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Photos from the tour are online to view at :
https://its.smugmug.com/Railtours/2...ne-Explorer-Saturday-7th-April-2018/i-nhs7Z3J
'Branchline Explorer'
Locomotives used: 071, 074 , 086
On Saturday 7th April 2018, The RPSI Dublin Operations operated the 'Branchline Explorer' originating in Dublin, visiting Waterford, Limerick & Ballybrophy via Carlow, Cahir and Nenagh.
Saturday morning, the train departed from Connolly Station on time, with Retro liveried Loco No.071 at the helm. With Driver Keiron Meehan of Heuston Depot alongside D.T.E. Tony Cooke, we head south as far as Cherryville, calling at Kildare to pick up, before then heading south east to Waterford calling at Athy, Carlow & Muine Bheag. Before arriving at Waterford, we crossed the 1100 passenger from Waterford to Dublin at Ballyhale where we also had a crew change with the Heuston crew going back, and Waterford based Nicky Doyle, taking over for the last few miles to Waterford (Plunkett). Arrival at Plunkett, and we uncoupled 071, while 074 came from Sally Park Yard and coupled to the rear for the 1215 departure to Limerick.
Departing Plunkett for Limerick, Westport Guard Noel Enright gave us the 'right away' for an time departure, calling at Carrick On Suir, Clonmel & Cahir on the way for pictures. At Limerick Junction Pocket Loop, we had another driver change, where Nicky was relieved by Mike Heaney of Limerick Depot. Following this, we were unusually held whilst our path had us booked to run onto Limerick. It turned out due to regulating irregularities, we were then held to let the 1440 Limerick Junction / Limerick Colbert, passenger, operate ahead of us. This incurred us a 25 minute delay by the time we reached Limerick.
At Limerick, the train was lifted from the platform by 086 and hauled to the yard to water the carriages while 074 also ran to the yard and stabled. Departing Limerick at 1609, 44 minutes down, we headed for Ballybrophy via Nenagh, stopping in Birdhill & Cloughjordan on route.
At Ballybrophy, we ran into the bay platform, where Heuston Driver Niall Dunne met us to take over the final leg of the trip. The train was then shunted out of the bay platform to the mainline before heading south to Thurles Loop, where 086 run round for the final time of the day. The train then was held in Thurles station for a period to allow the 1820 Cork / Heuston go ahead of us, but then we departed at 2005, 35 minutes down, for Dublin Connolly, non stop.
Despite some late running, the tour was another great success with all monies raised from the day, going into the '134 fund' for the overhaul of the locomotive to bring it back to the mainline.
https://its.smugmug.com/Railtours/2...ne-Explorer-Saturday-7th-April-2018/i-nhs7Z3J
'Branchline Explorer'
Locomotives used: 071, 074 , 086
On Saturday 7th April 2018, The RPSI Dublin Operations operated the 'Branchline Explorer' originating in Dublin, visiting Waterford, Limerick & Ballybrophy via Carlow, Cahir and Nenagh.
Saturday morning, the train departed from Connolly Station on time, with Retro liveried Loco No.071 at the helm. With Driver Keiron Meehan of Heuston Depot alongside D.T.E. Tony Cooke, we head south as far as Cherryville, calling at Kildare to pick up, before then heading south east to Waterford calling at Athy, Carlow & Muine Bheag. Before arriving at Waterford, we crossed the 1100 passenger from Waterford to Dublin at Ballyhale where we also had a crew change with the Heuston crew going back, and Waterford based Nicky Doyle, taking over for the last few miles to Waterford (Plunkett). Arrival at Plunkett, and we uncoupled 071, while 074 came from Sally Park Yard and coupled to the rear for the 1215 departure to Limerick.
Departing Plunkett for Limerick, Westport Guard Noel Enright gave us the 'right away' for an time departure, calling at Carrick On Suir, Clonmel & Cahir on the way for pictures. At Limerick Junction Pocket Loop, we had another driver change, where Nicky was relieved by Mike Heaney of Limerick Depot. Following this, we were unusually held whilst our path had us booked to run onto Limerick. It turned out due to regulating irregularities, we were then held to let the 1440 Limerick Junction / Limerick Colbert, passenger, operate ahead of us. This incurred us a 25 minute delay by the time we reached Limerick.
At Limerick, the train was lifted from the platform by 086 and hauled to the yard to water the carriages while 074 also ran to the yard and stabled. Departing Limerick at 1609, 44 minutes down, we headed for Ballybrophy via Nenagh, stopping in Birdhill & Cloughjordan on route.
At Ballybrophy, we ran into the bay platform, where Heuston Driver Niall Dunne met us to take over the final leg of the trip. The train was then shunted out of the bay platform to the mainline before heading south to Thurles Loop, where 086 run round for the final time of the day. The train then was held in Thurles station for a period to allow the 1820 Cork / Heuston go ahead of us, but then we departed at 2005, 35 minutes down, for Dublin Connolly, non stop.
Despite some late running, the tour was another great success with all monies raised from the day, going into the '134 fund' for the overhaul of the locomotive to bring it back to the mainline.
