The big news this month is that the steam engine will be running on 5 days each week starting on Monday 3^rd. The engine will run on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week until further notice. This reflects the increase in numbers of visitors during the week that has suddenly occurred all of whom are eager to see “Slieve Callan” in full working order.

            A new display of working rolling stock is now in situ – namely, a locomotive and trucks from Bord na Mona illustrating their industrial railway operations.  Soon, it is hoped, this train will prove to be of great use when the track is extended towards the bay as tippler trucks are ideal for ballast-laying. A tanker truck is waiting to be painted and this will provide an ideal track-spraying vehicle during the coming months.

            TG4, the Irish Language TV channel, will be filming at the railway on 9^th-11^th and Jackie requests that all local farmers be made aware as the film includes an IRA/Black & Tan confrontation c. 1920 which could inflame the old boys and could lead to cold-blooded murder if a fully-equipped Black & Tan is found wandering around the village between “takes”!

            We are delighted to receive this year’s copy of “Railways Restored 2010. 31^st. edition.” In which we are described as Ireland’s friendliest railway and the only heritage line where steam can be regularly found in the Republic.

            Looking forward to greeting you!

Sliabh Callan pulls out at 12 pm.

All aboard

            Stephen, driver & fitter, has begun a program of making the railway’s infrastructure work and a signal has now appeared on one of the posts at the end of the platform. He intends to make both posts work from hidden switches on the platform soon which will add much to the general fun. In the meantime, he is fighting the rust in the swivelling mechanism of the water crane and he continues to show the famous Whelan determination by refusing to give up despite all disappointments.

            Not only has ex-Bord na Mona stock been collected for the railway’s displays of industrial railways in Ireland but 2’ gauge trucks have been found at Ardnacrusha and will soon be brought to Moyasta for preservation. A massive hydro-electric power station was built at Ardnacrusha during the 1930’s and the River Shannon itself had to be diverted to accommodate the works. The canal that was formed needed to be regularly dredged and these trucks were pulled along the towpath railway collecting the dredgings from the dredging boat for dumping elsewhere. A static display of these historic vehicles on a short 2’ gauge industrial track is envisaged.

            Sunday 11^th July will see the commencement of Jackie’s latest idea of bussing in visitors from Kilkee. A Courtesy Coach is being laid on to bring passengers on the hour between 1pm and 5pm to the station from the car park close to the beach at the south end of the town. This will, no doubt, increase the number of passengers considerably especially when the weather is not as kind as it has been during this past few weeks and it will be a new and exciting attraction for the famous holiday resort.

A plea for information.

A list of those who are known to have worked on the West Clare Railway at any time between 1884 and 1961 is being prepared. It is not known if the company’s employment records have survived so there are no official lists that can be resourced from anywhere. It is now a matter of carrying out local research from which such information can be collected before it disappears into the misty realms of hearsay and rumour.

If you know of any person who worked on the railway,

will you please send the information to any member of the staff or to our website via e-mail or even by post so that those names can be added to the list.

It is doubtful whether the list can ever be made complete but let us not forget those whose memory is still with us. The list will soon be placed on display in the station house and will be regularly updated as new information is gained. If someone you knew does not appear on that list, then you will only have yourselves to blame if you do not pass the information on to us.

Thank you

Diesel Trains will operate on the other days. Times: 10am to 5 pm

Other Steam days can be arranged for groups on request.

The railway has been operating an “Open at Weekends” policy together with one of “Open to Request”. Many visitors have been taking advantage of the latter including an unexpected “Day-out” bus of trippers expecting tea and buns as well!, surprising Jackie as he was strimming the grass alongside the track! All turned out well of course, thanks to Susan and Mary (or, after the “Nationwide” article, is it Nellie?) for their hard work. Also, a most welcome number of school bookings have been received and we are all looking forward to meeting and sharing the experience of the West Clare Railway with them. Jackie has recently been described as a “living museum of Ireland”, in a website mentioning the railway, so our educational brief is improving almost every day!

Planning permission for the museum has, as previously reported, been granted but an appeal by the National Roads Authority has been lodged and building cannot, therefore, begin until the situation has been resolved. The NRA seem to be keen to see the museum go ahead but have their reservations (and, no doubt, their regulations) regarding such a feature crossing their road. However, the work to resolve the appeal must go ahead and traffic surveys have already been completed and all documentation forwarded and submitted to “An Bord Pleanala”. The result is now awaited but Jackie will be keeping a close watching brief and will assist the process when possible and necessary.

And so, little has appeared to have been done on the surface but, like the swan calmly swimming on the water, the feet are working at tremendous rate beneath that surface. Recent advancements and improvements include;

• The trackway running towards the red bridge over Poulnasherry Bay is now being prepared,
• ex-Bord na Mona side-tipping trucks from Co. Offaly have arrived for use in track ballasting along with;
• the arrival of 2 diesel locomotives which both need considerable renovation work, although their Gardner engines appear to be in great condition,
• and, subject to planning, ground preparation for the museum can soon begin.
• The station house displays have been developed and enhanced and are looking first class and much improved.

An 1876 water tank manufactured of cast iron, capable of holding some 5000 gallons or so, and which is expected to become part of the waste water collection system at the museum, was recently acquired from the site of the old army barracks in Clarecastle, Co. Clare. It will be necessary to stem some leaks but nothing that would not be expected of a 134 year old water retainer.

If you have spare time in the coming days and want a useful project to help pass the time, consider writing to your TD or An Bord Pleanala and give them the benefit of your views regarding the desirability of the railway heritage museum at Moyasta. All such support will be gratefully received.

See you soon!

We are open every day from May Bank Holiday weekend (Monday 3rd May) until Thursday 30th September.

The Steam engine will run Thursday to Monday only, and the diesel engine will run Tuesday and Wednesday only.

There is ample parking for buses and coaches, so just give us a call or email to discuss your particular requirements.