Cover of the October 2018 Irish Railway Record Society Journal, photo by Mike K. Belshaw, IRRS collection.
The October 2018 Journal of the Irish Railway Record Society features my obituary to American photographer and author Jim Shaughnessy who passed away in August this year.
I paid tribute to Jim and his work, both in America and Ireland, while also explaining how I helped Jim publish his photography in the Journal. Jim was always delighted to be represented in this Irish publication.
A thumbnail view of my tribute to Jim Shaughnessy in the October 2018 Journal.The Journal did an excellent job of reproducing my portrait of Jim holding his last book ‘Essential Witness’, which features some his finest North American photography. Using a Nikon F3 with 50mm lens, I exposed this view on 35mm black & white film during a visit last December.
The Journal is published thrice annually and I’ve been contributing material for nearly 18 years.
I’ll be giving my Illustrated Lecture called Night Trains, Pendolinos, Iron ore, Timber and Trams to the Irish Railway Record Society in Dublin to be presented on Thursday 9 March , 2017.
This will be delivered at the IRRS premises near Heuston Station in Dublin (opposite the entrance to the car park). I will begin at 7:30pm (1930).
Helsinki main station is the design of Eliel Saarinen—one of Finland’s greatest and best known architects. Inspired by the Vienna Secession movement, Saarinen blended elements of the Arts & Crafts movement with traditional Finnish rural architectural themes.
I’ll be presenting a variation of my slide program Irish Railways Looking Back Ten Years to the Cork Branch of the Irish Railway Record Society at 8pm on Monday October 3, 2016.
The program will be held at the Metropole Hotel in Cork City.
I gave a version of this program titled ONE YEAR ON IRISH RAILWAYS; LOOKING BACK TEN YEARS on 10 March 2016 to the Dublin Branch of the Irish Railway Record Society.
While the core of the program will be similar, I’ve added a variety of new material to keep it interesting and fresh.
Irish Rail 213 at Kent Station, Cork. Exposed on Fujichrome, scanned with an Epson V500.Railway Preservation Society Ireland engine 186 arrives at Farranfore, County Kerry on 6 May 2006. Notice the effect of depth created by lining up the lighting posts on the right.Waterford-Ballina Norfolk Liner crosses the River Barrow at Monasterevin.
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.Platform self portraits at Connolly.Fixing a tail lamp.Green flag to proceed at Connolly.Discussing logistics in the crew van.On the platform at Kildare.RPSI’s bar staff.At Ballybrophy.Ed came all the way from America for this trip.Sometimes the routine makes for an interesting photograph. Seen at Limerick.Cup of tea in the van.Irish Rail staff are key to operations.Driver Ken Fox at Charleville.Catching up on the platform at Mallow.Inspection of the equipment.Crossing the viaduct at Mallow.
Cast of characters at Rathmore.Going for spin in the snow, like.Buffet car staff.
Photographers at Rathmore.Photographers vying for position at Waterford.Reviewing results.Product placement; Noel Enright holds my new book Railway Depots, Stations and Terminals.Watching the passing greenery.People wave at the train.
Irish Railway Record Society’s ‘071 class two-day 40th anniversary railtour‘ covered a lot of ground in just two days.
The trip represented a mastery of coordination; special to thanks to everyone at Irish Railway Record Society, Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, and Irish Rail!
This a selection of 20 new images I made with my Lumix LX7. (I’m still down-loading the photos made with my FujiFilm X-T1).
The train was comprised of Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s Cravens, seen here at Dublin’s Connolly Station. Lumix LX7 photo.
We started and finished at Dublin’s Connolly Station, running to Ballybrophy (with train continuing ‘empty carriages’ to Lisduff sidings to change direction, then via the Nenagh Branch to Limerick.
Limerick to Cork, Cork back to Mallow, then to Killarney for an overnight stay. In the morning to Tralee (my visit there since I bought a digital camera!) then back to Kilarney.
Back via Mallow to Limerick Junction, then down my favorite line to Waterford via Carrick-on-Suir. From Waterford to Killkenny and via Cherryville Junction back up to Dublin.
There were lots of intermediate photographic stops along the way.
Engine 083 brought us from Dublin to Limerick via Nenagh. Viewed in a rare moment of sun at Connolly Station in Dublin.
In the bay at Ballybrophy.Change of locos at Limerick; here 076 took over.083 at Limerick under the train shed.
Ken Fox at the throttle after arriving in Cork.
Kent Station in Cork features an unusual curved train shed, which I’ve featured in my recent book Railway Depots, Stations and Terminals (published by Voyageur Press).Amoung our numerous photo stops included a brief visit to Rathmore on the line from Mallow to Killarney.A wink of sun on arrival in Killarney. It wasn’t so nice the following morning.Killarney town is a popular tourist destination. I made this view on a wander after checking in to the hotel.Sunday morning in Killarney was cold and dark; but atmospheric. I made some of my most memorable images, if not the sunniest.Cold rain greeted us at Farranfore. It has been 18 years and some months since I first visited this classic Irish station. I wouldn’t expect that 076 in gray paint has been here very often. Except for rail tours and the infrequent per way train, the Kerry Road is a locomotive free zone.Is that an authentic Irish spelling for ‘Tralee’? I noted no less than three variations on official signage.This was a bit of a shock; tracks lifted in front of the old cabin at Tralee. I remember sitting up in the cabin chatting with the signalman back in the late 1990s.Palisade fencing in the old goods yard complicated photography at Tralee. Thankfully my Lumix LX7 is very thin.Another change of engine at Waterford. Here 077 took over from 076. A view across the Suir toward the old Viking town.A plaque to William Dargan at Carlow on the Kilkenny to Cherryville line.Local folks were bemused by the disgorging of passengers at Athy and frantic efforts to make photos in the 7 minutes allowed for the stop. (engine 079 took over at Kilkenny).
I’ll be posting more photos from the popular trip soon!
Yesterday morning, Saturday 9 April 2016, I made this panoramic composite image at Connolly Station featuring the Irish Railway Record Society ‘071 class two-day 40th anniversary railtour.‘
(If you are not viewing Tracking the Light directly, you may need to click the link to the site to get the full effect of the panorama.)
I traveled on this epic and ambitious diesel-hauled special and I’m presently downloading the hundreds of digital photos I exposed of the trains and the people involved with it.
More soon!
Panoramic composite exposed using a Lumix LX-7 digital camera.
This morning (31 March 2016), Irish Railway Record Society’s Peter Rigney in cooperation with Irish Rail launched an historical display focused on the role of the railway in the 1916 Easter Rising.
The display is located on platform 1.
Irish Railway Record Society’s Peter Rigney at 11:30am on Thursday, 31 March 2016. Platform 1, Heuston Station, Dublin.Irish Rail’s Barry Kenny and Irish Railway Record Society’s Peter Rigney pose with the historical display on Platform 1 at Heuston Station. FujiFilm X-T1 digital photo.Irish Rail ICR viewed from platform 1 at Heuston Station on 31 March 2016.
Last night, as advertised, I presented my program to the Irish Railway Record Society in Dublin.
I had a large and receptive audience. There were more bodies than seats.
The program was in two parts, divided by a tea break (as per tradition). After a few slides from America, I focused on the main event: Ireland as I saw it 10 years ago.
I apologize: there were no photos of the DART or 29000-series CAF-built railcars, and I probably offered a disproportionate number of views of the last two operational class 121 diesels.
For those curious about my camera equipment: at the time I was in a transition between Nikon and Canon systems, while I was also making good use of a Contax G2 rangefinder. Color slides were exposed with lens ranging from a 16mm Zeiss Hologon to a 400mm Tokina telephoto.
In 2006, I was more than 2 years away from exposing my first digital photo. I was like the Norfolk & Western in 1953, and still firmly committed to the old technology. Most of the slides were exposed using Fujichrome Sensia2 (ISO 100), although I also used some Fujichrome Velvia 100, Provia 100F, and Provia 400F, as well as the occasional roll of Ektachrome.
Norfolk Liner at Bekan. Exposed on Fujichrome 100 with a 180mm Nikkor lens. Contrast adjusted in post processing.I had dual tripods and dual Nikons at this location. For this follow-up view of the same Norfolk Liner, I used a 400mm Tokina telephoto that I bought from Doug Moore back in 1992. I still have it with me in Ireland, although there’s not many places on this island to make effective use of such a long lens. Bekan (east of Claremorris) offers ths unusual ‘flight of stairs’ effect.
Tonight, 10 March 2016, I will present an illustrated program “One Year on Irish Railways; Looking back Ten Years” to the Irish Railway Record Society in Dublin.
What will I show?
I sifted through thousands of my Irish Rail slides looking for images that fit my arbitrary qualification; exposed in Ireland during 2006.
After locating more than 500 slides that fit the bill, I then honed the selection to something manageable.
Ultimately, this meant I needed to reject more photos than I included.
Here are five views that I exposed in 2006, that will not be appearing tonight.
I hope no one will be disappointed.
Cherryville Junction. Exposed on Fujichrome.Claremorris. Exposed on Fujichrome.Manulla Junction. Exposed on Fujichrome.Steam leaking from a Cravens set at Claremorris. Exposed on Fujichrome.Mixed pair works the Ballina Branch train at Ballina. Exposed on Ektachrome.
On 10 March 2016, I will present an illustrated talk on Irish railways as they were ten years ago—the year 2006—to the Irish Railway Record Society in Dublin.
This will feature some of my best photography from 2006 and include images on the Waterford-Limerick line, Galway Line and Mayo routes, plus Railway Preservation Society Ireland steam trips and many other subjects.
Empty timber train with 124 and 181 near Clara on 15 April 2006.Freshly painted Irish Rail 215 at Attymon, Co. Galway, 15 April 2006.
There’ll be plenty of photos of General Motors diesels at work hauling freight and passenger trains.
Th talk will begin at 7:30 pm at the IRRS Dublin premises near Heuston Station.
Semaphore at Claremorris, Co. Mayo in May 2006.Irish Rail 075 with Ballina Branch train at Manulla Junction on May Day 2006.Westport Timber at Claremorris, Co. Mayo.
As a follow up to yesterday’s Extra Post Irish Railway Record Society 071 Railtour 18 July 2015, I’ve put together this selection of images that I made on Saturday’s excellent rail tour from Du blin’s Connolly Station to Ballina and Westport. All were exposed with my Lumix LX7.
Under the shed at Connolly.
Freshly painted 077 at Inchicore.Claremorris cabin.Ballina.
Ballina.Ballina.Ballina.Ballina.Reviewing results.Reviewing results.Lashing rain at Claremorris.Photo stop at Castlebar.In rain at Westport.Westport.Westport.Westport.
This view of old 177 leading the weedspraying train over the disused Midland Great Western route at Moate is one of many colourful images to be presented.
The program will be given at the IRRS premises at Heuston Station in Dublin (opposite the entrance to the car park) and will begin at 7:30pm.
This will feature a variety of original colour slides projected in the traditional manner (that is, using a good ol’ fashioned slide projector!)
Irish rail ‘bo-bo’ 146 scuttles across the River Barrow at Monasterevin.Rail freight along the River Suir at Waterford. Scan from a Fujichrome slide.
More views of Irish Railway Record Society Trip to County Cork, 20 July 2013.
There’s a long history of special trains with unusual locomotives, rare events, or otherwise noteworthy occurrences of railway operations that have encouraged railway photography.
Saturday’s trip to Cork and Midleton was no exception. (see yesterday’s post).
Among the photographic events was the rare locomotive hauled consist on Cobh and Midleton Branches. The Cobh branch has been exclusively a railcar operation since the mid-2000s, while the Midleton line has only seen railcar operation since its reopening a few years ago.
Our train pauses at Templemore for photographers on the morning of 20 July 2013. Canon EOS 7D photo. A strategically placed bit of greenery adds depth to the image. (And, yes, I have photos without it).Fans snap freshly painted 071 class leader at Templemore on 20 July 2013. Canon EOS 7D photo.Enjoying the spin.
In time-honoured tradition, at every photo stop, photographers rushed to snap images of the train. Occasionally, an individual entranced by the fresh paint on locomotive 071 or fascinated by some other peculiarity of operation or equipment, would wander haplessly in front of a line of eager photographers. Shouts of ‘Hey!’ ‘Oy!’, ‘Down in front!’ and the like would ensue.
Especially amusing was when a particularly oblivious passenger or passerby would drift with their backs to the anxious photo line (time is precious on these outings as only a few minutes are allowed at each stop), and proceed to linger staring in wonder at the train. In such cases a diplomat would be elected to negotiate a solution.
‘Down in front!’RPSI staff make necessary arrangements with Irish Rail staff at Kent Station Cork.
A Cobh, I was queried by a German woman as to why so many people were photographing the train. It didn’t appear in the slightest bit unusual to her. Significance is in the eye of the observer. I explained that, ‘locomotives were never operated on this line, and the locomotive that brought the train down was in fresh paint, and that the train had carried the photographers for this purpose.’ She seemed satisfied with that.
While I made plenty of images of the train, 071 and 073 and etc, I also focused on the people. From my experience, images of people surrounding the train tend to be more interesting than the train, and tend to have greater value in the end.
Photographs provide clues to memories that may last a lifetime. Someday everyone and everything maybe gone, yet we can remember the thrill of the day as a result of pictures. At Cobh, two young lads get their image made with the driver of locomotive 071. Canon EOS 7D photo.Kevin, a tracking the Light follower, proudly displays his model of Irish Rail’s 071 in the new livery.
Photographers vie for positon at Kent Station Cork.Aiming for the best angle at Midleton on 20 July 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.Staff water the train at Kent Station, Cork. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI staff servicing the train at Cork. Lumix LX3 photo.Not everyone is bothered to get every photo. Some prefer to relax and enjoy the journey. Lumix LX3 photo.Irish Rail employee (and Railway Preservation Society Ireland member) Kevin Walker enjoyed the view from a Cravens window on the Irish Railway Record Society’s outing.Irish Rail staff conducted the trip professionally and efficiently, keeping to schedule despite abnormally complex arrangements necessary for the trip.
Driver Ken Fox on 071 at Cork.Driver Ken Fox greets passengers after arrival at Heuston Station. Lumix LX3 photo.
At the end of the day, Heuston, Station. Lumix LX3.
I traveled on the Irish Railway Record Society’s “Special Train” consisting of locomotive hauled Cravens carriages to Kent Station Cork, with side trips Cobh, and Midleton operated on 20 July 2013.
Photographers crowd toward the Cork-end of the platform at Heuston to catch snaps of freshly painted 071 on the special train to Cork.
My reasons for traveling were largely to visit with friends on and about the train while enjoying a spin around Cork.
Tracking the Light followers Noel Enright and Mark Healy at Heuston Station, Dublin on 20 July 2013.Gerry is fellow traveler on many railway adventures. Did he tell you the story about the priest, the minister and the rabbi? Canon EOS 7D photo.Tracking the Light reader Stephen Hirsch displays his new Lumix camera. Lumix LX3 photo.
The special was unusual. The carriages were Railway Preservation Society’s former Irish Rail Cravens. It’s been nearly seven years since the old Cravens were withdrawn from regular service, thus ending Irish Rail’s routine use of traditional steam heated stock.
More usual was operation of a pair of Irish Rail’s General Motors-built class 071 diesel-electric locomotives. In the last few years, most Irish Rail trains have been operated with various classes of self-propelled rail cars. The exceptions being Dublin-Cork push-pull trains and the Dublin-Belfast Enterprise, both of which routinely call for class 201 diesels.
Thus, the 071 diesels have been largely relegated to freight and per-way (maintenance) service. The days of 071s roaring in ‘run 8’ (maximum throttle) down the Cork mainline hauling Mark II, Mark III or Cravens carriages in regular service is a memory.
Pairs of 071s were never common and multiple working of 071 virtually unknown (although it has been known to have occurred, at least once). So the ability to travel behind a pair of 071s was indeed very unusual. On Saturday’s trip only one of the locomotives was working at a time.
Also, this trip featured freshly painted 071-class leader, now officially known as ’92 60 0117071-7′ in an effort to comply with European common numbering. It’s still just engine 071 to the rest of us.
So far as I know, this was the first scheduled passenger service with an 071 in Irish Rail’s new gray and yellow livery. While, I’d previously photographed 077 (pardon me for not using its full European number) in this paint, this was my first opportunity to make photographs of 071 in gray.
Irish Railway Record Society special on 20 July 2013 pauses at Rushbrooke, Co. Cork on its way to Cobh. Irish Rail 073 leads a former British Rail steam heat van and Cravens carriages. Canon 7D photo.Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’) was the last port of call for the Titanic. Canon 7D Photo.Locomotive 071 couples to the excursion at Cobh. The train had been brought from Kent Station Cork by 073. Lumix LX3 photo.
Enthusiasts grab photos of locomotive 073 at Kent Station in Cork. Lumix LX3 photo.During an engine change friends chat on the platform at Kent Station in Cork, 20 July 2013.
Irish Rail driver Ken Fox at Kent Station, Cork. Lumix LX3 photo.
I was impressed with the time keeping. I enjoyed the company on board the train and on the platforms. All of Irish Rail’s and IRRS staff performed admirably, efficiently, and safely. On the trips to Cobh and Midleton, and especially on the return run to Dublin, driver Ken Fox showed exceptional professionalism and skill of operation.
Yet, what impressed me the most, and by far the most unusual aspect of the trip, was they call here ‘wall to wall sun’. Although, I’m told there’s been a spell of good weather in Ireland, I cannot recall the last time I’ve taken an entirely cloud free railway trip in Ireland!
More to come in future posts . . .
Irish Rail 071 at Midlton County Cork. First grey 071 at Midleton? Comments anybody? Lumix LX3 photo.
