• Skip to main content

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

All Photographs Supplied By William Murphy

Home » FX30

FX30

MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION

October 17, 2023 by infomatique

DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023


DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023

I decided to visit Drogheda this week and I booked a seat on the Enterprise and it took less than 40 minutes to travel from Connolly in Dublin to Drogheda. Unfortunately the return journey was not at all pleasant – even though I had reserved a seat the train was packed to the extent that it was close to impossible to board the train and of course it was impossible to get to my seat. I had to stand in the area between two carriages as did many many others. Apparently an earlier train had broken down and unfortunately this is not an infrequent event [over a period of about three years I have twice been on Enterprise trains that have failed].

Enterprise is the cross-border inter-city train service between Dublin Connolly in Ireland and Belfast Lanyon Place in Northern Ireland, jointly operated by Iarnród Éireann (IE) and NI Railways (NIR). It operates on the Belfast–Dublin railway line.

Each push-pull trainset consists of seven coaches and a 201 Class locomotive. The 28 carriages were delivered as four sets of seven but entered service as three sets of eight, with two locomotives from each operator. The coaches were manufactured by De Dietrich Ferroviaire, while the locomotives are from GM-EMD; ownership of the rolling stock is shared between both operators, with carriage maintenance by NIR and locomotives maintained by IE. The coaching stock is based on the Class 373 EMU stock used by Eurostar, with the interiors identical. The EMU stock is articulated and permanently coupled, but the Enterprise is ordinary coaching stock.

The service had suffered from a lack of reliability of the locomotives, which provide head end power to the train. Unlike CIÉ’s Dublin-Cork services, which operate with the locomotive operating with a generator control car that provides power for lighting and heating the train, the Enterprise fleet was only equipped with an ordinary control car, which had no power generating capability. This meant that the locomotive had to provide all the power for the train, both motive and generating. Extended operation in this mode caused damage, so four further locomotives were allocated to Enterprise from the CIÉ fleet. However, this still required locomotives to be used in HEP mode, so in May 2009 the Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland requested an estimate for the provision of generator functions for the existing rolling stock so that head-end power mode would no longer be needed.

In order to avoid further problems, a modified Mark 3 Generator van, formerly 7604, was introduced on Monday 10 September 2012. Three further such generator vans have since entered service.

The original Drogheda station, on the Dublin and Drogheda Railway line, opened on 26 May 1844. It was originally located about a quarter mile southeast of the current station. The passenger station was relocated when the first temporary Boyne Viaduct opened on 11 May 1853.

The former GNR(I) branch to Oldcastle (opened to Navan in 1850; throughout 1863) diverges from the Dublin-Belfast mainline immediately south of the station. This serves Irish Cement at Drogheda and Tara Mine near Navan.

The present station is located on a sharp curve on the southern approach to the Boyne Viaduct. Formerly there were three lines through the station between the ‘up’ and ‘down’ platforms, but when the station was refurbished in 1997, the up platform line was removed and the platform widened.

It was given the name MacBride on Sunday 10 April 1966 in commemoration of John MacBride, one of the executed leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916.


  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224165-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224166-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224167-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224161-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224162-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224163-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224164-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224158-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224159-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224160-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224153-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224154-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224156-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224157-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224151-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224152-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224155-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224149-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224150-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224145-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224146-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224147-1
  • MacBRIDE RAILWAY STATION [DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023]-224148-1

Filed Under: Drogheda, MacBride Train Station, Railway Station, Train Station Tagged With: Belfast–Dublin railway line, CIE, Drogheda, Enterprise, Fotonique, FX30, Iarnród Éireann, Infomatique, MacBride Station, NI Railways, Public Transport, Sony, William Murphy

DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED

August 20, 2023 by infomatique

TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN


The station was unusually busy for a Saturday as there was a Rugby Match at Lansdowne. As soon as I arrived there was a special train and that reduced the pressure on the southbound service however because of the crowding I abandoned my plan to visit Greystones and travelled North to Howth instead.

The Dublin Area Rapid Transit system (stylised as DART) is an electrified commuter rail railway network serving the coastline and city of Dublin, Ireland. The service makes up the core of Dublin’s suburban railway network, stretching from Greystones, County Wicklow, in the south to Howth and Malahide in north County Dublin. The DART serves 31 stations and consists of 53 route kilometres of electrified railway (46 km (29 mi) double track, 7 km (4.3 mi) single), and carries in the region of 20 million passengers per year. In a similar manner to the Berlin S-Bahn, the DART blends elements of a commuter rail service and a rapid transit system.

The DART system was established by Córas Iompair Éireann in 1984 to replace an ageing fleet of diesel-powered locomotives. It was, and still is, the only electric mainline railway in Ireland, and one of two currently operating electric railways, the other being the Luas tram which opened in 2004. Since 1987, the service is operated by Iarnród Éireann, Ireland’s national rail operator. Contemporary rolling stock on the DART network is powered by 1,500 V DC overhead lines and uses the 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Irish gauge.

All trains in the Dublin suburban area, including DART services, are monitored and regulated by a Central Traffic Control (CTC) facility located in Connolly Station, known as Suburban CTC. This facility has been extensively automated and requires a staff of five; two signallers, one with responsibility for level crossings, an electrical control officer, who supervises the electrical power supply equipment and an overall supervisor. The main CTC is staffed at all times however, there are also backup local control rooms which allow services to continue in the event of serious technical problems.

A single driver is responsible for the management of each train from the cab in the leading carriage. Automatic doors are controlled by the driver and are armed upon arrival at stations. Real-time passenger information displays on station platforms offer passengers updates on the next train arrival times, service updates and outages. Automatic PA announcements are made in case of service disruptions and are tailored to each station.

The majority of stations on the network have been renovated to include automatic barriers which require passengers to submit their tickets for verification before they can set foot on the platform. A ticket is required in advance of boarding DART services and can be purchased at stations from staffed kiosks and automated machines. Passengers can also avail of the option of using a Leap Card, Dublin’s integrated ticketing scheme. Leap cards are offered as contactless cards onto which passengers can load set ticket options or a cash balance. Leap fares are typically cheaper than paying in cash for a journey. On the DART network, users tag on at their point of entry and tag off at their exit point. Irish Rail, along with Dublin’s other public transport operators operated its own smart card system which was phased out to coincide with the Leap Card’s introduction. Revenue protection officers check passengers’ tickets to ensure validity both onboard trains and on station platforms at random intervals.

Several proposals have been made to expand the DART network beyond the coastal mainline and provide service to the north and west of the city. These expansion plans included a proposed tunnel linking the Docklands Station at Spencer Dock in the city’s quays and Heuston Station. This proposed DART Underground project, first posited in 1972, included plans for services from Celbridge/Hazelhatch to the Docklands via St. Stephen’s Green. The DART Underground project was put on hold in September 2015. While included in the Greater Dublin Transport Strategy 2016-2035 (published in 2016), the DART Underground proposal was not included in the Greater Dublin Area Strategy 2022-2042 (published in 2021).

In 2017, IÉ announced plans to procure a new fleet of trains with the intention of extending DART services from 2023 onwards. An initial purchase of 100 vehicles was proposed to allow replacement of the existing fleet; this proposed purchase would include bi-mode units to allow services to run beyond the existing electrified network.

In December 2021, IÉ announced that Alstom had been selected as the provider of up to 750 new vehicles, with 325 planned as part of the DART+ plan. Part of Alstom’s X’Trapolis family, an initial purchase of 95 vehicles is to be undertaken, formed into 19 5-car units. A total of 13 of these are due to be fitted both with pantographs to operate using the 1,500 V DC OHLE on the main DART network, and batteries to allow operation on non-electrified routes. The battery operation is planned to allow the extension of DART services as far as Drogheda. The remaining units in the initial batch are expected to also be 5-car, fitted with pantograph only.[23]

In 2023, Alstom revealed prototypes of the new DART trains. The prototype plans include 4 bike spaces per car, space to charge e-bikes and scooters, dedicated wheelchair areas, and automatic ramps for passenger accessibility. In April 2023, TD Fergus O’Dowd suggested that the first set of trains were due to be delivered by 2025, enabling expansion of DART services to Drogheda along the DART+ Coastal North route.


  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 016
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 015
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 014
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 013
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 012
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 010
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 009
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 008
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 007
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 006
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 005
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 004
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 003
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 002
  • DART TRAINS COMING AND GOING WHILE THE RUGBY FANS ARREAR TO BE CONFUSED [TARA STREET STATION IN DUBLIN] 001

Filed Under: DART, Public Transport, Sony FX30, Tara Street Tagged With: 85mm Lens, DART, Fotonique, FX30, Howth, Infomatique, Ireland, Public Transport, Railway Station, Sony, Tara Street Station, Train Station, Trains, William Murphy

DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION

August 18, 2023 by infomatique

THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE


I used this station on a regular basis for about forty years and only recently discovered that it was named Mallin Station.

When I visited the station it was unusually busy as there was a Cruise Ship at anchor in the the bay and passengers had been encouraged to use the DART service to explore Dublin. According to a member of staff there was a different ship on the previous day and another one scheduled for the following day.

The station has been named Mallin Station since 1966, after Michael Mallin, although it is usually referred to simply as Dún Laoghaire. It has two through platforms and one terminal platform and is served by DART services, the South Eastern Commuter line, and InterCity services to Rosslare Europort via Wexford.

Unusually, the station building is on a bridge above the platforms, in a setup similar to Leixlip Louisa Bridge railway station. The station has a ticket counter, automatic ticket machines and a small coffee shop/smoothie bar.


  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 008
  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 007
  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 006
  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 005
  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 004
  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 003
  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 002
  • DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS MALLIN STATION [THE TRAIN STATION IN DUN LAOGHAIRE] 001

Filed Under: DART, Mallin Station, Railway Station, Sony FX30, Train Station Tagged With: Dun Laoghaire, Fotonique, FX30, Infomatique, Ireland, mallin station, Public Transport, Railway Station, Sony, Train Station, William Murphy

THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY

August 16, 2023 by infomatique

NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN


The Point Luas stop is the easternmost terminus of the docklands extension of the Luas Red Line light rail system. This Luas link to Tallaght connects the Point Village to other transport options, including the DART, suburban rail, Busáras, mainline rail, and the future Dublin Metro. The Dublin Port Tunnel southern portal is located nearby.

There are a few entities, at the same location, called “The Point” in Dublin. The most famous one is the Point Theatre, which was a concert and events venue that operated from 1988 to 2007. It was located on the North Wall Quay of the River Liffey, amongst the Dublin Docklands. The Point was closed in the middle of 2007 for a major redevelopment and underwent a rebranding as The O2 in July 2008. The O2 is now a world-class entertainment venue that hosts a wide variety of events, including concerts, sporting events, and conferences.

Another place called “The Point” in Dublin is Point Square. Point Square is a shopping mall and entertainment complex that is located next to the 3Arena. It is home to a number of stores, restaurants, and a cinema. Point Square is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Finally, there is also a tram stop called “The Point”.


  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 013
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 012
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 011
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 010
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 009
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 008
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 007
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 006
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 005
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 004
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 003
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 002
  • THE POINT TRAM TERMINUS AND NEARBY [NORTH WALL AREA OF DUBLIN] 001

Filed Under: Dublin Docklands, North Wall Area, Point Tram Stop, Red Line, Tram Stop Tagged With: Docklands, Dublin, Fotonique, FX30, Infomatique, Ireland, Liffey, luas tram stop, North Of The River, North Wall Quay Area, Public Transport, Sony, The Point, William Murphy

BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS MONDAY 14 AUGUST 2023

August 14, 2023 by infomatique

I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS


Today I was offered an unused Samyang 12mm AF lens at a very low price so I purchased it and then went to Leixlip in order to see how it performed.

To get to Leixlip I got a tram from Broadstone to Broombridge and then a train from there to Leixlip.

Leixlip is connected to the Irish railway network on the Dublin-Sligo railway line, running from Dublin Connolly to Sligo, with two stations, Leixlip (Louisa Bridge), opened on 1 September 1848, and Leixlip (Confey), opened on 2 July 1990, located at either end of the town. While InterCity services to Sligo do not serve the town, the Maynooth/Longford Commuter services do, the frequency of the trains peaking in the mornings and evenings. Some of these services continue outbound to Mullingar and Longford. Leixlip has the distinction of being the only town in the Republic of Ireland with two operational train stations.

I got off at Confey and walked via the village to Louisa Bridge and much to my surprise I had to wait about forty minutes for a train back to Broombridge.

Samyang Optics is a South Korean manufacturer of camera lenses for several major brands of third-party mounts for still photography and video cameras. The company was founded in 1972 and has about 150 employees. Samyang exports to 58 countries through 39 overseas agents and distributors.

In July 2023, Samyang joined the L-Mount Alliance.

Samyang products are also sold under a wide variety of different brand names. Some examples are Rokinon, Bower, Opteka, Vivitar, Phoenix and Quantaray.


  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 013
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 012
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 011
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 010
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 009
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 008
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 007
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 006
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 005
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 004
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 003
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 002
  • BROOMBRIDGE TRAIN STATION AND TRAM TERMINUS [I USED A SAMYANG 12MM F2 AF LENS] 001

Filed Under: Broombridge, Broombridge Railway Station, Broombridge Tram Stop, Public Transport, Samyang 12mm Lens Tagged With: Broombridge, fish-eye lens, Fotonique, FX30, Infomatique, Railway Station, Samyang, Sony, Trains, Tram Terminus, ublic Transport, wide angle, William Murphy

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

You will find links to buy products from Amazon, Google and other partners. If you click on these links, you’ll find that the URL includes a small extra piece of text which identifies that the click came from my websites. This text is an affiliate code, and it means that I get a small percentage of the money you spend if you choose to buy that product, or, in some cases, other products from the site soon after. These affiliate links help pay the costs of producing my websites and ensure that the content is free to you.