I have always had a soft spot for the Irish.
Although they speak a language similar to that which we speak. They have very different ways of doing things.
It is that difference that I find attractive.
Over the years, I have made several journeys there.
However they were mainly at a time when I was into video not photographs so I have used images taken by friend Peter Rose gathered during his own visits there.
As is usual with his work, they appear here with his consent and my thanks.
The most noticeable difference between Irish and the UK railways is the track gauge which is 5 feet 3 inches in Ireland as opposed Britains 4 feet 8 and a half inches.
011 ‘Iarnrod Eireann’ A Class.
Metropolitan Vickers built Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotive
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Although considered to be unsuccessful with the Crossley built engines proving unreliable, they still managed a working life of 40 years or so after being re-engined with General Motors units.
Pictured at Cobh on 6/11/1991 with the 13-45 to Cork.
121 & 135 ‘Iarnrod Eireann’ Class 121.
General Motors built Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotive
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New in 1960.
Similar to the UK’s Class 20 (one cab, long engine ‘bonnet’).
As delivered the drivers on the system refused to drive them unless they were turned at the end of each journey.
The later and similar Class 141 had a cab at each end.
The original locos work as do the UK’s Class 20’s in pairs with the bonnets facing inward.
Pictured at Mallow on 08/10/1994 working a sugar beet train.
141 ‘Iarnrod Eireann’ Class 141.
General Motors built Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotive
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New in 1962.
Pictured at Wexford on 06/10/1992 on a Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Harbour service.
084 ‘Iarnrod Eireann’ Class 071.
General Motors built Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotive
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New in 1976.
Pictured at Rosslare Harbour on 25/07/1995.
181 ‘Iarnrod Eireann’ Class 181.
General Motors built Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotive
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New in 1966.
Pictured at Ballina on 03/11/91 on a working to Manulla Junction.
202 ‘Iarnrod Eireann’ Class 201 'Abhainn na Laoi/River Lee'.
General Motors built Co-Co diesel electric locomotive
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
I have ridden behind these on a number of occasions and they really are big, powerful beasts.
The UK equivalent would be the Class 66.
New in 1994.
Pictured at Mallow on 08/10/1994 on its way to Cork.
8131 ‘DART’ (Dublin Area Rapid Transport).
GEC/Linke-Hofmann-Busch built electric multiple Unit
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New in 1983.
The ‘DART’ (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is what we would call a suburban service in Dublin running on a generally North/South axis.
Pictured at Dublin Connolly on its way North to Howth.
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