Al, Helen and I spent a plesent Sunday afternoon exploring the world's largest miniature railway or is it the world's smallest public railway? We also took a trip up the old lighthouse at Dungeoness. However, we weren't able to visit the visitors' centre at the nuclear power plant because it's closed permanently.

The railways is quite cool. They have tiny steam locomotives running on 15" gauge track. However they are 1/3 scale representations of big locomotives and look really stunning.

Photos here.

The 8:32 Drogheda-Pearse was a supposed to be 6 car set. There was announcement after we were sitting on it for ten minutes, but the volume was too low to make out. There was a second announcement telling every to disembark to the (invisible) train on platform 2. I asked the driver what the problem was and he said brakes. Apparently there's no spare in Drogheda, so we told a train would arrive from Dublin at 8.55. Then, everyone got back on the original train, apparently responding to some hidden cue, and there was an announcement apologising for the late running. The engine then revved for a few minutes. Another announcement then told us the train is now out of service, and another train would be arriving on platform 2. According to the timetable, there should be a train from Dublin at 9.05, though it's supposed to go on to Dundalk. At 9.10 a train saying Dundalk on the front a pulled in to the service depot. A few minutes later it reversed out, and finally made it's way on to the platform. It finally departed at 9.18, but is only a four cars long, so it's likely to get very packed, especially since it will also be picking up everyone who's early for the 9.30 service. It's also occurred to me that we left about 2 minutes before a non-stop Enterprise normally passes through, so we'll be holding that up too.

I was on the first public run of thje new Sligo train on Wednesday. It's a very nice train. Comfortable, smooth, and reasonably fast. The Sligo route has been running with commuter trains for the last couple of years, and they aren't really suitable, though it's a toss up which is better between them and the 1970s coaches they replaced.

Like the commuter trains, the new trains have an engine under each coach, but you'd be hard pressed to notice. Even under full acceleration it's easy to forget it's there.

The passengerb area is well laid out, with comfey seats, big tables, and plenty of leg room. Unlike many trains, the seats all line up with the windows, so you always get a good view. There are power sockets at every table, so laptop power is not a problem, though there's no WiFi.

The toilets are neatly laid out, with acres of room in the accessible toilet. The standard toilet is very compact, but it it all works surprisingly well.

The journey was pretty uneventful, though the timekeeping was a little sloppy, leaving about 3 mins late at both ends. They made up the time, but if you can't get it right for the press run, when can you?

Unfortunately my new camera didn't arrive until yesterday, but I'll post up some photos from my camerphone later.

Oh yeah.