Day Two of the Birthday Weekend Trip…
Up at seven, wash and have an ‘Irish Breakfast’,
along with cereal and cup of Tea.
Over to Cork Kent Railway Station and the reason why I travelled over four hundred miles was evident.
The ‘Suir Lee Knot’ Railtour by
Táilte Tours was their first tour to start from Cork. It was formed of two; two car Tokyo ‘2600’ DMU’s which work commuter services around the area. They supposedly look quite similar to the Class 158 and 159’s on UK soil. And they sound very much similar with a Cummins NTA-855-R1 engine and a six speed semi automatic gearbox, which provides a very thrashy experience.
The tour took in the sights of the South; travelling from Cork, first heading as if heading to Cobh but in fact reversing to then head round the station, ticking out a bit of track to those who need it.
Up the long climb through the longest rail tunnel in Ireland towards Mallow for pick up. Then ‘Sprinting’ (emphasis on Sprinting as they really do sound like a thrashy Sprinter 😂), towards Limerick Junction to pick up. Reversing onto the Waterford line. And ticking out Tipperary loop, stopping at Clonmel for photos and onto Carrick-on-Suir for another photo stop and visit to the Irish Traction Group stall and locomotive (226) on display. From there direct to Waterford
Overall it was a brilliant day, and a grand way to visit new places, but also take in what a rail enthusiast likes best.
Departure time from Cork was 10 AM
Departure from Waterford was at 15:55
Stops were: Mallow (pu), Limerick Junction (pu),
Tipperary Loop (in order to 🖍️✅), Clonmel for photos, Carrick-on-Suir for photos and Waterford
Return stops: fast to Tipperary for photos, Limerick Junction (sd), Charleville for photos, Mallow (sd) and Cork.
