Meetings

IRRS London Area 2010/ 2011 Meetings

Date	Meeting Description
Thursday 21st October 2010	“Dundalk Works – 1880 to 1959” by Charles Friel Irish railway photographer, historian, and preservationist,
	Charles Friel, presents a lavishly illustrated talk about the GNR(I)’s locomotive, rolling stock and mechanical engineering works at Dundalk. Including many unpublished photos, Charles will show us scenes of the workshops and the people who worked there, including the “passing out” of railway hands. His talk will be laced with many stories from behind the scenes and will evoke the spirit and culture of that once great institution. A unique and excellently researched presentation.
Thursday 18th November 2010	“Iarnrod Eireann Developments” by Dick Fearn, Chief Executive, Iarnrod Eireann
	Dick Fearn brings us up to date with the largest railway modernisation and investment programme in Ireland since the end of steam, including the recent introduction of the intercity railcar fleet and the reopening of two lines to passenger traffic. But the economic downturn is now a challenge and at this crucial time, Dick will explain how he and his team are trying to ensure that long-term plans for further railway development are not adversely impacted.
Thursday 9th December 2010	“Government Intervention : Gauge and Achill” by Tom Ferris + a glass of Xmas cheer
	The privately owned railways of Ireland were not immune from (British) government intervention. Author and publisher, Tom Ferris, has researched two fascinating examples. Firstly, how Ireland got its 5’ 3” gauge, the arguments and issues involved, and the rights or otherwise of government to intervene in private companies in this way. Secondly, how government funding of the Achill line 40 years later was not just a railway matter but was closely linked to the Home Rule issue – and the whole future of Ireland. Two absorbing topics.
Thursday 20th January 2011	“Giants Causeway and Bessbrook & Newry Tramways” by Robin Linsley + AGM
	Former Chair of the London Area and railway archivist, Robin Linsley, reveals intriguing details of these two pioneering tramways. Between them, they were world leaders. They were the first tramways to develop use of a side conductor rail and a single overhead conductor wire, the first to use “road-rail” wagons, the first to use automatic level crossings etc etc. Come and hear more about this amazing technological revolution in rural Ireland.
	Followed by the London Area AGM at 20.40.
Thursday 17^th February 2011	“Renaissance to Success – Northern Ireland Railways 2006-11” by Mal McGreevy, General Manager – Translink Rail Services
	In 2006, Mal McGreevy recounted to us how NIR had emerged from a turbulent and uncertain period, culminating in the purchase of 23 new railcar trains. Now, hear how successful this investment has been, how ridership has grown massively, how NIR has won awards and accolades including “UK Rail Business of the Year” and most importantly, how the government is now committed to network development and the “New Trains Two” programme. Get up to date with NIR, its transformational change, and its future plans.
Thursday 17^th March 2011	“Mainly Chasing Freight – from the North Wall and beyond” by Colm O’Callaghan
	Long standing photographer and contributor to the Journal, Colm O’Callaghan, will show us (mainly) rail freight and unusual workings since the mid 1980’s, subjects that he specialised in and subjects often less well recorded than the passenger railway. He will take us on a journey from the North Wall to all corners of Ireland. Relive days gone by - a busy locomotive operated railway with A’s, 071’s, 121’s and 141/181’s hauling beet, cement, fertiliser, oil, keg beer, zinc, gypsum and liner trains. How quickly the familiar has disappeared but how fortunate that Colm recorded it all.
Thursday 14th April 2011	“Fifty Years of Irish Railways” by Gerry Siviour
	Author, photographer and accomplished speaker, Gerry Siviour, entertains us with his personal experiences of visiting Ireland over the past 50+ years, from the end of steam on both standard and narrow gauge through to the modern railway that we know today. His visits included travel on IRRS specials and his talk will encapsulate the constantly changing Irish railway scene of the past half century as seen through the eyes of an experienced observer. If you lived through it, come along and awaken your memories. If you didn’t, come and see what a very interesting railway system you missed.