The trains are the excuse to travel, but for me many of the most interesting photos are the portraits.
In the end, it’s the cast of characters that make the trip worthwhile.
Here are just a few from the dozens of images I exposed on Saturday and Sunday 9-10 April 2016.
![IRRS tour organizer Shane Roberts at Connolly on the morning of the tour.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Shane_Roberts_Connolly_P1430170.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Platform self portraits at Connolly.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Tina_and_Irish_Rail_083_RPSI_train_Connolly_P1430181.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Fixing a tail lamp.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Peter_w_lamp_P1430192.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Green flag to proceed at Connolly.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/John_Sinclair_w_flag_P1430203.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Discussing logistics in the crew van.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Crew_in_Van_P1430211.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![On the platform at Kildare.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/John_Clery_and_Joe_P1430222.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![RPSI's bar staff.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Bar_Staff_P1430254.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![At Ballybrophy.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Tony_Gray_and_DH_P1430275.jpg?resize=473%2C709)
![Ed came all the way from America for this trip.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Ed_Finglas_P1430296.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Sometimes the routine makes for an interesting photograph. Seen at Limerick.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/King_snapping_railcar_P1430305.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Cup of tea in the van.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/John_Denis_David_P1430333.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Irish Rail staff are key to operations.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Ken_and_John_Sinclair_P1430342.jpg?resize=473%2C709)
![Driver Ken Fox at Charleville.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Ken_Fox_on_076_P1430346.jpg?resize=473%2C709)
![Catching up on the platform at Mallow.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DH_w_Ken_Fox_P1430354.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Inspection of the equipment.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Inspecting_the_train_at_Mallow_P1430360.jpg?resize=473%2C709)
![Crossing the viaduct at Mallow.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Tommy_Johnson_P1430361.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Cast of characters at Rathmore.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Cast_of_characters_Rathmore_P1430469.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Going for spin in the snow, like.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Donncha_on_cravens_P1430594.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Buffet car staff.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Dinning_Car_staff_P1430615.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Photographers at Rath.more](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Photographers_at_Rathmore_P1430472.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Photographers vying for position at Waterford.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Photographers_at_Waterford_P1430632.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Reviewing results.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Joe_looking_at_photos_in_Van_P1430447.jpg?resize=473%2C709)
![Product placement; Noel Enright holds my new book Railway Depots, Stations and Terminals.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Noel_w_book_P1430659.jpg?resize=473%2C709)
![Watching the passing greenery.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Gerry_P1430622.jpg?resize=473%2C709)
![People wave at the train.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/People_waving_P1430699.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
All of the above were made with my Lumix LX7.
More photos to come soon.
NIce way of recording the Tour from different viewpoints or several “Tracking the LIght”s.
Enjoying your images! Thanks for sharing.