|
February 2007—my work takes me back to Northern Ireland for the first time in about a year, and I will add a couple of extra days onto this trip. Plans are to also venture south to the Republic of Ireland and make a trip to Galway on the west coast—somewhere I have never ventured before.
Work finished for the week, Saturday February 10 is to be a rail day. Weather is cloudy and cool with showers, but that just makes the train an even better bet. I start by heading over to Belfast Central Station where I plan to purchase my tickets to Galway for tomorrow, and then will ride around Northern Ireland a bit.
I walk up to the window, planning to get a first class round trip from Belfast through Dublin to Galway on Sunday, with a return for Monday. Then the surprise—the agent tells me that the Enterprise trains for Sunday to Dublin are fully sold out! This is due a huge football match—Ireland vs France that will be played tomorrow. Oops—the plan is in jeopardy—I really need to get to Galway on Sunday as I have a business appointment for Sunday evening. After much discussion about options, she lets me now that she could accommodate me in a single seat on one of the “Rugby Specials” - then I could tear up the return and do the other legs of the trip as planned. Works for me—and I am set. Now for the easy part—a Northern Ireland Railway day pass for today—at 14 pounds it is a real bargain!
And so, I spend the day riding from Belfast to Londonderry and back (two hours each way) and then to Bangor and back (30 minutes each way) on the new CAF Diesel MU’s that are now the standard equipment for most of the NIR services. The rides are great, the scenery along the north coast between Coleraine and Derry is particularly nice with oceanside running, tunnels etc. in the Castlerock area. (below, Northern Ireland Railways CAF DMU at Derry)
Sunday, February 11—the big day. I arrive early at Belfast Central and find quite an operation! There is not just one Rugby Special—there are three of them plus the regular Enterprise service—the first Rugby Special is set for 0935, the second (that I am on) is to depart at 0950, the Enterprise at 1000, and another special at 1015.
Needless to say, the station becomes very busy—but the staff have it all in hand. Signs are made up and creatively taped to long poles, establishing separate lines for each of the four trains that will head to Dublin. Long lines form—I am at the head of mine—at 0915 the first train boards and departs on time. Now its our turn, and we proceed through the gates at 0935, wonder what our train will be? Turns out to be a two unit set of the new DMU’s, we board on Track One—the ten car Enterprise beside us is set for the 1000 departure. I get a great window seat and prepare for a crowded and noisy trip.
The train fills to about 95% - somehow I end up with a two-seat to myself, and we pull out right on time at 0950. We will operate non-stop to Dublin. The pleasant interior and large windows are a bonus for this trip—I have made it many times in the comfortable Enterprise—which has long haul services but much smaller windows. The views are great!
This is no ordinary train though, as soon becomes apparent. The groups are excited, loud, and well stocked with provisions. Even though it is only just after 1000—the Guinness is flowing quickly and the noise level rises. I still enjoy the ride and it is quite an experience seeing how NIR can move several thousand fans to a game. The stadium is just a short walk from Dublin Connolly station, and thankfully all these people will not be on the roads. I hear later that Ireland loses to France and am quietly thankful that my ride with the fans was before the game!
Arrival at Dublin was about 20 minutes late at 1250, and I now need to change station from Dublin Connolly to Dublin Heuston. My scheduled departure for Galway is at 1345, and the new LUAS tram gets me to the station quickly. I have time for a bite as well as to look around. Platform access is ok here, so I am able to see the new Irish Railways trainsets now operating to Cork (photo below). My train to Galway turns out to be the older style orange coaches with GMDD diesel power.
Our consist is GMDD locomotive / generator car / first class car / café car and five coaches. I settle into a coach seat and we pull out at 1353—eight minutes late. The mainline is crowded with trains bringing football fans inbound. We switch to the Galway branch at Portarlington at 1435, and then enjoy the single track running with rolling hill scenery. We meet an eastbound at 1506, and continue west. Arrival in Galway is on time at 1621.
Galway turns out to be a very nice place—pity I don’t have much time to explore here, but I vow to return when I can. Business done on Monday AM, I am back to the Galway train station to witness the arrival of the train from Dublin. Similar consist to yesterday, the train arrives and unloads, then backs out of the stub ended station. The locomotive uncouples and changes ends, then the train backs into the station to board. Consist is now locomotive, 5 coaches, snack car, first class car and generator car on the tail end. I board and again find a coach seat (the configuration on this Intercity equipment is all facing fours with tables).
We depart Galway on time at 1053, and I am on my return trip. Passing Athenry at 1109, I notice a platform and a water plug for steam. We take the siding and meet a westbound at Woodlawn at 1122, meet another at Tullamore at 1220, and arrive at Dublin Heuston at 1340 after some 70 mph running on the wide gauge mainline. Off the train and onto a very busy LUAS tram for the transfer to Dublin Connolly station (photo below), then into line for the Enterprise which will take me back to Belfast.
We board The Enterprise at 1500 for a 1520 departure, and pull out right on time with a very heavy load aboard. Leaving Connolly station we pass by Irish Railways’ diesel shops and see lots of GMDD built power around. (photo page 26)
It’s a straight forward typical day on the Enterprise (no Rugby crowd today) as we clip north on the double track mainline with stops at Drogheda at 1555, and Dundalk at 1617. Then we are into Northern Ireland (no border here) with our next stop at Newry, and into Belfast on time at 1720. Another visit to the Emerald Isle is complete, and tomorrow it’s back to Vancouver on BMI to London Heathrow, then Air Canada to Vancouver.
|
