Niles

152 arrived safely at Downpatrick over the weekend... https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/o-christmas-tree-o-christmas-tree

The DCDR website has been updated with a little bit of the history of this weekend's arrival, 152: https://www.downrail.co.uk/rollingstock/152/

2025 marks 40 years since ireland's first standard gauge heritage railway, the Downpatrick & County Down Railway, was founded. DCDR has come a long way since 1985, and is marking the journey in proper style at the hotel built by the very railway that inspired our heritage line, the BCDR. Bookings are now open for a very special evening at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle on Saturday 2nd August, for a sumptuous three-course meal, 40 years to the day since the Downpatrick and Ardglass Railway Company Limited was formally incorporated on 2nd August 1985. Our special guest for the night will be Tim McGarry, one of Northern Ireland’s best-loved comedians, and no stranger to heritage or history, who will be offering his own uniquely sharp and witty take on our society’s journey – and possibly a few home truths along the way. And when the speeches are done, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the sensational Linley Hamilton Quartet, the perfect soundtrack to a night of celebration. https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/dcdr40/ For those travelling up, Saturday August 2nd is a normal running day at Downpatrick, tickets for which can be purchased at the station.

I haven't seen much mention of this here (maybe I'm slow), but hats off to the Mid West Model Railway Club on their first exhibition in Limerick this weekend gone. There was a good vibe and lovely to see a great turnout for a first time event. Their Treaty Junction layout really evokes that Limerick junction feel. Looking forward to next year already!

More info here: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/itg-locos-on-the-move and https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/06/new-locos-arrive-at-downpatrick/

More deets here: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/itg-locos-on-the-move

A few places left on this, steam and diesel traction to feature https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/the-on-the-laois-tour

Yep, 015 is privately owned. Full ITG loco list here: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/locos

Yes Translink routes 15/215/515 are quite frequent on a Saturday, and the bus station is about 2 mins on foot from the DCDR station. Point of note, the Downpatrick buses now start from Adelaide St in Belfast rather than Grand Central (I'd allow 10 min to walk from either GC or Lanyon).

The first diesel loco running day since the floods of 2023, locos 146 and A39 will be in action between Downpatrick & Inch Abbey along with 'thumper' railcar set 458 on Saturday 24th August. Full details at tickets available at: https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/summer-diesel/ (The last diesel day sold out within weeks so I'd recommend booking sooner rather than later, unlike heritage lines in GB we don't have the luxury of being able to add more carriages unfortunately). If you're travelling from Dublin, there will be a Táilte Tours bus connection, bookable seperately at https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/bus-to-downpatrick-diesel-day-23rd-august-2025

If that's your first effort and I can't imagine how good your 'experienced' one is.

DCDR's preserved rake of 4 wheel ballast wagons successful undertook a trial operation over the weekend, while they have previously operated on runpasts at a gala this is their first time 'working' in preservation as an actual ballast train. Some inspiration for those of you with the lovely IRM models. https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/05/ballast-hoppers-test/ Full video here:

For those who haven't seen... https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/03/volunteers-complete-ballasting-of-new-siding/ https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/01/new-siding-at-railway-museum/

I had them on VHS back in the day (picked up my first in Marks, Vol.2 the West). Have been gradually rebuilding as a DVD collection. It's mad to look back at the Review series and see how the 'new' of the 2000s is now replaced itself in cases like the 8200s.

I would like to think 2600s will see quite a bit more of the country before all is said and done, subject to IÉ capacity. Our next mainline outing will be something different however, watch this space.