Mike Beckett

20 minutes ago, Niles said:

If you look on certain Facebook groups, there are a few who seem to love posting about the ITG/Moyasta's alleged failings without offering anything positive to help.

"It's too far to volunteer at Carrick/Downpatrick" - but will drive to Moyasta to take pictures they can post up and moan about.

One actually blatantly admitted to wishing he'd stolen bits off an A class... some "enthusiast".

 

Pretty much this. Some people just hate us for trying. No, I can’t explain why.

Imagine the joy in some quarters if Moyasta does indeed collapse completely.

Staff, blimey, I wish we had staff.

22 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Ghastly news. Commiserations - hope things get sorted out as well as they can, as soon as.

 

Thanks JB. It’s hard to be positive at this time, just a feeling of being totally and utterly screwed, and no energy left to fight after all our other fights.

This event has sadly had to be cancelled. Every diesel loco and railcar we possess has been immersed in deep water, some worse than others. 

Everyone who has booked has been contacted by email. More information on the website and Facebook pages soon.

We’re devastated. Both mentally and physically.

We know his name… unfortunately!

The good old days before the internet could pile on to the ITG for daring to try.

11 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

That would never catch on.............

Actually looks fantastic!

Jebus JB, this thread is so old most of the original posters are dead now! You been on the harpic again!!

1 minute ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

Though I do wonder where 226 will go after the careful restoration is complete...

I don’t.

Looking forward to driving two Cs in multiple some day…

On 14/5/2023 at 5:46 PM, irishrailways52 said:

I could be wrong but I suspect the ITGs 226 will be used for Connemara. similar livery and all. 

You’re wrong.

On 8/5/2023 at 8:36 PM, jhb171achill said:

The first two, RPSI; other three ITG, of which 146 is operational at Downpatrick.

Someone mooning at it?

 

That’s a bicycle park, JB.

On 22/3/2023 at 4:11 PM, jhb171achill said:

the much-loved RB3 at Downpatrick.

You nana.

1 hour ago, Westcorkrailway said:

Fair enough, although I suppose that’s bad news for 6111 (I guess I’ll have to drive up the downpatrick every weekend personally for that one )

611111111 will also be tarped. So £2000 on tarps and straps. 

13 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

It was already at Downpatrick but nothing short of a total rebuild will sort that one out - PLUS a new engine.

This year we might get new tarps over the wreck. That is the limit of what we can afford for manpower and expense.

£900-£1000 to properly cover it. This might give insights into the challenges facing a small railway with eff all support. We have to focus on rolling stock or locos that will actually carry passengers sometime in the next X years.

It’s coming on well there. The point rodding has my interest pricked, as a signalling nerd (through necessity), is there going to be a run round /engine release turnout in the platform?

9 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

Is there enough damp in it yet to keep my goldfish in?

You would have to weld up the doors.

7 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

In all reality, for a location like that, and given the numbers and nature of the public throughout this island, the only thing suitable is something very small. If steam, you're looking at borrowing the Guinness engine. Maybe Derry docks No. 1 in Cultra?

 

And it's not even No. C202!

 

Hence the quotes!

M’learned friend, Lord Beaumont of The University of Railway Life, is of course right as usual (most of the time).

Speaking for DCDR and ITG, we won’t be offloading any locos any time soon. RB3 is another matter, anyone want it? Even for a greenhouse in the back garden…?

That scrappy C (‘202’) is not at Moyasta Junction. It’s also, literally, hollow, with nothing inside it other than graffiti, drinks cans and rubber johnnies. I wouldn’t get too excited about it…

JB I realise this is the time of goodwill to all men, but as someone heavily involved in one of the major societies, has been implicated with the modelling weirdos, and also rubs diesels for a hated traction group, what on earth are you wibbling about?

Be specific, because that is damn offensive to a lot of people who invest a lot of their time and money in things that nobody else can be arsed lifting a finger for.

Some more details about this running day, from ye website. 

Tickets on sale here: https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/diesel-january/
 

Trains will be running on Saturday 7th January, with the day starting at 11am and expected to run until around 4pm.

Tickets are £20.

For ticket booking, visit the DCDR website here.

Planned traction for the event is:

• A class A39R
• B class 146
• G class shunter G617
• 450 class Railcar 458

Trains will use the North Line from Downpatrick to Inch Abbey, as the South Line is currently under engineering possession. This will not detract from the fun, as the North Line is where the thrash is at!

The day should feature:

• At least one out and back run with each locomotive/railcar
• Some mix-ups and shunts to watch
• A loco start-up or two
• A demonstration ballast train with 146 and the ‘new’ Irish Rail ballast hoppers and plough van
• Hopefully we will offer brake van rides up and down the station platform (within our premises)
• Limited and strictly controlled lineside photo/video opportunities

Cab rides are not currently available for purchase, though we may offer some or raffle some on the day.

Looks quite convincing to me, and I should know….!

If you want any pointers on some details that could be tweaked, let me know.

Shameless plug time:

NEW YEAR DIESEL MINI GALA

We will be hosting a diesel running day on Saturday 7th January 2023 at Downpatrick and County Down Railway, to clag away the post-Christmas cobwebs. No mince pies or any other nonsense like that, just diesel fumes and excitement.

Available traction is likely to be 146, A39R, G617 and the funny railcar thing with sliding doors, 458.

More details will be announced as soon as we have them. We are working on some fun extras as well... let's hope it works out.

On 28/10/2022 at 3:34 AM, Mayner said:

A lot of the early 50s stock went to the Great Southern Railway Preservation Society at Mallow and Tralee and Westrail Tuam, a few may survive at Downpatrick.

 

Laminates 1918 and 2419 do indeed survive at Downpatrick. 

https://www.downrail.co.uk/rolling-stock/cie-1918/

https://www.downrail.co.uk/rolling-stock/cie-2419/

Not currently in passenger service. We would like 1918 to be refurbed soon as the brake compartment makes it a Very Useful Carriage.

Also there’s a C class, C231, from the same pre-DART memories.

The recording source for the DCC sound chips, the real A39R, burst into life on Saturday for the first time since before Covid:

https://fb.watch/gbKuwc5sX7/

Mega fun!

Pat and the gang need to get the finger out and make a G class.

No, not a Finger. A finger.