A three day trip to Ireland, taking in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Myself and Chris Wakeman (Bungle) flew from Birmingham, and met Chris's friend Mike over there.
If anyone can help add headcodes/train IDs, please email me, or leave a comment. Thanks.
DAY 1: Thursday 8th January, 2009
Upon arrival at Connelly there was time for a wander before catching the 11:00 Enterprise for Belfast, so we took a walk to the stabling point adjacent to the station, where preserved steam locomotive No. 186 was sat:
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No. 186 is a J15 Class locomotive, built for the Great Southern & Western Railway in Manchester, England by Sharp, Stewart & Co. in 1879. The 0-6-0 locomotive was withdrawn in 1964, and preserved by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland the next year. Here she stands at Dublin Connolly. 08/01/2009
There was nothing else in the yard unfortunately so there was time to grab some grub then onto the Enterprise, hauled by General Motors built Co-Co number 8208 River Lagan, one of the NIR owned Class 208 locos (IE Class 201). We had an uneventful run north to Belfast Central, where we arrived in time to catch the 13:12 Class 450 'Thumper' to Carrickfergus, which was formed of power car 8454 Carrickfergus Castle, with trailer car 8794 and driving trailer 8784. These units sound excellent, it's just a shame they bear more than a passing resemblance, both internally and externally, to a British Class 150!
The plan upon reaching Carrickfergus was to fester for 30 minutes before catching the following unit to Larne, but a quick check of the timetable revealed we could re-board the same train back one stop to Clipperstown and still be able to catch the next northbound service - this was duly accomplished, and at Clipperstown we boarded 8455 Galgorm Castlealong with 8785/8795 for the scenic trip to Larne Town. The train carries on to Larne Harbour, but we elected to bail so we could get a photo of the train rounding the curve into the station on it's return:
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The NIR Class 450 DEMUs were built between 1985-7 by BREL at Derby, using Mk3 bodyshells (hence the similar appearance to BR Class 150s) on redundant Mk1 underframes. The power units were salvaged from 8 scrapped NIR Class 70s, and a Class 80. In this view power car 8455 leads the formation as it approaches Larne Town heading South. 08/01/2009
Photos in the bag, we jumped back on the train for the run South to Belfast Central, chatting to a friendly P-Way gang for much of the journey.
At Belfast Central, there was just time to grab some more snacks before boarding a wedged 16:12 Londonderry train, formed of 3-piece CAF unit 3015. Built from 2004-5, the C3K Class trains are known almost universally as 'CAFs' after their Spanish manufacturer. Bungle's friend Mike joined us at Antrim for the run up to Coleraine, where we bailed to await the 17:40 Coleraine-Portrush branch line train, which was formed of Class 450 power car 8456, along with 8786 and 8796 - this was duly caught all the way (all 12 minutes) to the resort town of Portrush:
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The branch from Coleraine to Portrush is worked in the main by a single Class 450 DEMU, supplemented by the occasional peak-time through train from/to Belfast, usually worked by a CAF C3K Class. When a unit swap is needed for maintenance etc, the branch train will usually work a service train South, and vice versa. Power car 8456 is seen here at the seaside terminus, shortly after arrival with the 17:40 Coleraine-Portrush. 08/01/2009
A quick vote decided it was time for some proper food, so off we set into the town to find a chippy. Which was shut. Arse...
Luckily we found a pizza/indian/kebab joint and get some fodder from there, before returning to the station to await the next train to Coleraine, the 18:43 Portrush-Coleraine, which was formed of CAF 3017. The guard turns out to be a sodding bus enthusiast, whom Bungle knows, so Mike and I have to endure 12 minutes of bus froth before we escaped at Coleraine... It's then a 30 minute wait for the 19:28 Belfast train, which is 3015 again, returning South a lot emptier than before.
Mike bailed at Antrim, and Bungle and I continued to Belfast Central, where we comfortably made our connection, 3014 on the 20:56 to Bangor, where we had a twin room booked at a B+B. (See bottom of article)
DAY 1: Thursday 8th January 2009
Type |Time |From |To |ID/Route |Operator |Vehicle/Loco
Plane |07:55 |Birmingham |Dublin |FR663 |Ryanair |EI-CTB
Bus | |Dublin Airport |Drumcondra Sta. |41 |Dublin Bus |AX634
Train |10:17 |Drumcondra |Dublin Connolly | |IE |29117/217/317/417
Train |11:00 |Dublin Connolly |Belfast Central | |IE/NIR |8208
Train |13:12 |Belfast Central |Carrickfergus | |NIR |8454/8784/8794
Train |14:00 |Carrickfergus |Clipperstown | |NIR |8454/8784/8794
Train |14:07 |Clipperstown |Larne Town | |NIR |8455/8785/8795
Train |15:00 |Larne Town |Belfast Central | |NIR |8455/8785/8795
Train |16:10 |Belfast Central |Coleraine | |NIR |3015
Train |17:40 |Coleraine |Portrush | |NIR |8456/8786/8796
Train |18:43 |Portrush |Coleraine | |NIR |3017
Train |19:28 |Coleraine |Belfast Central | |NIR |3015
Train |20:56 |Belfast Central |Bangor | |NIR |3014
DAY 2: Friday 9th January, 2009
The second day of our trip, and it was an early start as we had to catch the 06:00 Bangor-Belfast Central. Somehow we made at, and we were greeted at the platform by CAF 3007. The plan was to get the 06:50 Enterprise service as far as Portadown, with the aim of catching the 07:50 commuter service back, which should have been formed of a NIR Class 111 locomotive with Mk2f coaches (ex BR Gatwick Express stock). However on arrival at Belfast Central we learned that the set had failed at York Road works and a 3-piece CAF DMU had worked ECS to Portadown in it's place. Arse - again.
We boarded the Enterprise anyway, which had IE Class 201 locomotive at the helm (or more accurately, at the rear), and travelled to Dundalk, just over the border. Whilst waiting for the return service back to Belfast, a few photos were taken as it got light:
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With the arrival of IE's new Class 22000 'Rotem' Intercity DMUs, built by Hitachi, a number of Mk3 loco-hauled coaches are now redundant. 16 of these coaches were stored in the Down Sidings at Dundalk in July 2008. Generator van 7612 (left) and Restaurant car 7401 head up 2 lines of stored Mk3 coaches at Dundalk. 09/01/2009
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Another of the stored Mk3 vehicles at Dundalk is this First Class coach, 7156, with 'City Gold' branding. 09/01/2009
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This signal cabin can be found at the northern end of Dundalk's island platform. Now out of use, it is occasionally opened up for visitors. 09/01/2009
At 08:30 our train to Belfast arrived, hauled by dud NIR loco 8208. Heading north the morning light revealed it was going to be a miserable day - a complete contrast to the clear skies of yesterday...
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NIR own two Class 208 General Motors built locomotives, which are idential to IE's Class 201 locos. Here 8208 River Lagan stands at Belfast Central, having just arrived with the 07:35 departure from Dublin Connolly. 09/01/2009
At Belfast Bungle and I headed to Belfast Great Victoria Street to get a few photos, catching CAF 3007 (again) on the 10:00 from Belfast Central for the short trip round the corner. we alighted at platform 3, and decided the opposite island platforms 1/2 would make for better shots - so off we went. We got about 10 yards up the platform before Ada decided we were potential terrorists and had a rant, making us report to the Duty Inspector. He had no problem with our presence, and vindicated, off we went, only for Ada to follow a few minutes later, still ranting... However a short chat and production of our British railway staff ID placated her, and we chatted for 10 minutes or so. We did at least get a couple of photos:
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Old and new together: Class 450 power car 8451 Belfast Castle stands in platform 1 at Belfast's Great Victoria Street station, next to CAF DMU 3001. 09/01/2009
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Class 450 DEMU power car 8451 heads up a train in platform 1 at Belfast Great Victoria Street. 09/01/2009
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C3K Class CAF DMU 3003 arrives at Belfast Great Victoria Street, routed into platform 3. 09/01/2009
We stayed around half an hour, long enough for a couple of arrivals/departures, before heading back to Belfast Central on board 3001, which was forming the 10:40 service to Londonderry. Just as well we caught that - on the approach to Central, Bungle got a phone call from Mike who had just seen a Class 111 loco and some Gatwick stock heading our way. We made it with moments to spare:
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Built in 1980 (111 and 112) and 1984 (113) by General Motors in Canada, the NIR Class 111 locomotives are identical to the older IE Class 071 locos. Number 111 Great Northern pauses at Belfast Central, en route from York Road to Adelaide Carriage Sidings to swap a pair of defective vehicles. 09/01/2009
That'll be the pair of coaches that bowled us earlier that morning then - thanks...
With that in the bag, we had time to kill before our train to Dublin, so we took the 11:12 Larne Harbour train as far as Greenisland. This was formed of dud Class 450 8455, with trailers 8785 and 8795. At Greenisland we had only a short wait for our return train to Belfast Central, the 11:39 formed of 8458/8788/8798:
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The driving trailer end looks even more like a BR Class 150! 8788 leads 8798 and power car 8458 on the approach to Greenisland with a Belfast-bound service. 09/01/2009
We returned to Belfast Central, and having grabbed some supplies met Mike on board the 12:30 Befast Central-Dublin Connolly Enterprise service, pushed once again by IE's 233:
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Nameplate and number detail of IE Class 201 number 233 Abhainn na Chlair/River Clare, stodd at Belfast Central. 09/01/2009
Another quick vote was taken on arrival at Dublin Connolly - which led to a visit to North Wall freight yard, about a 10 minute away, via Connolly's stabling point.
At the stabling point we found IE's 171, one of 37 Class 141s built by General Motors in the early 1960s:
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IE Class 141 number 171 stands at the stabling point at Dublin Connolly. 09/01/2009
Unfortunately no locos were present at North Wall, however a few general photos were taken:
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A general view of the yard at North Wall. 09/01/2009
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A number of Mk3 carriages are in storage at North Wall. 8 vehicles can be seen here, with standard class coach 6201 closest to the camera. 09/01/2009
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To the left of the coaching stock are more sidings, and the spur onto the quay area, which runs along a road. 09/01/2009
From North Wall it is a short walk back to the new Docklands station, where we caught the number 90 bus to Dublin Heuston station (service 90 is free to holders of through rail tickets).
From Heuston we were to travel on the 16:15 Fridays Only service to Ballina, which was formed of 5 Mk3 coaches, with a generator van. Our loco was to be Class 201 number 204Abhainn na Bearu/River Barrow:
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IE Class 201 Co-Co number 204 arrives at platform 2 at Dublin Heuston, to hook on to the stock which should have formed the 16:15 Balina service. New 'Rotem' DMU 22016 is stood at platform 1. These units are responsible for the dramatic decline in loco-hauled services in the Republic of Ireland in recent years. 09/01/2009
However, 20 minutes after our scheduled departure time, after much activity around the loco and front couple of coaches, it was clear we were going nowhere, and we were advised to cross the station and board the 17:10 Athlone service. This we did, and 204 eventually followed. Eventually it was decided that the 17:10 would run as booked, with 204 at the helm, as far as Athlone, and would then be extended to Ballina. So nearly an hour late, we eventually got underway!
One advantage of being late, is that we were held at Roscommon to wait for a Dublin-bound train to clear the single track section, meaning a chance for photos:
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IE Class 201 number 204 stands in the platform at Roscommon, whilst waiting for the single line to clear to the next station, Castlerea. 09/01/2009
After a 20 minute wait we were under way once more, and arrived at Ballina around 21:10, about 70 minutes late:
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IE 204 stands at the terminus at Ballina, shortly before running round the stock. This train, which should have been the 16:15 from Dublin Heuston, is one of several busy Friday Only trains for which a number of Mk3 coaches are retained by IE. 09/01/2009
Ballina was our destination for the evening so the three of us took a short walk to our accomodation for the night, a charming B+B about 5 minutes walk down the road (See bottom of article). We checked in, then wandered into town in search of a Chinese takeaway - lovely!
DAY 2: Friday 9th January 2009
Type |Time |From |To |ID/Route |Operator |Vehicle/Loco
Train |06:00 |Bangor |Belfast Central | |NIR |3007
Train |06:50 |Belfast Central |Dundalk | |NIR/IE |233
Train |08:30 |Dundalk |Belfast Central | |IE/NIR |8208
Train |10:00 |Belfast Central |Belfast Gt Vic | |NIR |3007
Train |10:40 |Belfast Gt Vic |Belfast Central | |NIR |3001
Train |11:12 |Belfast Central |Greenisland | |NIR |8455/8785/8795
Train |14:07 |Greenisland |Belfast Central | |NIR |8458/8788/8798
Train |12:30 |Belfast Central |Dublin Connolly | |NIR/IE |233
Bus | |Dublin Con. Sta.|Dublin Heu Sta. |90 |Dublin Bus |AV360
Train |16:15 |Dublin Heuston |Ballina | |IE |204
DAY 3: Saturday 10th January, 2009
The final day of our three day trip. Another early start as Bungle, Mike and I had to get the 06:50 departure from Ballina to Manulla Jn - miss that and it's several hours until the next one! First things first though - we sat down to a tasty breakfast at the B+B, then had a wander to the station for our train:
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The Ballina to Manulla Junction shuttle service only runs 3 times a day, with the 30 minute journey timed to arrive just before the connecting Westport-Dublin service. Formed of 2 coaches, 2607 and 2608, the latter leads shortly before departure from Ballina with the 06:50 to Manulla Junction. 10/01/2009
At Manulla Junction it was just a short wait before our train on drew in - the 07:22 to Dublin Heuston, which we would catch as far as Athlone. This train was formed of one of the new Class 22000 'Rotem' units, brought in by IE to replace many of the loco-hauled trains in the country. 22037 was the unit concerned, a 6-piece set. I must say I was impressed with the train - at least when compared with equivalent units on the British mainland. I t was good to see seats which, almost without exception as far as I could see, lined up with the windows! The toilets didn't score quite so highly in my view though - in the ;Accessible' toilet which I used, the toilet paper was located in such a position that when sitting you have to twist your body and reach behind you - very awkward. That aside, the units seem comfortable, and fairly quiet for a modern DMU.
On the approach to Athlone, we spotted IE Class 071 number 072, stabled a short distance to the East of the station, and as we had a little over an hour for our next train, we decided to see if it was phottable. Unfortunatley this was the best I could do:
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IE Class 071 number 072 stabled just to the East of Athlone station. The eighteen 071s, built by General Motors in 1976 are identical to NIR's three Class 111 locomotives, and wer displaced from passenger duties by Class 201 locos. 10/01/2009
Disappointed we strolled back to the station to photograph the next Eastbound service - the 09:54 Westport service, formed of 22034:
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Class 22000 'Rotem' unit 22034 arrives at Athlone with the 09:54 departure to Westport. 10/01/2009
Then it was time to once again stock up on snacks before awaiting the arrival of our train, the 10:13 departure to Dublin Heuston, which turned up with Class 201 number 203 Abhainn na Coiribe/River Corrib at the helm:
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In crap weather, 203 leads her train across pointwork at Athlone with the slightly delayed 10:13 to Dublin Heuston. 10/01/2009
Even though I knew that Irish Mk3s were built in Derby, at the same time as British Mk3 coaches, I was still suprised by the similarity internally between the vehicles of the two countries - apart from some differences in the vestibules, hand dryers in the toilets, and obviously the sliding plug doors, they are virtually identical inside.
Arrival at Heuston gave us plenty of time before our planned next move, the 13:25 to Thurles, so we had time for some photos. First up, was the station pilot, Class 141 number 146, which was bringing in some stock at the platform next to the one we arrived on:
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Having just propelled a rake of Mk3 coaching stock into the platform at Dublin Heuston, IE Class 141 number 146 waits to be uncoupled. The 37 locomotives of this class were built in the early 1960s by General Motors. 10/01/2009
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Once uncoupled, 146 wastes no time, and just a few moments after the last photo was taken is seen heading for it's next duty. 10/01/2009
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Nameplate and number detail on IE Class 201 number 203 Abhainn na Coiribe/River Corrib. 10/01/2009
On checking we found that our intended train, the 13:25 which we were catching as far as Thurles, was a mouldy Class 22000 DMU - Arse - yet again. This was supposed to have been our last train of the weekend formed of Mk3s. Oh well - an alternative was quickly worked out, and we decided to get the 14:00 Cork train, formed of Mk4s, which would still get us there in time for the return train. With an extra 35 minutes to kill, I decided it was time to get some souvenirs, so we caught a bus into the tourist trap district, before getting a taxi back to the station.
Just had time to photograph on of the Mk3 driving trailers, before jumping on our mark 4 set, hauled by 201 number 215 An Abhainn Mhor/River Avonmore:
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Mk3 driving trailer, number 6101 stands at Dublin Heuston platform 6. 10/01/2009
And so we were off to Thurles. I was less impressed with the Mk4s - the seats were hard, and many weren't aligned with the windows. Nevertheless, they are still loco-hauled stock, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much....
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IE Class 201 number 215 departs Thurles with a train bound for Cork, formed of Mk4 coaching stock. 10/01/2009
The weather took a turn for the worse (again) whilst we awaited the return train, the 15:46 back to Dublin Heuston hauled by Class 201 number 224 Abhainn na Feile/River Feale.
At Heuston there was just time to grab a Swirl from the ice cream concession on the station (I'm addicted) then it was off to the bus stop to catch the 90 across town to Connolly station. The intention was to catch the 17:47 train to Drumcondra, and then the cheap bus to the airport, but after saying goodbye to Mike again and legging it halfway to Belfast to get to the platform, we missed it... so... back to the station entrance, where we walked round the corner and ended up chinging €6 each for the bus after all. That figures...
Anyway, we made it to the airport in plenty of time for our 20:00 flight back to Birmingham, which had also cost a quid each. Wish I could say the flight was comfortable, but it was bumpy as a rutted cart track - I blame those holes in the ozone layer myself. Not good for someone who hates flying...
DAY 3: Saturday 10th January 2009
Type |Time |From |To |ID/Route |Operator |Vehicle/Loco
Train |06:50 |Ballina |Manulla Junction| |IE |2607/2608
Train |07:22 |Manulla Junction|Athlone | |IE |22037
Train |10:13 |Athlone |Dublin Heuston | |IE |203
Bus | |Dublin Heu. Sta.|Temple Bar 90 | |Dublin Bus |AV360
Taxi | |Temple Bar |Dublin Heu. Sta.| | |
Train |14:00 |Dublin Heuston |Thurles | |IE |215
Train |15:46 |Thurles |Dublin Heuston | |IE |224
Bus | |Dublin Heu. Sta.|Dublin Heu. Sta.|90 |Dublin Bus |AV359
Bus | |Dublin Con. Sta.|Dublin Airport |747 |Dublin Bus |AV127
Plane |20:00 |Dublin |Birmingham |FR668 |Ryanair |EI-DCR
The End... for now!
I'm off to Northern Ireland again next month - I still need 2 locos and 7 units for sight, and a mile or 3 of track!
Hotel Gen
Bangor: Bungle and I spent 1 night in a twin room at Ennislare Guesthouse, about a 5 minute walk from the station. Room was clean and spacious, en suite. We left too early to have breakfast but we were invited to help ourselves in the kitchen before we left - only trouble was we couldn't find the lightswitch... Room cost £50 between the two of us.
3.5 out of 5
Ballina: Bungle, Mike and I between us had a twin room and a single room at New Lodge B+B, a 4 or 5 minute walk away from the station. The rooms were extremely comfortable, clean and homely, and en suite. The owners were more than willing to provide a nice breakfast at 06:00. Twin room cost €60 between two of us, single room cost €40.
4.5 out of 5
