Dublin & South Eastern Railway 461

Yesterday, the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) operated a pair of excursions from Dublin’s Connolly Station to Greystones, County Wicklow and return using former Dublin & South Eastern 2-6-0 461.

The trains were well patronized, which demonstrates a continued interest in Irish steam trains.

461 approaches Connolly Station. — 461 approaches Connolly Station tender first.

Dull weather prevailed, while cool temperatures made lots of steam condensation.

Sometimes I find that dull days makes for better steam photos.

Here’s a sample of digital images I made with my FujiFilm X-T1.

Most required contrast and saturation adjustment in post-processing.

Any favorites?

Connolly shed with two locomotives in steam.

View from the Loop Line bridge in Dublin.

461 with admirers in the rain at Greystones.

After the trip, Irish Rail 075 brought the RPSI carriages back across to Inchicore. I made this image using an external graduated neutral density filter to improve detail in the sky.

Tracking the Light Posts Every Day.

Up Close with Locomotive 461.

RPSI 461 — 461 at Athy. Lumix LX3 photo.

Excursions are a great opportunity to make detailed photos of railway equipment. In addition to the traditional angles, I like to get close and focus on characteristic elements of locomotives and railway cars.

Locomotive 461 is an old favorite. I’ve been photographing it for more than 15 years, and I think it’s safe to say that I have a fair few photos of it. But that’s never caused me pause; I keep looking for new ways and new angles on this old machine.

Here’s just a few from The Marble City trip on August 25, 2013.