[Thomas J Stamp]

Another point, but Derek is too diplomatic to point it out (!) is that a lot of what is presented as concern for railfrieght is actually fear of trainspotters becoming extinct due to the withdrawal of specific types of locomotives and freight wagons. If you dont belive me, look at IRN, you'll see it for yourselves.

You will also notice the rightous indignation expressed at the residents of North Wall and Sligo hotel owners who are a bit miffed with ancient trains running all night outside their doors all night because they are so clapped out that if they are switched off they may never get restarted. Rather helpfully it is pointed out that steam trains were just as noisy. So thats all right then.

As for the 201's MrX, believe me when I state that in the eyes of IRN they are the spawn of Satan himself and if they were pulling every freight train in the country our mates would from what I've seen of them lose all interest in freight.

That said, IE's freight policy is hard to fathom. One the one hand you hear grandiouse plans for a major container yard near the M50/Park West area then you dont then you find that CIE sells land which is vital for freight in the port areas.

As Derek said above we dont do freight as we dont have the expertise due in no small way to the history posted above.