Irish preserves SMRS sleeper trip 2009
Irish preserves SMRS sleeper trip 2009 Our second foray into Euroland, and this time we went with a show of strength. Six personnel in two cars, with the chairman and deputy chairman in separate vehicles for reasons of security. The mission objectives were deceptively simple - visit as much of Ireland’s preserved railways in the six days allocated, crossing the border freely to maximise travelling efficiencies. The sleeper element was achieved by booking night cabins on the Norfolkline ferry from Birkenhead to Belfast. From there we headed west for rural Ireland, seeking the preserved remains of a once-extensive system of railways, both standard and narrow-gauge. Accommodation was in pre-selected bed-andbreakfast establishments, chosen for their ability to cater for six single men well past the age when they might cause trouble by staying up all hours making a nuisance of themselves, if we ever did of course. The route was also pre-selected, although precise details of navigation were entrusted to a sat-nav of
typical self-belief in its own infallibility, even when the roads chosen were not only narrow but also had a centre-line marked with vegetation rather than with the more customary white line. Subsistence involved patronising a variety of ethnic restaurants and beer-houses, including one that seemd to have hardly changed since the 1950s, right down to the provision of full-cream milk on draught. Whether it was piped direct from an adjacent dairy was not ascertained, but it seemed more than a possibility. As always the local inhabitants were both friendly and hospitable, on both sides of a border which seemed in many instances to be detectable only by subtle changes in road markings and signage. The enthusiasm for railway preservation was found to be alive and well, although restricted in some cases by limited public and official awareness of the benefits such activity can have to the local, and perhaps even to the national economy.
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The route
The aim was to drive in an approximate figure-of-eight to cover first the northern and then the central railway attractions. Regrettably the southern sector was beyond what could be achieved in the time available. We will just have to go back again sometime. The trip started at the Kasturi restaurant, Southport, to ensure we departed fully energised for the rigours of sea travel.
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Fintown After a visit to the museum at Donegal station (reached by way of a refreshment stop in Strabane) we had an excursion along the side of Lough Finn courtesy of the Fintown Railway.
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Dublin Dublin was our last port of call, we stayed in the suburbs to avoid creating unnecessary suspicion, and to ease traffic management. Getting from the B&B to the docks the next morning was a different matter... 18
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The End (for now) Mission acomplished. A highly enjoyable and interesting trip.