Niles

Another update on 124: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/tests-continue-on-loco-124

This thread reminds me of a visit to the West Somerset Railway (the longest standard gauge heritage line in these islands) a few years ago. I was chatting to some of the volunteers, and mentioned I was involved in Downpatrick. I asked how many volunteers the West Somerset had, I got the somewhat mournful response 'We used to have over 1,000, now it's only about 600'. Yes, 'only' 600... From experience in Downpatrick, even a small line takes a lot of volunteers and certainly in our case there's plenty of examples of volunteers 'double jobbing' (more often 'treble'). Generally speaking all board members will also be found grafting on the ground in some shape or form, the concept of lines having volunteers who are solely managerial is way beyond a luxury. Thus is the reality of heritage railway operation in Ireland, I know our friends at the various narrow gauge lines can tell a similar story.

Interesting, I wasn't aware of this either.

I've read varying sources suggesting that 802 (a)received the experimental livery in the late 40s and later was repainted into the regular green, (b) that she was painted in the regular green, then experimental, then back to regular, and (c) that we she was painted regular green and then experimental for the rest of existence. Doesn't answer your question at all I know. The 800s can be confounding. As iconic and well known as they are, there's actually quite a bit about them that doesn't seem clear, with a healthy dose of typical Irish yarns woven into the canon. That theory on 801 running with 802's tender is interesting, hard to tell but that photo does give the appearance of being different shade. Mind you, I recall from my RPSI days there were occasions when 461's tender appeared to be a slightly different shade to the loco itself, the simple reason being when stabled in Connolly yard it was easier to clean one end than the other while lighting up.. maybe something similar is going on here, it's hard to tell...

A volunteer colleague undertook a study of this a few years ago, one taking was that those schemes that have been successful, and endured, in Ireland have been those that started small and developed out, e.g. Stradbally, Downpatrick, Dromod. Nice as they'd have been, schemes such as Shillelagh-Tinahely, Fenit-Tralee simply would have been too big to have been sustainable (I had a sight of a report which I believe @jhb171achill was involved in regarding the former, there were options for Shillelagh-Tinahely, Tinahely-Woodenbridge, the whole branch, or something to that affect. The figures were mouthwatering). I suppose Downpatrick, Dromod and Whitehead also have the benefit of being easily accessible by public transport, the former is right beside a bus station and the other two adjacent to mainline rail stations. I know for a fact all three of these have regular enthusiast volunteers not just from the locale but Dublin too. Local buy-in is another important factor, and it's worth bearing in mind that volunteers don't necessarily have to come from enthusiast ranks, I've known many 'non-enthusiast' people who just like getting involved in something local and have made excellent volunteers.

Might be of interest... https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/124-lives https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/190-roars-again

Video of the start up here: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/124-lives

Tricky is the word. There some green highlights but I can't tell if that's just the reflection of the vegetation...

Re: silver Park Royals, I was always under the impression none of them were, however, a while back I copped this Tom Davitt photo in the IRRS Flickr Archive (you'll need to be a member to view the link) The third vehicle from the loco appears to be a silver Park Royal. https://flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53511615324/in/photolist-2pwBnJp-2pwDBh6-2pwCeH4-2pwD1Vj If only the 10 'mainline' ones were done as such then it would explain the lack of colour photos, probability wise. Another 'myth' was that Park Royals never carried the earlier dark green; while researching this for the DCDR restoration a few years ago we discovered that several were, likely the early suburban ones (in fact they've appeared on at least three IRRS journal covers over the years, hidden in plain sight). Interesting to see that Fry 'invented' a 51st member of the class, 1430.

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