4th March 1989

Irish Traction Group
The Connaught Campaigner

Locos Used IE : 001, 121 & 126
Stock Used 1555+1505+1540+1520+1550+1517+1529+3159

Route :
B470 : Dublin Connolly to Limerick
B471 : Limerick to Dublin Connolly Dun Laoghaire

Loco(s) Route
121 + 126 Dublin Connolly - Glasnevin Jn - Islandbridge Jn - Inchicore - Kildare - Cherryville Jn - Portarlington - Ballybrophy
121 + 126 Ballybrophy - Nenagh - Killonan Jn - Limerick
001 Limerick - Ennis - Gort - Athenry - Athlone - Portarlington - Cherryville Jn - (reverse of outward route) - Dublin Connolly - Dun Laoghaire

Notes :
(1) Gordon Lacy comments: This was my first venture into Eire! GB passengers made their way from Dun Laoghaire to Connolly by service train, most using the very convenient loco hauled Arklow - Mosney (loco 146). The pair of 121s proved to be quite sprightly performers, clocking a max of 76mph after Sallins, before running round (& a complicated shunt movement!) at Ballybrophy, before taking the branch to Limerick. From Limerick, after the reversal & loco change, photo stops were made at long closed stations along the scarcely used route to Athenry. Unusually, passengers wishing to avail themselves of this 'facility' were required to sign indemnity forms at the start of the tour! 001 also proved to be a capable performer, but was unable to recover time lost en route, partly due to setting down passengers at Kildare! IE made the sensible decision to run the whole train through to Dun Laoghaire to make the ferry connection.

Source : Gordon Lacy

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Gordon Lacy)

Location Booked Actual
Dublin Connolly 10.10d 10.23½
Islandbridge Jn 10/21 10.34 ~ 10.45
Inchicore 10/25 10c50 ~ 10c53
Hazelhatch 10/33 11/02
Sallins 10/40½ 11/09
Newbridge 10/47½ 11/15½
Kildare 10/53 11/20
Cherryville Jn 10/55½ 11/24½
Portarlington 11/04 11/32
Portlaoise 11/13½ 11/41½
Ballybrophy 11.30a ~ 11.55d 11.58½ ~ 12.25½
Roscrea 12.09 ~ 12.13 12/38
Cloughjordan 12.26 ~ 12.28 12.49 ~ 12.56
Nenagh 12.41 ~ 12.44 13.07 ~ 13.23
Birdhill 13.02 ~ 13.05 13/29
Killonan Jn 13/23 13/54
Limerick 13.30a ~ 14.00d 14L02 ~ 14L24
Sixmilebridge ??p??a ~ ??p??d 14.59 ~ 15.05
Ennis 15.10 ~ 15.15 15.32 ~ 15.41
Crusheen ??p??a ~ ??p??d 15.58 ~ 16.07
Gort 15.55 ~ 15.58 16.25 ~ 16.36
Craughwell ??p??a ~ ??p??d 16.59 ~ 17.05½
Athenry 16.40 ~ 16.42 17.17 ~ 17.22½
Attymon 16.49 ~ 16.51 17/32
Woodlawn 17/00 17/39
Ballinasloe 17/11 17/49
Athlone 17.27 ~ 17.31 18.08½ ~ 18.09½
Clonydonnin 17/41 18/18½
Clara 17/50 18/27
Tullamore 17/59 18/34½
Geashill 18/07 18/43
Cherryville Jn 18/31 19/05
Kildare 18/34 19.10 ~ 19.11½
Newbridge 18/38 19/17½
Sallins 18/45 19/24
Hazelhatch 18/53 19/30½
Inchicore 19/01 19/38½
Islandbridge Jn 19/03 19/41½
Dublin Connolly 19.15a ~ 19.58d 19.54 ~ 19.58
Dublin Pearse ? 20/00½
Dun Laoghaire 20.14a 20.13

Service Train (A607):

Location Booked Actual
Mosley 06.56d -
Dun Laoghaire ??.??a ~ 08.19d ??.?? ~ 08.21½
Lansdown Road 08.30½a ~ 08.31d 08.32½ ~ 08.33½
Dublin Pearse 08.34a ~ 08.35d 08.36 ~ 08.38
Tara Street 08.36½a ~ 08.37d 08.39½ ~ 08.41
Dublin Connolly 08.40a 08.44

Stena Sealink Crossings:

Ferry Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
St Columba Holyhead 03.15d 03.39   00.15a 00.30
Dun Laoghaire 06.45a 07.14   20.45d 21.06


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