| Revival |
|
|
To the delight of many, in recent years, a steam train been running over a short stretch of the old Dingle line. What is more incredible is the steam loco is a genuine survivor of the Tralee and Dingle Railway. The Hunslet-built 2-6-2T no 5 is back on the line it was built for, despite being moved away to the Cavan and Leitrim Railway upon closure of the home line. When the Cavan line closed, no 5 was acquired for the Steamtown museum in the United States and was shipped across the Atlantic. On display for many years, the fairy tale continued when the loco made the return journey to Kerry, was restored to full working order and in 1993 re-commenced duties on the relayed Tralee to Blennerville section. More recently, the delay in the heavy overhaul of No 5T has caused partial or total closure of train services.
| |
|
Services re-commenced in August 2009, using a diesel locomotive formerly in use at the West Clare Railway but were only to last a short time before closure once again.
| |
|
Please note this website has no connection with the current operators of the Tralee & Blennerville Railway, although, of course, we wish the Railway every success. For those looking for information about the Tralee & Blennerville Railway, we advise folks to contact the Tralee Tourist Office on 066 7121288.
|
|
| 
|
| Latest News... |
|
| 27 October 2011
|
A positive news item in Kerry's Eye Online reports "Tralee Town Council hopes to have the steam train between Tralee and Blennerville back on track next year, following the receipt of tenders to restore the locomotive which last operated on the railway line in 2006. The council is currently assessing bids to revamp the No 5T locomotive from its current stripped down condition at Blennerville and its conversion from coal to oil and biofuel burning. When the steam train operated along the line from the Aqua Dome to the windmill at Blennerville, it was one of Kerry’s biggest tourist attractions. The Town Council hopes its revival will enhance the development of the Lee Valley Eco-Park which is almost complete. It is expected that the locomotive will be fully operational by the autumn of 2012."
We are grateful for Mike O'Neill and Simon Starr for alerting us to this news item and to Kerry's Eye for the item itself.
| |
|
|
| No 5T at Blennerville in 2003. |
|
| A big day - No 5T comes out of the shed at Blennerville for the first time in early July 1992. Copyright Joe Dunne, courtesy of Ken Elliott |
|
|
