Niles

For those who like such things, 3003+3001 worked the 16:05 Belfast GC-Connolly today

The DCDR website has been updated with the news of the bubble's arrival, including some photos showing a rather interesting shunting formation, should any of you be looking for 'prototype for everything' inspo. https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/10/dcdr-welcomes-cement-bubble-wagon/

Cement Bubble 25199 safely touched down on DCDR rails this morning, and has already been reunited with 124. A big thank you to everyone who donated to make it happen. Full report will follow on the DCDR website in due course.

Set 37 still in Belfast GC as if 11:35 this morning anyway.

22038 appears to be on the 08:50 Connolly-(Dundalk)Belfast.

Quite a bit has taken place in the past few weeks, with 80 class 69 now in the final stages of its restoration: https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/10/80-class-restoration-update-reupholstered-seats-installed/

Shunting at Tragreany or a future runpast at Downpatrick?

A possibility for a future DCDR gala (we have a H-Van too, it even has a name). Thanks to everyone who donated, the below will now be possible in 1:1 scale.

The good news is we have already raised enough to transport the bubble to Downpatrick, thank you to everyone who has donated so far (including a substantial sum pledged from the good folk at IRM/Accurascale, once again demonstrating their commitment to supporting the preservation movement). That being said, if anyone would still like to contribute it won't go to waste as we'll still need to spend a bit of money in readying the vehicle for display (let's be honest, there isn't a vehicle in preservation that doesn't need money ). https://www.downrail.co.uk/donate/

Excellent resource, well done.

In believe 209 is under overhaul alright.

231 was at Inchicore during the week, not sure if it went back over, swaps are common enough but it's been a solid fixture on the Enterprises over the summer, I believe it may be coming up for a mileage based overhaul.

The official gala video is now also available to view: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/downpatrick-diesel-gala-2025-highlights

Even more secret, the loco has had some adventures in the last few weeks that can now be revealed... https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/124-test-runs

The best kept secret in preservation is now out https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/first-preserved-121-class-working