Emerald Isle Explorer: 3 to 11/5/23

At Dublin Heuston this morning.
On the way to Athlone then Galway. Currently in Portarlington Up Loop where we change loco to 131.

 

I’m guessing we’ll see some more of your holiday snaps as this tour goes along then Paul?

 

Athlone


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And Sean's Bar Ireland's oldest pub with sawdust on the floor in Athlone .

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Yes and from yesterday Euston to Holyhead with our own charter train with half of the Intercity set.

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Galway
Nothing further until Saturday, when we will be heading to Limerick then Killarney.

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Yes I saw a video of the loco changeover at Crewe, something that I used to witness a fair bit in my youth.

 

Galway

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Limerick. Break and loco change.

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Killarney

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Tralee
Nr 85 and the fireman


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The bar


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That’s a seriously decent buffet car.

 

Cork


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A very enjoyable trip so far. In Ireland it is pure steam, they are not allowed to have a diesel in the formation according to Marcus. Load is usually support coach plus 7 coaches, but only 5 coaches due to 1/80 then 1/60 climb out of Cork which is an optional trip. Max with nr 85 Merlin was 54mph tender first on Saturday, and max with 131 ( which looks like a T9) was 76mph smoke box first on Thursday. 180 on the tour, but only 36 in standard. I regret not doing one of the four EIE's.

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Ireland is the most enjoyable place for mainline steam. I was told it was good by various people who had been on one of the previous four EIE's.

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The best one I have seen on a train and the only one to serve draft Guinness.

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That glass looks a little dirty though Paul
Some work still to be done
Still impressive though.

 

Spent quite a bit of time in the IRPS "International Bar Car" on my 2015 tour. The craft beer from Co. Carlow was excellent.