photography, Tips and Technique

Tracking the Light on-going Photo Challenge: Ireland’s Oldest Railway

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The Dublin and Kingstown Railway dates to 1834, which makes it among the earliest steam railways built outside of England.

Today the route composes a part of Irish Rail’s electrified Dublin Area Rapid Transit system. Outer suburban and Intercity trains (to Rosslare), plus occasional Railway Preservation Society Ireland steam trains also use the line.

Much of the old D&K is scenically situated along the Irish Sea, yet the electrification masts and wires, combined with sea walls, fences, graffiti and suburban growth can make it difficult to obtain a satisfactory vista with the line.

In late August, I rode the DART from Tara Street Station to Blackrock, where I exposed these views using my FujiFilm XT1.

My train accelerates away from the platform at Blackrock. The modern footbridge makes for a dominant visual element, but also offers a photo platform.
My train accelerates away from the platform at Blackrock. The modern footbridge makes for a dominant visual element, but also offers a photo platform.
A Dublin bound German-built DART train approaches Blackrock. I aimed to feature the terrace houses above the line while minimizing the visually obnoxious elements of catenary and graffiti covered seawalls.
A Dublin bound German-built DART train approaches Blackrock. I aimed to feature the terrace houses above the line while minimizing the visually obnoxious elements of catenary and graffiti covered seawalls.
This view from the modern footbridge shows the old Blackrock Station. Here soft lighting is a real benefit.
This view from the modern footbridge shows the old Blackrock Station. Here soft lighting is a real benefit.
I applaud Irish Rail for installing attractive maps near the station. More of this please.
I applaud Irish Rail for installing attractive maps near the station. More of this please.

 

Looking toward Blackrock station and Dublin.
Looking toward Blackrock station and Dublin.
A 29000-series diesel multiple-unit approaches Blackrock. I made this view from the public footbridge south of the station. Here the terrace houses make for added interest and a nice compositional element. The Irish Sea is on my left, but there's a host of ugliness between the railway and the water.
A 29000-series diesel multiple-unit approaches Blackrock. I made this view from the public footbridge south of the station. Here the terrace houses make for added interest and a nice compositional element. The Irish Sea is on my left, but there’s a host of ugliness between the railway and the water.

Here, soft afternoon lighting helped minimize obtrusive elements, but there’s little in the photographs that convey the historic significance of the line.

The challenge continues . . .

Tracking the Light offers a daily views on railway photography.

 

 

One comment on “Tracking the Light on-going Photo Challenge: Ireland’s Oldest Railway”

  1. John O'Connor on said:

    Brian,

    Brings back a lot of memories – used to take the Wexford to Dublin train regularly when I was in University – this was around the time the DART Electrification was in progress.

    I was also studying electrical engineering, so CIE came in a few times to talk about the project to us and actually got a chance to drive the Dart into Glenageary in a pre-service outing.

    I think it was also one of the first commuter or sub-urban rail lines in service, but would need to check that.

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