Yesterday, the IRRS in cooperation with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and Irish Rail, operated a popular locomotive hauled tour from Dublin Connolly to Ballina and Wesport, County Mayo.

I had the privilege to travel and photograph this trip. For me this was a great opportunity to reacquaint with friends and experience Irish Rail first hand.

Three class 071 General Motors locomotives were used: freshly painted Irish Rail 087 from Dublin to Ballina, Irish 078 from Ballina to Claremorris and Westport, and 084 on the return leg from Westport to Dublin. The turbocharged sounds of Electro-Motive 12-645E3 diesels prevailed though out the day.

Clear skies in Dublin soon gave way to more typical Irish weather. I was neither deterred by the weather nor a haze of jetleg, and I exposed hundreds of digital photographs using my Lumix LX7. Somehow I also managed to pop off a whole roll of Provia with my EOS 3.

I view these trips as great opportunity to capture the railway enthusiast community. After all the train was provided purely for its enjoyment.

Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible!

I’ll plan to post additional images soon.

Tracking the Light posts daily!

More photos from the 071 Tour soon.