Irish Narrow Gauge Railways

This is very incorrect, For the accuracy of record I personally inspected the loco with Mr. Patrick Keef (who has vast experience look at the new build lyn) we saw the crack between the boiler barrel and the firebox.....the firebox dates back to at least 1900 and is worn out and needs substantial work so the Council's figures are accurate.

 

I strongly contest such a statement....Please see attached Youtube link to what we do at Stradbally which I would strongly recommend you visit Felix, we have volunteers from as far away as Dublin and Waterford who come regularly. Currently I am passed Guard and training Fireman at stradbally, along with a PW/training diesel driver volunteer at the Cavan & Leitrim.







As said member above will know I would love to know if he is an active member of any society actually doing progressive work such as PW, maintaining a steam loco, restoring diesels loco, platform duties...I think not I....perhaps the armchair is more comfortable for some people?

 

You are out of date. 5t was inspected by the RPSIs boiler maker and the barrel and inner firebox were found to be excellent and there is a crack in the throat plate which is steel and can be cut out and replaced. I was there.

 

I already recommended he does exactly as you suggest,see post 27

 

RG I think this is an appropriate word of advice " people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".............your comments here and on other forums knocking off several if not all ROI operations, all of which are hardworking, dedicated organisations that survive with a severe lack of funding, have been noted by active volunteers and management.

re. 5T my information is that of Patrick Keef who has had a full detailed report on the loco which included multiple inspections not just one visit, the engine was put through some severe running after the T&D on the C&L section, and for the T&B was only patched but was done by the excellent workmen of the NYMR. Although 5T is currently still in pieces..........in any event.

 

did you even read post 27? try post no 2 too

I can't comment on why a commercial organisation would say a new boiler was needed. All I know is the quote RPSI , a volunteer society, gave for repairing the boiler. I no longer have access to the report, otherwise I'd show you.

 

While I don't disagree with you RG, I think we have to try and look at it from an insurance point of view, I have not seen any photos of the boiler, but I do trust Patrick as I have known him for over 20 years, if there was a way that he could save the boiler he would.

The last time I looked the pressure vessel regulations have been tighten up even more since the boiler explosion in America a few years ago, so they now tend to er on the side of caution, there could be also sort of reasons why it has been suggested that No5 needs a new boiler, If the local council wishes to rebuild the railway and open it up again, it might be one of the points to obtain more money for the project, I understand how councils work, I am not saying there is a fiddle going on, but the thinking would go along these lines, you want to run a steam railway that's OK, so you are going to use an old steam loco? enter council insurance executive officer, just how much is the boiler going to cost to get repaired? lets say £50,000 and what sort of insurance cover are we going to have?

Councils do not like surprises and should No5's old Boiler explode and kill some one then the council is going to be liable for any costs and some one is going to lose there job, not a very nice situation to find your self in. Could it happen? Yes it could, but not if you have experienced crews and this is yet another problem, where do they come from in that part of Ireland?

For what it is worth, I think it is all down to the risk assessment that has been carried out and the council have said no we will go with a new boiler as that can be insured and will have a guarantee via a coded welder. It is now a case of covering ones ass this and age as heritage does not come into the equation any more for this sort of operation.

That said should the council not be able to obtain the money then No5 will continue to rust to bits, as from what I can make out of all of this, I don't think they want anyone else to come in and make a go of it, which to me is very short sighted. Get the right team in there and I am sure you could see much more of the old T&DLR open again and it also generating a few new jobs as well.

 

all I can do is repeat that the RPSI quoted for it's repair and they run their locos on Irish mainlines all the time and the guy who carried out the inspection is the most respected boiler smith in Ireland.

I don't think it's helpful for you to speculate what the Council may be thinking The quote from Keefs was some years ago now and I doubt that the Council have even considered what they will do yet, They actually had two suggestions: installing a diesel engine (I assume they have got confused by 5T originally being built for oil firing) or putting it in a glass case.

As I said just a few posts ago, opening more of the line is impossible. The line beyond Blennerville ran at the roadside and the road has been widened since and many many houses built alongside it.

 

Latest news I hear is that the Tralee and Dingle project has been shelved by owners Kerry Co Council until 2019.

I'm not involved anymore and pretty glad I pulled out when I did. Heartbreaking, I can't see this ever happening.

 

Very great shame. Just as well I can fly from Cork to Bristol to help with the L&B!

 

Also, the West Clare is a 2+ hour drive from Cork, and might be somewhere to check out, as it's a similar distance to the Stradbally line.

Any West Clare members on NP? Any updates on operations and need for extra helpers? (Hint: the website is mainly very out of date....)

 

there basically aren't any ...well there a couple but it's a one man band in reality. I think you'd be welcome to go along and help but it isn't like a UK line at all. The Owner told me he does have a couple of lads who like to come along and polish 5C when she is in steam, make of that what you like!

 

Another line to consider is the the Suir Valley Line at Kilmeaden which is about 90' from Cork. OK it's not an original NG line being originally Irish standard gauge, but it's pretty well run from what I could see when I visited with great views along the Suir Valley and although it's all diesel at the moment, they have big plans regarding extension and would also like to bring in steam downrange if they can. The volunteers seem to be a mix of locals and expats and very friendly.

Andy

 

Thanks both - it seems some driving will be in order ....

Don't suppose there are any Corconians on here looking to start a line nearer to Cork Or even a model railway club
Let me know!!

 

there's always Clonakilty ...... probably hardly deserves a mention on here ...or the Halfway vintage club have a few items that are pretty unloved , maybe that's worth looking at (not narrer gauge though)

 

The problem for a set-up like this is what happens when the Owner has to give up? Does the entire enterprise fold....?

 

i fear that might be the case and he isn't in the first flush of youth.

 

Are there any Irish 914mm steam locos in museums that might be restorable and then loaned out to one of the lines? Several such schemes have been successful elsewhere?

 

there are a couple in Cultra and Lady Edith due to be repatriated to the West Clare (when I don't know). There's any number of Co Donegal locos too of course.

 

Not quite any number... Only 4!
Assuming you mean steam:
At Cultra there is Blanche (CDR) and a C&L loco, plus ex-British Aluminium 0-4-0T, all well looked after and telling an important part of the history of Irish railways, i.e. leave them be.
At L'derry at the former Foyle Valley are two more ex-CDR locos (Meenglas and Columbkille) while Drumboe (CdR no 5) of the same class has been under restoration on and off for years at the RPSI but I think is now off site with the South Donegal society?
Lady Edith (C&L) is allegedly being repatriated from the US to the West Clare.
West Clare no 5 is operational at Moyasta.
T&D no 5 is in bits at Tralee, sadly nothing doing at present.
Two ex-industrial locos formerly at Shane's Castle are now out of service at Bushmills, no overhaul plans.
Stadbally have their loco valiantly flying the flag for NG steam.
That's it!
As you can see, 5 was a lucky number for Irish NG locos...
The problem is railways to run them on, money to overhaul, volunteers, etc.
Fintown was going to get a Scottish 3' gauge loco from the SRPS, which has overhauled are ready to go, but Fintown were not ready to receive her.