A good start to the weekend, 075 waits departure time with the 1525 from Galway to Dublin on June 18th 1999
Friday 18th June
075 1525 Galway-Dublin GWY-PORT
078 1700 Dublin-Galway
217 1737 Dublin-Tralee PORT-BALLY
162 1900 Ballybrophy-Limerick BALLY-LIM
At Galway i left work as usual around 1430, at this time i was working alternate fortnights in Galway or Bedfordshire, so a good few weekend bashes were done! It was an unexpected surprise to see a real engine in 075 at the head of the 1525 Dublin whilst a pair of 121’s left with a lengthy timber train. We were checked at Ballinasloe for 20 odd minutes awaiting a late running 215 on the 1425 from Dublin. We then proceeded to storm through the lush country slowly regaining time. Many slacks between Tullamore and Portarlington slowed our progress considerably a single wagon frame hinting of a derailment some time before. The slack was to make us 20 late into Portarlington where 203 was waiting with the FO Ballina. A second surprise saw the 1700 Dublin-Galway arrive behind 078 making it very tempting to return to Galway.
Once onto the 2 Cravens and van making up the 1905 Ballybrophy-Limerick it was into a very different world. A quiet train, mile upon mile of unspoiled country albeit under a steel grey sky. The distinctive engine pitch and hoot of 162 adding to the scene as did the chatter and bustle at each station’s compliment of passengers got off. We were checked at Kilonan Jn presumably for 134 to pass on the last shuttle of the day and again approaching Limerick and into Jury’s.
Saturday 19th June
183 brings an engineers train into Portlaoise on June 19th 1999,
083 is super power for the 1010 Limerick – Waterford into the Jn via the back line on June 19th 1999
163 stabled at the Jn, June 19th 1999
221 at Cork with the 1210 Tralee service on June 19th 1999
162 0720 Limerick-Ballybrophy LIM-BALLY
Lim-083,204, 146, 166, 123/127
231 0805 Limerick-Dublin BALLY-PORT
213 0855 Dublin-Cork PORT-LIM J
183-phot 083 1010 Limerick-Waterford
172 1102 Limerick Jn-Limerick LIM J-LIM
PL 104 1139 Limerick-Limerick Jn RRS LIM-LIM J
163-phot
- 210 1045 Dublin-Limerick
214 1125 Dublin-Cork LIM J-MAL
175 1200 Tralee-Cork MALL-CORK
175 1515 Cork-Tralee CORK-MALL
220 1400 Tralee-Dublin MALL-PORT
LJ-133/135 fert, Thurles-168
172 1555 Limerick-Rosslare
- 134 1628 Limerick Jn-Limerick
- 162 1525 Limerick-Ballybrophy
234 1737 Dublin-Limerick (60 L due blow up) PORT-BALLY
162 1900 Ballybrophy-Limerick (1550/1547) BALLY-LIM
Lim-164,234,223,163,131,127,133,141
At Limerick on the stock small wisps of steam were still leaking through but the boiler, by now, had been turned off. By Castleconnel the rains had set in and the front coach was invaded by 20 or so cubs with a noise level which never wavered. The sun was glimpsed through thin cloud but a very low mist covered the Silvermine Mt. At Roscrea the driver got out to top up his teapot in time honored fashion, as was my ritualistic christening of the museum like Ballybrophy toilets.
At Portlaoise 183 was photted on a lengthy engineer’s train, the driver stopped for a chat with the road for 213 with 7 lightly loaded Cravens on the 0845 ex Cork. High speed main line running with this stock is always enjoyable whatever the power. With the weather brightening at the Jn it was a surprise to phot 083 arriving on the reversing line with 1010 Limerick-Waterford. Platform 1 had 172 with the 1102 to Limerick, this having arrived from Rosslare earlier. Once the Tralee had arrived it was wedged but at Limerick I was last aboard the 1139 RRS to the Jn. The 1205 was also was also a bus so it was VP104 in the book. I wandered if this was real engineering work
At the Jn there was 10 minute’s entertainment from jackdaws squabbling over the bread I’d given them, then the Limerick direct arrived behind 210 to terminate at the Jn with buses forward so this must have been real engineering work. Whilst 210 ran round 075 arrived on a freight from Waterford. The 1200 ex Tralee offered some mileage behind 175 from Mallow whilst a gleaming Cravens 1505 had a welcome 6-99 works date in the consist of a 200 hauled Cork-Tralee. A lengthy check outside Cork tunnel had some noisy German claiming “kaput” .Cork buffet soup then the luxury of being allowed onto the 1515 Tralee ungripped must be a record. 175 was still refueling at departure time so we were 10 late leaving.
On arrival at Mallow we were advised that as per the new Timetable that 175 would terminate and all would have to catch the Dublin-Tralee. With many justifiably confused passengers I escaped on a screaming 220 Northbound. The forecast heavy rains had set in by Portlaoise chip shop, I rushed back to cover the 1814 but this failed to produce an 071 and spirits dropped further when told of an ‘ hours wait’ because the 1737 had broken down at Cherry Orchard. Oh the joys of rail travel, waiting an hour in the basic Portlaoise waiting room with the rain lashing down outside.
58 minute’s down 234 arrived with a short rake of early Mk II’s with some awesome acceleration on departure. At Ballybrophy I opted for the front smoking coach in the hope of avoiding the returning Castleconnel cubs. Of course they opted for my coach and also to sit as near me as possible and this reduced the thrash sound potential till they detrained. 14 minutes were made up on the trip without a noticeably too fast running, the peace as we thrashed out of Castleconnel was pure heaven.
Sunday 20th June
210 arrives at Ballybrophy with the 1830 Dublin – Limerick service on June 20th 1999
167 at Ballybrophy with the 1945 to Limerick on June 20th 1999
VC 141 0920 Limerick-Limerick Jn RRS LIM-LIM J
231 0830 Dublin-Tralee LIM J-MALL
217 1050 Mallow-Cork MALL-CORK
2605} 1300 Cork-Cobh CORK-COBH
2606}
2606} 1330 Cobh-Cork COBH-CORK
2605}
- 221 1210 Cork-Tralee
217 1415 Cork-Dublin CORK-LIM J
134 1528 Limerick Jn-Ennis LIM J-LIM
- 230 1320 Dublin-Cork
Lim-131/141,123/123,162,163,154,146,166
172 1620 Limerick-Limerick Jn LIM-LIM J
172 1657 Limerick Jn-Limerick LIM J-LIM
167 1745 Limerick-Ballybrophy LIM-BALLY
- 210 1830 Dublin-Limerick-phot
167 1945 Ballybrophy-Limerick BALLY-LIM
The track through Dromkeen was getting a bit rare this weekend, as the 0920 from Limerick became a bus. At the Jn bursts of sun lit up the Galty Mts but with the wind howling across Limerick Jn I was glad when 231 eventually arrived joining Coach ‘Cu na Mara’ (7173) which was well fitted out, the cheerful gripper claiming it ‘was the newest coach on the main line’.
Last time I hit Mallow on a Sunday I was on an 071 and there was small power on the 1050. Today, both were 200’s and worse was to follow with 221 on the 1210 Tralee whilst 175 hovered on stock at the back. Cork was bright as always, so a nose round the docks saw 2 frigates, a retired ferry boat and a livestock ship.
A fill in move saw 2605/6 joined on the 1400 Cobh with seabirds a plenty on this varied Island journey. Near Fota a kestrel hovered undisturbed at coach level whilst Cobh itself during our 2 minute turnround saw our unit dwarfed by the ‘Crystal Symphony’ liner berthed alongside. The return journey saw wrong line working but the ancient CIE ‘please use opposite platform’ signs were missed by most delaying our progress further.
Because of the 70 late arrival of the service from Dublin 217 was used for the 1415. At the Jn i was pleased to be on 134 at last, 232 (my last one) arrived which was flagged off for the third time with shades of 47436. (47436 was the only EH duff i never had , i flagged it off 8 times, the last time at Preston for 85018 on a Glasgow…. )
. Limerick had 2 rakes of Cravens with 172 on the 1620 and 167 ready to work the 1745 Ballybrophy. 172 quickly ran round at the Jn but waiting connections here saw it leave 10 down and when checked at the first crossing I was in flap mode. 172 stormed in some style to make a plus 7 onto the Ballybrophy.
Past Kilonan Jn the weather brightened considerably with rainbows a plenty.. During the Ballybrophy run round another shower dug in to reduce the phot potential and it was the station footbridge that provided shelter from the storm. ‘Tis like a winter’s evening’ claimed the guard, the return run was quiet with the sun making it a memorable return journey though this jewel of a line. Monday June 21st
Morning sun illuminates 167 on the 0720 Limerick – Ballybrophy on June 21st 1999
167 0720 Limerick-Ballybrophy LIM-BALLY
Lim-163,162,161,141,232,151
232 0805 Limerick-Dublin BALLY-DUB
075 1100 Dublin-Galway DUB-GWY
Dub pilots-145,170,186
Tullamore-077 cm, 182 en
. Once checked out it was brisk walk to the station where a last minute sprint from a prospective passenger made the 0700 DUB just as the whistle was blown. Although it was bright and being the longest day it was cool enough for the steam heating boiler to remain on for half n hour into the journey.
The front coach behind 167 was reserved and after Saturday’s experience I opted for the second coach. At Castleconnel 50 or so screaming kids joined on a day out to Dublin Zoo. By Nenagh our coach was standing room only in our coach, few daring to brave the front coach. Unusually for the Ballybrophy both Southern and Northern English non basher accents could be heard. At Bally the kids were all moved to the front and the locals moved instinctively to the back. As viewed at Limerick the thrice flagged off, my last of the class for haulage in 232 soon arrived to put in a screaming run to DUB. Pilots here were 145/170/186 and with the stock in and loading by 1020 and content with a good morning I settled down into laptop mood. With 200’s everywhere I was extremely pleased when 075 of Friday’s fame backed on.
075 stopped outside Inichore but was soon back into noisy mode for a memorable mileage move. Tullamore was busy with 077 on Cements and 182 on an Engineer’s train. Clara’s platform less loop had a dull 220 on the mid morning departure from Galway. From Athlone our driver knotched up for a 90 plus storm whilst the first black clouds of the day could be seen in the West.
At rural Woodlawn our driver stopped after a burst of full power as 4 locals ran for the train, we had departed a minute early which for Woodlawn is nothing new. A fast cab saw me at work just before 2.
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