The Emerald Isle Explorer June 2016

Hadn't realised that - UKSteam had been showing return to Euston by 60103 until today. There'll have to be a light/ECS move to get 60103 down to Victoria for the 25th, then?

 

Nice photo of Scotsman crossing the Roodee viaduct in Chester in my local paper the Liverpool Echo. Unfortunately, two numpties were caught in the photo. They were either side of one of the end parapets taking photos.

 

I assume this toes up with the RPSI tour this weekend? I shall be out for my first view of 2-6-4t no 4 .


edit should read ties in, but I feel I may have invented a new bit of the English Language there, so I'm not editing it

 

No4 leaving Charleville Co Corkafter a brief water stop (I'd say she's full wouldn't you?)

 

Nice set of a fine loco.

 

Clearly showing her parentage








No4 came up from Cork this morning to run round at Mallow and head west for Killarney, coaled and watered during the run round. So well to time that I missed getting a photo of her in Rathmore although I arrived in time to se her pass

 

AT speed between Rathduff and Mourne Abbey

 

AT Banteer

 

Having enjoyed last year's Explorer I would have liked to have done this year's for the variety of locos and routes but, sadly, couldn't make it this time.
Nice to see what I'm missing.

 

Mallow is a great place to get an unimpeded shot, unfortunately it involves putting the camera and your arms through the pallisade railways...a little uncomfortable but at least Joe Public aren't in the way

 

I wonder whether the train stewards are still encouraging passengers to look out of the droplights this year?

 

ah well they do get a little enthusiastic. One told me to be careful at Charleville as a train was due shortly (it wasn't) when I was on a completely different platform.

 

Window hanging on last year's International Tour wasn't a problem last year was it. Head out of the window as 85 blazed away on the climb from Poyntzpass was a memorable experience.

 

most heads I saw were in the support coach. The clientele on board are not really gricers I'd guess.....well loaded though

 

No 4 hiballing past Banteer in the first shot and being serviced and stabled for the night in Mallow. 221 took the train on to Cork for the night

 

This morning leaving Mallow for home...I didn't go an further as it was lashing softness at me

 

I wonder why they didn't have steam into Cork?
Last year we didn't have any diesel except one way on the optional Belfast trip.

 

It did run to Cork on Friday night and they had to lighten the consist by a coach on Saturday due to the gradients on the Up road from Cork.. I believe this is why they started from mallow today, in order to run the entire train home. (see my post 28)

 

Seems Mallow attracts softness. Was a very soft day when we went from there to Killarney on the International Tour last year.
I have got to get me some Jeep haulage.