Awake in the middle of the night and thinking that my Irish Post is not complete as I have ignored the Irish Broad Gauge Tram systems where there may be the odd Steam Tram or two, Dublin and Blessington is one that comes immediately to mind. However first I have a slightly better view of one of the Giants Causway Steam Trams plus one of the Castlederg and Victoria Bridge ones. Plus another Steam Tramway that I had forgotten about.
GIANT CAUSWAY NO.3 Dunluce Castle Wilkinson Loco of 1886
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CASTLEDERG AND VICTORIA BRIDGE. A Kitson product of the early 20th Century.
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There now follows some views of the Larger Gauge Steam Trams in Ireland. Unlike UK not many Cities had Steam Trams most going either direct from Horse to Electric, Opening with Electric or closing down direct from Horse Trams.
CAVEHILL AND WHITWELL TRAMWAY (Belfast)
This line just about qualifies for Broad Gauge being built to 4'9" Gauge of the Belfast Tramway which ultimately took overvthe line with Electric Trams. One of the two only Kitson Steam Trams that ooerated on this line.
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DUBLIN AND LUCAN STEAM TRAMWAY
This was a rather unusual Tramway in that it had 3 Gauges, 3' in Stram Tram days, 3'6" when the line was electrified then 5'3" when taken over by the DUTC. So another 3 foot that I have to add! The loco below is the last of 6 Kitson Steam Trams built in 1887. For the 7th and final Steam Tram a Green product of 1892 was purchased.
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DUBLIN AND BLESSINGTON STEAM TRAMWAY COMPANY
This was the inly Irish Steam Tramway to operate Steam Trams in the Irish Broad Gauge of 5'3" chosen to match the Dublin Electric Trams it appears. I rather like the Push me You Pull T.Green Product shown in the following 2 pics. Dragging that Trailer it can hardly be described as anything other than a Steam Tram. It was not unusual to see more than 1 Trailer in the consist either.
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There were also some Falcon Engines which when delivered had Skirts, these were lost at some stage
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It was not unusual for a Goods Wagon Trailer to be added either. Altogether there were 2 Vans and 10 'Wagons' so conventional Freight Traffic was presumably not unknown, though I guess mostly conveyed as in the picture below. The Steam Trams were said to be capable of 40 MPH no doubt a scary trip on the upper deck with a Mad Driver at the Controls!
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Thus I think ends our little trip to the Emerald Isle, what a fascinating set of Steam Trams they had, if only someone could get Time Travel working!