The railway is back on track!
As announced a few days ago the Tralee and Dingle Light Railway is back in operation, after it had had to cease scheduled travels in the midst of the 2006 season due to massive technical problems with the solitary steam engine. While 5T is still out of service the train is not, because the guys from the railway now managed to source a diesel engine. And today at 10:40 (two hours ago) the small train made its first journey from Blennerville to Tralee after almost three years downtime. It will now continue to travel between the two stations hourly, starting on the full hour from the Aquadome in Tralee and at the half hour from the Blennerville Windmill.
I think it is very, very important for the future of the whole project that people finally can see things moving again, hopefully someday even 5T.
Delighted you’re back, it’s a great trip.
Comment by emurf — August 1, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
The diesel locomotive (which was originally built for the construction of the Channel Tunnel) is the same one that has been operating the West Clare Railway for the last few years, but they finally got their steam loco No.5 “Slieve Callan” back the other week, hence they could spare their diesel for the Tralee and Dingle’s resurrection. I had a footplate ride on “Slieve Callan” only yesterday!
Comment by Stephen Chambers — August 2, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Good to hear, but relying on ONE engine, whether it’s steam or diesel is always running the risk that you won’t be able to operate. There’s been a bit of debate on the Irish Railway News about the future of the Tralee and Dingle, and a slight feeling that it’s “outside” the heritage railway family with virtually none of us knowing who’s involved. I myself am a volunteer at one of the island’s operation. But there’s help and advice out there in Ireland - RPSI, for example, would be very capable of overhauling 5T, though whether such a large vehicle is economically viable for such a line. But get the local community involved, build up a volunteer base - that’s the way to long term stability and operation!
Comment by Rob — August 17, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
It’s a travesty of an operation, as it has been since it reopened and if they expect do any business like this they are living in cloud cuckoo land. I
Comment by David Parks — August 18, 2009 @ 11:14 am
Damn computers - sorry about incomplete post. I wonder what sort of public liability insurance they have? I can’t see this sort of mickey mouse operation pulling in enough punters to even cover insurance costs let alone anything else. Nice cobble lock though and we won’t mention the highly authentic carriages!
Comment by David Parks — August 18, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Hi David,
yes - there are apparent problems with the operation and the railway itself, but isn’t it great to at least see things moving again? The general public has neither the knowledge of nor the specific interest in historic railway projects that you seem to rely on. But the tourists and a good number of citizens are simply glad to see that the train has not been completely forgotten. And my little daughter loves it too!
To motivate volunteers you need to have something real and manifest to focus on. Not just a rusting, static piece of history in a cluttered yard that would be perfect - but will sadly be out of service for the foreseeable future.
What would you have suggested instead? Leave 5T and the carriages to rot in the yard because they are not authentic? It is a fresh start for a very ambitiuos project, not more and not less.
I honestly would not have expected to see any kind of train running on the old tracks this year, and so I think we should not try to drag down the current effort. It is not what I would really like to see - that would be 5T running on her own steam again - but hey, it’s a train!
Maybe you should read this short article to be able to appreciate the spirit of the people involved in the project…
Comment by Holger — August 18, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
If other projects are anything to go by, the anonymous local business man will probably end up owning the whole shooting match.
Comment by David Parks — August 18, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
While I do not agree with David’s comments, as something is better than nothing, Holger your reply seems not to appreciate how heritage lines in Ireland and the UK work. “To motivate volunteers you need to have something real and manifest to focus on.” No, you need a clear vision of what you want to acheive and how you’re going to do it, as well as a practical understanding of the logistics of railway operation. And perhaps, yes, a soul as people would say. 5T may or may not be perfect, I’d think it could be too big and too coal-hungry. It’s authentic yes, but is that the big issue here? Or should the T&DRly get covered accommodation for it, cosmetically restore it and develop an exhibition around it, while carrying on train operations with non T&D stock? But the point still stands that with only ONE operational locomotive, there is the risk of closure again when it needs overhauled. T&D *needs* at least two diesels, and perhaps a steamer like those up in the Giant’s Causeway.
Comment by Rob — August 20, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Is the train still running? I am on holiday in Ireland from Friday and was planning to visit Tralee on Sunday 13th Septand ride the train to the windmill.
Thanks, David
Comment by David Lawrence — September 7, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
Hi David,
yes - the little train is still running and I think it will do so until the end of september. So you should be fine.
Holger
Comment by Holger — September 8, 2009 @ 8:38 am
Thank you, looking forward to it, and the weather forcast is looking good!
Comment by David Lawrence — September 8, 2009 @ 11:25 am
Oh dear train wasn’t running, on what was probably one of the warmest Sunday afternoons of the year. It was due to run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, which seems strange when the main holidays were over. The staff in tourist information stated they had had no end of enquiries on the Sunday asking why the train wasn’t running.
Comment by David Lawrence — September 21, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
Tralee & Dingle Hunslets
I wonder if anyone has any information regarding the layout of the tank tops on these locos?
>
> I am planning a version designed to fit a model 2-6-2 chassis I have acquired and whilst I have plenty of reference of the beasts from all angles plus a reasonable drawing showing side and front, I have not located any details of the plan view. The indications are that the tank tops were flush with the top of the boiler and the front views show the tank fronts fitted around the boiler. Were the tank tops carried right across as a flat sheet enclosing the boiler or did they finish at the boiler’s outer circumfrence and leave a gap not visible from the ground?
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> Any views on the matter would be appreciated.
>
> Steve
Comment by steve howe — November 1, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Steve
I have pictures which show that the tie bar on top of the tanks, holding the tanks on, just touches, as a tangent,the top of the boiler. The tanks were vertical sided and flush with the boiler, according to the GA of 5T. I have one copy of this still, but my main copy I loaned to someone building a live steam version. If you hang fire, when he returns it I could let you borrow it. If you want any more info you can get me via the contact page on Chester Model Railway Club’s website (only to avoid spammers who might read this). What scale are you building in?
Simon
Comment by simon starr — November 20, 2009 @ 9:18 pm