Tag Archives: Train

Trains and Reptiles 15/6/14

Following on from our very successful trip to Kilkenny and Carlow on 18/5/14 for the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s St. Canice Railtour, we decided to head in that direction again for the RPSI’s ‘Marble City’ run featuring the same steam locomotive No. 461. On arrival at McDonagh station in Kilkenny, the bad news was that there had been a problem up the line and the RPSI train would arrive late and would be hauled by a diesel locomotive. The fate of locomotive 461 was unknown but the word was that it would arrive in Kilkenny some time later.

bagenalstown train 1

12.40pm Waterford – Dublin at Bagenalstown – Denis Barry

That being the case, we decided to head for Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), Co. Carlow in the hope of catching a glimpse there. On arrival, the news was that the RPSI train had already arrived in Kilkenny and the scheduled, 12.40pm Waterford to Dublin train had left. We reckoned that the Waterford to Dublin should be with us very soon and sure enough, within minutes it rounded the bend just south of the Bagenalstown viaduct and sped past us just feet from our position on the public road.

As is the case with train photography, you wait, it passes, it’s all over before you know it and you hope you have something in the can. And here we were, two Cork men in Carlow photographing a run-of-the-mill, diesel, inter-city train that we could just as easily have done at home! Having digested the anticlimax and irony of it all we decided to move on. Then, while packing the gear, a faint rumble was heard and, low and behold, there was locomotive 461 steaming hurriedly towards us on a solo run to Kilkenny to rejoin the RPSI train. In the mad scramble that ensued, only a few frames were got off but the scene was captured successfully by Matt Dornan. Shoot successful, day saved! Phew!

Matthew Dornan-3

Locomotive 461 Kilkenny bound at Bagenalstown – Matt Dornan

Happy to have captured the photo we came for, we left Bagenalstown somewhat re-vitalised and visited The Reptile Zoo in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny where, though basking lazily in the high humidity, some of the animals were happy to pose for our cameras. Slow moving and predictable, there would be no more surprises today!

Mouse over the image below to see and operate the slideshow controls and photographer details. Enjoy.

[slideshow_deploy id=’3922′]

 

 

 

Group Meeting – 15/4/14

finoneill

Last night’s meeting at the Midleton Park Hotel saw another packed agenda and among the large attendance we were delighted to welcome three new members.

The main speaker of the night was railway enthusiast, Finbarr O’Neill, who showed his slideshow of various railway-related images captured all over the island of Ireland with both diesel and steam engines represented as well as some interesting railway architecture and engineering works. Finbarr spoke about the best places to photograph on the various railways around the country and also of outings by the steam preservation societies during which it’s possible to make classic steam locomotive shots. Good pre-planning and a little bit of luck would seem to be the main requirements for this type of photography. You can see some of Finbarr’s images at his Flickr page here.

Following Finbarr were Group members Karen Fleming and Finbarr O’Shea who presented slideshows of their own featuring macro, portraiture, landscapes and seascapes.

A mini bring and buy sale, held while teas and coffees were served, saw some brisk trading that would rival any scene in the Coal Quay or Moore St. – nothing like the chance of a bargain to get the blood flowing!

Thanks to all the speakers, those in attendance and The Midleton Park Hotel for a great evening.