GSWR 90

Commotion about some little green injin Commotion about some little green injin

A classic – No. 90 (then known as "C") in as-built condition, with attached first-class compartment and guard's/freight van. Some time between the 1870s-1900s approx.

I am always quite tickled when I see a photo/video of a preserved loco/railcar/carriage/etc. when it was in service. Please feel free to post any photos like this below. To get the ball rolling, here are some DCDR locos before preservation CSE Thurles No. 1 in the 1950s. 146 and 190 near Kildare, March 2008. Photo by Dylan Kinsella. GSWR 90 (then Castleisland Railway "C") in as-built condition, probably when it was built in 1875. B124 being unloaded in Dublin, the first GM loco to arrive in Ireland. Photo by Jim O'Dea, 1961.

A few years ago someone showed me some GNR carriage records which showed the numbers of the GNR third class six-wheelers which were sold to the BCDR (like the one at Downpatrick). However the register also showed two of these U3s being converted into “aeroplane trucks”. Anyone have any idea about these? Just an underframe like a carriage truck, but for carrying aeroplanes, perhaps as part of the war effort? How do you fit an aeroplane on a carriage truck? I’d be fascinated to see any photos

The Broad Gauge Society (the 7’ broad gauge, not our one!) recently posted this on their excellent Facebook page, accompanied by the photo attached: “Taken at Cheltenham shed in the late 1840s. On the left, 'Star' class 2-2-2 Polar Star has not yet had its frames and boiler lengthened by 2'0", which happened in 1849. Second is 'Pyracmon' class 0-6-0 Alligator. On the right is 'Sun' class 2-2-2 Javelin. The photo was possibly taken by GWR employee Hugh Owen, a close friend of photography pioneer Henry Fox Talbot, and is among the earliest railway photographs ever taken.” So the earliest British railway photos were likely from the 1840s. Does anyone know of any contenders for the oldest Irish railway photos?

This graphic produced by IRM last year might be helpful for anyone deciding how many to buy The discount for buying in multiples is pretty generous – only about £320 if you buy five of them, which seems to me like a very good deal for a good rake of niche top-of-the-range models

Apologies for the brief interruption. We now resume normal programming. The engine shed was damaged during the flood, so we weren't allowed to access it or the locos inside. Work on repairing it is progressing fast, and last week we were able to remove 90 from the shed and moved to the workshop at the other side of the yard. Yesterday we had about a dozen volunteers working on the loco at one time, so we were able to do a huge amount of work in just one day: Cab front removed Cladding and lagging removed Boiler fittings removed We're now in contact with boiler contractors and are working on a fundraiser for 90's overhaul. Our volunteers come from across the island – from Dublin, Belfast, Kildare, Meath, and even Derry~Londonderry. If you want to learn new skills, meet new people, and play your part in preserving our shared industrial heritage, please send me a message to ask about getting involved.

That was quick, thank you! Email sent.

DCDR has several thousand unprinted Edmondson railway tickets. Does anyone know where we could get these printed with our own text on them? Thanks!

You’ll now need to invest in a set of ballast hoppers and a plough van. Plus two 141s, two As, a 181, a Park Royal…

All great snaps. There are some fantastic pictures in Mark Kennedy’s book “The LMS in Ireland” of the Moguls being lifted – tender and loco at the same time – by floating crane over to Queen’s Island for overhaul by H&W

Thanks to a generous preservationist, Downpatrick and County Down Railway has been presented with the opportunity to preserve the last surviving CIÉ cement ‘bubble’ wagon, but we need your help. As you can imagine, transporting a rail vehicle, even a small one, is not cheap, with £1700-1800 being the ballpark figure we need to raise for transport alone. Some of our volunteers have already pledged donations, but we need YOUR help to get us over the line and make this happen. These wagons are particularly popular with enthusiasts, in no small part thanks to the high-quality OO gauge models of them produced by IRM. Apart from the major cost of moving the vehicle, we will also need to spend money prepping this wagon for display – when the time comes, heavy-duty cleaning supplies, paint, and decals will likely not be cheap. This opportunity won’t present itself again, and any donation, small or large, will be very much appreciated. If successful, we would envisage that the wagon will go on display at Downpatrick, and, hopefully, will take part in demonstration freight trains for special events (our ballast hoppers have already proved quite popular at our diesel days). This is the ONLY chance to ensure the preservation of this historically important, iconic wagon – if we miss it, it’s gone forever. Please support our appeal and help us ensure that this bubble doesn’t end up burst. You can donate online at the following link, and make a note in the comments/notes section stating that you would like it to go towards the cement wagon: https://www.downrail.co.uk/donate/ Many thanks for your support. A bubble at Gorey, from the DCDR collection Our very own 039 with a rake of bubbles, courtesy of Sean Devaney

For those who missed 124 at the diesel gala, it will be running with the vintage carriages for European Heritage Open Weekend on the 13th and 14th of September https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/ehodni/

Under wraps in Moyasta in May First test run to Inch in July

Source or it didn’t happen