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Steam in the Gullet; Railway Preservation Society Ireland’s Marble City

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Sunday Morning, March 22, 2015: I waited patiently at the Con Colbert Road near the top of the Gullet—the cutting west of Islandbridge Junction in Dublin.

In the distance I could see the smoke from the locomotive; it was blocked outside of Heuston Station waiting for a path.

Up and down regular passenger trains gave me an opportunity to check my focus and exposures.

The 10am Dublin-Cork passenger train was led by Irish Rail class 201 number 215. A perfect subject with which to check focus and exposure.
The 10am Dublin-Cork passenger train was led by Irish Rail class 201 number 215. A perfect subject with which to check focus and exposure.
A following Inter City Railcar gave me another test subject. I was mindful that the block front of steam locomotive 461 would result in different exposure considerations than the bright yellow front of the ICR.
A following Inter City Railcar gave me another test subject. I was mindful that the block front of steam locomotive 461 would result in different exposure considerations than the bright yellow front of the ICR.

Past experience photographing steam locomotives in contrasty light has taught me that auto focus systems can easily get confused by wafting steam and smoke. The last thing I need is for the camera to be ‘hunting for focus’ during the moment of peak drama.

I switched my Fuji X-T1 to manual focus and pre-selected a focus point. The beauty of a digital camera is the ability to inspect results on site.

If I planned this correctly, dappled light and direct backlighting would help illuminate the smoke.

Finally, the bark of the locomotive and a volcanic display of exhaust. The camera was set in ‘turbo flutter’ (continuous high) and as 461 worked its way up the Gullet I exposed several strategically timed bursts of images.

Finally, an impressive display of steam and smoke! Locomotive driver Ken Fox works engine 461 upgrade. Fuji X-T1 with 135mm lens.
Finally, an impressive display of steam and smoke! Locomotive driver Ken Fox works engine 461 upgrade. Fuji X-T1 with 135mm lens.

RPSI_461_Marble_City_in_gullet_DSCF4306

This tighter view required a nominal focus adjustment at the last instant. Success!
This tighter view required a nominal focus adjustment at the last instant. Success!

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Railway Preservation Society Ireland’s Easter Eggspress.

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To Wicklow and Return, April 21, 2014.

Railway Preservation Society Ireland celebrates 50 years this year. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Railway Preservation Society Ireland celebrates 50 years this year. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.

A clear bright day and an excellent crowd made for a great day out with locomotive 461 and the preserved Cravens carriages.

The train boarded at Dublin’s Connolly Station and ran directly to Wicklow with stunning views of Dublin bay from Killiney and Bray Head.

Irish Rail 227 with the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise rests alongside locomotive 071 (now 0117071 & etc) that was about to shunt the RPSI train from platform 3 at Connolly. 461 was steamed up and ready to couple to the train and take it into platform 5 for boarding. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Irish Rail 227 with the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise rests alongside locomotive 071 (now 0117071) that was about to shunt the RPSI train from platform 3 at Connolly. 461 was steamed up and ready to couple to the train and take it into platform 5 for boarding. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Steam on a sunny morning. Locomotive 461 pulls into platform 5 at Connolly Station. Canon EOS 7D with 20mm lens.
Steam on a sunny morning. Locomotive 461 pulls into platform 5 at Connolly Station. Canon EOS 7D with 20mm lens.
Departing Dublin offered views from the Loop Line bridge of the Customs House and RIver Liffey. Canon EOS 7D with 20mm lens.
Departing Dublin offered views from the Loop Line bridge of the Customs House and River Liffey. Canon EOS 7D with 20mm lens.
Passengers and RPSI staff at Wicklow. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Passengers and RPSI staff at Wicklow. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Unloading prams from the van. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Unloading prams from the van. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
461 runs around at Wicklow for the short turn up to Greystones. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
461 runs around at Wicklow for the short turn up to Greystones. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
461 couples up at Wicklow. I miss the old mechanical semaphores with lattice masts that once protected Wicklow station. Canon EOS 7D with 20mm lens.
461 couples up at Wicklow. I miss the old mechanical semaphores with lattice masts that once protected Wicklow station. Canon EOS 7D with 20mm lens.

At Wicklow, the special was overtaken by a holiday ‘relief’ special to Gorey that operated with the freshly painted candy apple green 29000 set.

A short trip was run from Wicklow to Greystones and return, with some spirited running along the beaches south of Greystones.

Ah! The elusive freshly painted 29117!
Ah! The elusive freshly painted 29117!

Engine 461 is a former Dublin & South Eastern 2-6-0 goods engine, so it was working on old home rails. The locomotive was steaming well and made for a great performance.

Reported difficulties with the points at Wicklow resulted in minor delays on the return trip, but clear signals up to Dublin and excellent running by the steam crew found us back at Connolly only a few minutes behind the advertised.

I traveled on the train, and used opportunities at station stops to make photos of the crew.

These are some of my digital results. I also used my old Nikon F3 with a 24mm lens to exposed some Fuji Acros 100 black & white film. Somehow steam and B&W seems like an appropriate combination! Those images remain latent, and perhaps will be a topic for a future post!

The bushes match 461's buffer beam.
The bushes match 461’s buffer beam.
Assisting passengers at Wicklow.
Assisting passengers at Wicklow.
Dublin-Rosslare ICR approaches Wicklow. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Dublin-Rosslare ICR approaches Wicklow. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Steam crew in the cab of 461. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Steam crew in the cab of 461. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
461 shunts the train at Wicklow. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
461 shunts the train at Wicklow. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Shoveling coal is a dirty job, but someone has to do it!
Shoveling coal is a dirty job, but someone has to do it!
Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Watching for a signal.
Watching for a signal.
RPSI Cravens under the shed at Connolly Station.
RPSI Cravens under the shed at Connolly Station.

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Tomorrow: The DART in Pictures.

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Steam to Mullingar, March 23, 2014, Part 2—Daily Post.

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Views at the old Midland Station

Locomotive 461 arrives at Mulligar on March 23, 2014.
Locomotive 461 arrives at Mulligar on March 23, 2014.

In its heyday, Mullingar was an important station on the old Midland Great Western Railway. Here, the large signal cabin controlled the junction between Sligo and Galway routes. There were goods yards and locomotive sheds. It was a busy place.

Today, it’s little more than a big station serving Irish Rail’s Sligo Line. Yet, vestiges of its former glory remain. While the double line junction at the Dublin-end of the station was removed in 2003, and the signal cabin ceased to function as a block post on the Sligo line in 2005, the cabin remains. So do the platforms for the old Galway Road.

The Galway road continues toward Athlone, but vanishes into the weeds after it leaves the station. It has been more than a decade since the last train traveled the line, and that was only the annual weed-spraying run.

Semaphores and other antique infrastructure dot the plant.

The arrival of locomotive 461 allowed me opportunity to photograph the signal cabin and the old Galway side of Mulligar Station.

For me this was a flashback. Not to the glory days of the Midland Great Western, but to the late 1990s early 2000s, when I first visited Mullingar. So much had changed since then, yet so much more remains at Mullingar than many other places on Irish Rail.

Here’s just a few photos from the many images I exposed on Sunday, March 23, 2014.

Levers in Mullingar Cabin.
Levers in Mullingar Cabin.
Mullingar Cabin.
Mullingar Cabin.
Locomotive 461 as viewed from Mullingar Cabin.
Locomotive 461 as viewed from Mullingar Cabin.
Driver Ken Fox at Mullingar.
Driver Ken Fox at Mullingar.
On the platforms at Mullingar.
On the platforms at Mullingar.
Looking west on the old Galway Road, Mullingar cabin and station on the right.
Looking west on the old Galway Road, Mullingar cabin and station on the right.
461 navigates the old yard. Here a few mechanical semaphores remain active.
461 navigates the old yard. Here a few mechanical semaphores remain active.
461 goes for spin on the turntable at Mullingar.
461 goes for spin on the turntable at Mullingar.
The light changed from sunny to hazy. 461 works back up through the old yard.
The light changed from sunny to hazy. 461 works back up through the old yard.
Resting on the disused Galway side of Mullingar station, 461 takes water in preparation for its run back to Dublin.
Resting on the disused Galway side of Mullingar station, 461 takes water in preparation for its run back to Dublin.
Visions of another era. Lumix LX3 photo.
Visions of another era. Lumix LX3 photo.
On the footplate.
On the footplate.

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Tomorrow: views at Mullingar 14 years apart!

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Steam to Kilkenny, August 25, 2013—Part 3

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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.

Locomotive 461
461’s builders plate. The Lumix LX3 allows for exceptionally close focusing for macro views such as this one. I switched off the auto focus and set the focus manually which gave me better control. Lumix LX3 photo.
Locomotive 461
Classic three-quarter ‘roster shot’ (rods down), a photographic style that evolved from the 19th century ‘builders photograph’ used to document new locomotives by their manufacturers. I made this image with my Canon EOS 7D, classic builders photos were exposed on glass plates.
Dublin & South Eastern Railway
Wheel bearing cover with the initials of 461s first owner, the Dublin & South Eastern Railway. Lumix LX3 photo.
Dublin & South Eastern Railway
461 drive wheel. Lumix LX3 photo.
Dublin & South Eastern Railway 461
461 detail view exposed with a Canon EOS 7D.
Hose draining at Kilkenny.
After watering the locomotive, RPSI crews laid out hoses on the platform to drain. This is an important part of the process, but rarely photographed. Lumix LX3 photo.
Dublin & South Eastern Railway 461
A wisp of steam wafts by the cab on locomotive 461. Canon EOS 7D photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Steam to Kilkenny, August 25, 2013—Part 2

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Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s “The Marble City.”

Portrait at Athy with the Lumix LX3.
Portrait at Athy with the Lumix LX3.

I was impressed by the efficiency of the trip. Irish Rail employees and RPSI volunteers cooperated to bring the trip off and ensure everyone on board had a safe and enjoyable trip.

As on other recent Irish excursions, I tend to focus on the people as well as the equipment. These trips are as much about the people as either the destination or the equipment.

Yet, it’s always interesting to see how people react to the steam locomotive. Passing Drumcondra Station in suburban Dublin, I watch the expressions of Irish Rail’s regular passengers as 461 puffed through with our excursion. These ranged from total bewilderment, as if a ghost from the past drifted across their bedroom, to nods of approval, and the occasional wave.

At every stop, passengers and passers by flocked to see the engine. The swarms of people are as much part of the scene as the engine and crew.

Yet, I found plenty of time to make close-ups of the equipment too. Check tomorrow’s post for some close-up views.

RPSI 461 at Kilkenny.
On the footplate of 461. Canon EOS 7D photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
RPSI train hosts. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Checking tickets in the traditional fashion. Canon EOS 7D photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Driver Ken Fox has been on the footplate for many miles.
An RPSI member assists with servicing the locomotive.
An RPSI member assists with servicing the locomotive.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Steam locomotives make for great photo subjects. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
On 461’s footplate. It’s hard work, but has great rewards. Canon EOS 7D photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Planning to inspect the locomotive with an expert eye. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
At Athy 461 hadmany fans. Canon EOS 7D photo.

Tune in tomorrow for some nuts and bolts.

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Steam to Kilkenny, August 25, 2013

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Passengers enjoying the spin behind steam. Canon EOS 7D photo.
Passengers enjoying the spin behind steam. Canon EOS 7D photo.

 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s “The Marble City.”

Locomotive 461.
461 at Connolly Station, Dublin.

On Sunday, August 25, 2013 locomotive 461 hauled a well-patronized Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s excursion from Dublin’s Connolly Station to Kilkenny via Cherryville Junction.

As is often the case this time of year in Ireland, it was a largely gray day. Steam locomotives present a difficult subject on warm dull days. As a result, I opted to travel on the train, rather than stake out a spot in the countryside to try for the one ‘master shot’.

This gave me ample opportunity to make close-ups of the locomotive, its crew, and friends traveling with the train. As well as pictures from the window.

I’d intended to bring my trusty old Nikon F3 to make a few color slides, but on the previous evening, I’d been making time exposures of Dublin and the trusty old battery in the F3 gave up the ghost. Failing to follow my own advice, I didn’t have a spare. (Although I have plenty of spare cameras).

As a result all of my images of “The Marble City” trip were exposed digitally. Some with my Lumix LX3, others with my Canon EOS 7D with 28-135 zoom. Check Tracking the Light over the next few days to view some of my results.

Steam to Kilkenny, August 25, 2013
Overseeing boarding at Connolly Station, Dublin. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip August 25, 2013
Locomotive driver Ken Fox greets RPSI’s members on the platform at Connolly. Lumix LX3 Photo.
RPSI trip August 25, 2013
This RPSI safety vest shows the signs of steam service. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip August 25, 2013
After leaving Dublin, ‘The Marble City’ was overtaken by the Dublin-Cork train at the end of the quad track on the down road at Hazelhatch. (Up tracks are to the left of the platform) Canon EOS 7D photo.

 

Lumix LX3 photo.
Passengers enjoying the spin behind steam.
Startled cattle run alongside the train near Bagenalstown. Canon EOS 7D photo.
Startled cattle run alongside the train near Bagenalstown. Canon EOS 7D photo.

 

More to come!

 

 

 

 

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Railway Preservation Society Ireland’s Easter Eggspress at Dalkey, April 1, 2013

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Great Southern & Western Railway 0-6-0 186 Under Steam.

GS&WR 186 with Easter Eggspress at the Dalkey Tunnel April 1, 2013. Exposed with a Canon EOS 7D fitted with 28-135mm lens, ISO 800.
GS&WR 186 with Easter Eggspress at the Dalkey Tunnel April 1, 2013. Exposed with a Canon EOS 7D fitted with 28-135mm lens, ISO 800.

This morning (April 1, 2013), I rode Irish Rail’s Dublin Area Rapid Transit service from Dublin to Dalkey, and walked out via Sorrento and Vico Roads to an overlook on the old Dublin & South Eastern line near the Dalkey Tunnel. While I photographed the parade of passenger trains, my primary objective was to catch GS&WR 186 exiting the tunnel with the Railway Preservation Society Ireland’s Easter Eggspress.

I featured this 19th century 0-6-0 in my book Steam Power  (published by Voyageur Press in 2009) on pages  158-159 and 180-181. While I’ve made many photos of this engine over the years, I wanted to catch it at least one last time, as it’s my understanding that the locomotive is due to be withdrawn soon and may not be returned to traffic in the near future.

Using two cameras, I exposed two parallel sequences of digital images, which required some ambidextrous action on my part. I positioned my Lumix LX3 on a pocket tripod, and operated this with my left hand, while with my right hand I worked my Canon EOS 7D with 28-135mm lens. Displayed here are selected results from both cameras.

Lumix LX3 view.
Lumix LX3 wide angle view.

Just a reminder:

I’ll be presenting my illustrated talk “Ireland through American Eyes 1998-2008 My first Decade in Ireland” to the London area Irish Railway Record Society on April 18, 2013.

The program begins at 1900 (7pm) upstairs at the Exmouth Arms, 1 Starcross Street, LONDON NW1, (advertised as a 5 minute walk from London’s Euston station). A nominal donation of £3.50 is asked of non-IRRS members (members £2.50).

 

 

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Gallery Post 6: Railway Preservation Society Ireland locomotive 461 at Cherryville Junction

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Today, Tuesday 6 November 2012, was another day of main-line trials with Railway Preservation Society Ireland locomotive 461; the locomotive departed from Inchicore and made its run to Portlaoise and return under mixed skies. Hugh Dempsey & I made a very productive day out catching the locomotive, IWT Liner and other trains at various locations. My Canon 7D was very active; its card is nearly full! Made use of the Lumix LX3, and exposed more than a roll of Provia 100F with the EOS-3. (What? Only one roll?! Yes yes, I know, but the digital cameras filled it where the film camera left off, or vice versa.) Here is just one of many photos from today’s very productive outing.

Sun and clouds; RPSI 461 works west toward Cherryville Junction, County Kildare on Irish Rail’s Dublin-Cork mainline on 6 November 2012. Made with a Canon 7D fitted with a 28-135mm lens. Photo by Brian Solomon

 

Brian Solomon will be giving an illustrated talk titled “Ireland  from an American Perspective 1998-2003” at the Irish Railway Record Society’s Heuston Station premises in Dublin at 7:30pm on Thursday November 8, 2012. Admission free.