Change of formation for Sperry rail inspection train
THERE have been changes to the consist of the loco-hauled stock that accompanies the Sperry container wagon on its tours of the system.
Some of the vehicles of the weed spray train, which had featured on previous occasions to provide brake force, were retained for the latest tour. However, rail wagon No. 24351 was a new addition to the four vehicle consist. GM No. 072 was in charge of the train at Portlaoise PW yard on February 6, when calibration testing was being carried out. The consist was: bogie wagon
No. 30156 (1x tank and 1x spoil container), Sperry container wagon
No. 30219, ‘BR’ van No. 3187 and rail wagon No. 24351.
The Sperry train, with No. 076 in charge, was stabled at Mallow on February 10. The train visited the Cork area the next day, with No. 076 working to Cobh and No. 234 providing haulage from Cobh to Cork.
No. 075 headed the train in the Newbridge/Kildare area on February 14, while next day retro-liveried No. 073 worked it from Portlaoise PW yard to Heuston station, where the loco and its train were stabled.
No. 073 hauled the train to Bray on February 17 and then returned with it as far as North Wall yard. The same loco worked the train from North Wall to M3 Parkway and return on February 18. Wagon No. 24351 was removed at North Wall, and No. 073 hauled the three-vehicle consist to Maynooth and return. The consist was subsequently restored to four vehicles, with an empty flat wagon attached.
The Sperry train, again worked by No. 073, ran fromWaterford to Limerick on February 20 and then traversed the Nenagh branch the next day. No. 073 hauled it from Ballybrophy to Lisduff yard, where the loco ran round and then returned it to Portlaoise PW Yard.
No. 073 worked the train from Portlaoise to North Wall on February 23. The flat wagon was removed and
No. 073 worked the three-vehicle consist to Navan and to Dundalk on February 24. After being stabled at Dundalk, the train returned to North Wall the next day.