Driver's Eye View
In 2004, trains on the Intercity route from Dublin to Sligo were still hauled by diesel locomotives. However, 2004 was destined to be their penultimate year of operation before route modernisation and the inauguration of DMU traction. Bearing this in mind and the popularity of the Rosslare Driver's Eye View produced last year, Irish Rail invited Video 125 back to record this classic line before the changes took place.
Our train of Mk 2 coaches - hauled by class 071 locomotive 088, starts its journey in one of the terminal platforms at Dublin's Connolly Station. The line follows the course of the Royal Canal most of the way to Mullingar - the railway having actually purchased the canal before building the line.
After leaving the western suburbs of the capital, the line is controlled by time-honoured electric key token block sections and semaphore signalling. Many level crossing gates are still opened and shut by hand.
As well as seeing this scenic line from the driver's cab, there are the usual trackside shots, shots of the drivers at work, shots of the signalmen at work and aerial shots taken from a helicopter accompanying our train all the way to the west coast town of Sligo.
Narrated by Henry Kelly.
Produced by - Video 125
Running time - 107 Minutes
DVD only