Minilad
Established Member
I have never before travelled on a train in The Southern part of the island of Ireland so thanks to a £19.90 return on Ryanair from BHX I thought it was about time I sampled what it has to offer.
I wanted the day to include a lot of variety but the emphasis on loco hauled so I formulated a little plan.
First off 350109 and 235 took me to International and the short monorail trip to the airport. Security was passed in 10 mins and I was airside at BHX only 30 mins after leaving my house. Flight was uneventful and I am pleased to announce the Ryanair trumpet is still a thing!
Upon arrival the first thing is source a visitor leap card for the bus into Dublin and a few tram leaps. I have a free coupon for all the train travel. 10 lighter and I get on a bus for the first time in years!
Journey was quick to Connolly but then slow to Hueston but I did get there in time to have a bit of a LUAS leap. 3008 to Busaras and 3022 back the other way. I was still in good time for my first Irish train trip. 222 on the 1100 Dublin - Cork. My intention was to do this to Portlaoise for a unit back to Dublin. The train back was booked to depart at 1220 but at 1215 or so an announcement was made that the next arrival was non stop to Dublin. Imagine my surprise when 229 on a Cork - Dublin service stopped and opened its doors. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth I jumped on. Apparently the train had to make an unscheduled stop at Portlaoise because someone was taken ill on the train and needed medical attention. Someone's misfortune was my gain.
I found the loco hauled stock to be quite pleasant. Nice big drop down tables in airline seats easily big enough for a laptop. The ride was a bit rough in places though.
So two locos in the book I jumped on the LUAS again 3002 took me to Connolly for a bit of DART action. 8322/8337 and 8335 took me the mile or so to Dublin Pearse. I quite like the DARTs to be honest so had 8621/8623 back to Tara Street before jumping on my first unit 29007 which was following behind. Back at Connolly I had a bite to eat before 228 on the 1520 Enterprise service took me to Drogheda. I did like the layout of the coaches on this. Nice seating with large tables. By the time I got to Drogheda it was absolutely throwing it down so I was glad I only had 10 mins or so before taking 29014and 29020 back to Connolly. Functional units these. Wish I had travelled on a 22 class unit for comparison. I would have, of course, if that pesky loco hauled hadn't turned up at Portlaoise.
Arrival back in Connolly around 5 so another LUAS leap. This time 4002 took me back to Hueston and then the bus again to the airport.
Most enjoyable day indeed. The flight back was marred slightly by having 6 middle aged Welsh women sit behind me who felt it necessary to screech, cackle, shout and such like for the entire 40 min flight. Thank god for headphones. All that was left was 350128 and 257 to return me to Berkswell and a very satisfying day was concluded.
A few pics are on my flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/xcdrichard/ along with other assorted rail pics
I wanted the day to include a lot of variety but the emphasis on loco hauled so I formulated a little plan.
First off 350109 and 235 took me to International and the short monorail trip to the airport. Security was passed in 10 mins and I was airside at BHX only 30 mins after leaving my house. Flight was uneventful and I am pleased to announce the Ryanair trumpet is still a thing!
Upon arrival the first thing is source a visitor leap card for the bus into Dublin and a few tram leaps. I have a free coupon for all the train travel. 10 lighter and I get on a bus for the first time in years!
Journey was quick to Connolly but then slow to Hueston but I did get there in time to have a bit of a LUAS leap. 3008 to Busaras and 3022 back the other way. I was still in good time for my first Irish train trip. 222 on the 1100 Dublin - Cork. My intention was to do this to Portlaoise for a unit back to Dublin. The train back was booked to depart at 1220 but at 1215 or so an announcement was made that the next arrival was non stop to Dublin. Imagine my surprise when 229 on a Cork - Dublin service stopped and opened its doors. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth I jumped on. Apparently the train had to make an unscheduled stop at Portlaoise because someone was taken ill on the train and needed medical attention. Someone's misfortune was my gain.
I found the loco hauled stock to be quite pleasant. Nice big drop down tables in airline seats easily big enough for a laptop. The ride was a bit rough in places though.
So two locos in the book I jumped on the LUAS again 3002 took me to Connolly for a bit of DART action. 8322/8337 and 8335 took me the mile or so to Dublin Pearse. I quite like the DARTs to be honest so had 8621/8623 back to Tara Street before jumping on my first unit 29007 which was following behind. Back at Connolly I had a bite to eat before 228 on the 1520 Enterprise service took me to Drogheda. I did like the layout of the coaches on this. Nice seating with large tables. By the time I got to Drogheda it was absolutely throwing it down so I was glad I only had 10 mins or so before taking 29014and 29020 back to Connolly. Functional units these. Wish I had travelled on a 22 class unit for comparison. I would have, of course, if that pesky loco hauled hadn't turned up at Portlaoise.
Arrival back in Connolly around 5 so another LUAS leap. This time 4002 took me back to Hueston and then the bus again to the airport.
Most enjoyable day indeed. The flight back was marred slightly by having 6 middle aged Welsh women sit behind me who felt it necessary to screech, cackle, shout and such like for the entire 40 min flight. Thank god for headphones. All that was left was 350128 and 257 to return me to Berkswell and a very satisfying day was concluded.
A few pics are on my flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/xcdrichard/ along with other assorted rail pics