Island of Ireland IV - Day 4 - The Cork Stopper - 19th May 2019

Hover over a thumbnail image for the caption; click on the image to display a larger version.

Historical map<br>[© Dave Cromarty 2019]	The Youghal (east) end of Midleton station, the branch is actually signalled from Cork.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Taken through the unit's windscreen. The rarest track of the tour; the east (Youghal) end continuation beyond Midleton P1 which deviates right. The main signal is a fixed red but the Ground Position Signal is set for the tour to proceed, which it did. The 5' 3" broader standard gauge is evident.<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]	In the station siding at Cobh (once part of the run round loop in loco hauled days). Does anyone know how far this is from Dublin Heuston by any chance?<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]	is this the train for Barking? An extra passenger joined as a guest for part of the tour...<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]	Something a bit different at Cork station (middle screen); an 09.40 to Cobh calling at 'Midleton Express' which was 'The Cork Stopper'...<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]	Our railtour awaiting departure at the 'country' end of Cork P4.<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]
Midleton, the end of line (6m 29ch from Cobh Jn), the station is 'middle' far right in the distance...<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]	Midleton the end of line looking east, the trackbed to the former stations at Mogeely, Killeagh and Youghal terminus is off to the left.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Returning to Midleton station, the trap points and Ground Position Signal are both set, a very rare occurrence here.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Approaching Cobh Jn (which is over 171miles from Dublin Heuston) from the Midleton branch; the station ahead is Glounthaune.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Approaching Cork P3 from Midleton, the 'crane count' shows the City was booming. The train on the right is in the Down Siding.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Cobh - a section of platform which trains don't normally percolate to. The station siding buffer stops are middle far left. The following day two of the participants walked from Cork to Cobh (except for a short ferry section), more of that in a future BLN.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Two great enthusiasts at Cobh, our Kev Adlam on the left and Cork driver Ken Fox. The normal passenger train stop point is evident.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]
The Cork Stopper stops for a traditional photo stop at Carrigaloe while returning from Cobh to Cork.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Approaching Cork on the Up line, the 'feather' is set for the Cork Loop (straight on here). TRACKmaps is diagrammatic, isn't it Martyn?<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Heading towards Mallow on the Cork Loop, the curved brick wall on the right is the back of Cork P5.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Approaching Mallow from Cork the route is set into P1; the facing crossover ahead was required by most of those on our tour.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	On Tralee branch it became first passenger train on the lengthy siding at Banteer (behind P1); causing much banter onboard.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Banteer Siding (Up side) in the other direction, and no, for the record, we weren't going to Nenagh, Dun Laoghaire, Portlaoise or Westport!<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Not the Bluebell Railway but approaching Rathmore from the Mallow end with the route set for the Down Siding behind P1, to the left.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]
It's not going to Claremorris either; the Cork Stopper is now in Rathmore Down Siding behind P1<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	After a shunt across to the shorter Rathmore P2, our tour crossed the 11.50 Tralee to Dublin (a well filled 7 car unit).<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Approaching Tralee the route is set for bay P2 on the left; participants were surprised by the number train trains stabled here. Track is lifted beneath the overall roof ahead but used to continue another 8 miles to Fenit (last train 2 Jun 1978).<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Tralee bay P2 showing Tullamore as the destination (Fenit would have been nice). Note the rust on the track at this extremity<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	Reaching the parts others don't reach, trains don't normally venture this far down Tralee bay P2.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	This is after a shunt to the main P1 end of line, the stop blocks on the left are before the overall roof. Bay P2 is off picture to the left. The 8 mile long Fenit branch used to continue straight ahead to the right here.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	It's a long way to Dundalk from Tralee in a unit (your Editor confesses to not noticing the many destination changes on the day.) Tralee P1, a scene somewhat reminiscent of Minehead.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]
Another rusty track extremity done, Kilarney bay P2. Main P1 is to the right with the end of line and overall roof ahead.<br>[© Neil Dinnen 2019]	At the north (Dublin) end of Mallow P1, although with the destination showing 'Waterford' it really should have been on the opposite side of the line in the Fermoy Bay for a run to Waterford via Fermoy, Ballinacourty and Kilmeadan (closed in 1967).<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]	pproaching the northern portal of the 1,355yd Cork Tunnel with light at the end of the tunnel. Were there sidings on the left once?<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]	Our driver Ken Fox with Kev Adlam back at at Cork P3 after a brilliant (including the sunshine), very enjoyable, 204 mile railtour.<br>[&copy; Neil Dinnen 2019]