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

124 and 134 were withdrawn around March 2008, the first ICR sets went into service the previous December so there would have been a very narrow window when both were in service (and of course the ICRs would have been roaming about on trial for a the bones of the year before). But a window nonetheless. The 121s' last duties tended to be on PW (in fact I think their very last train was PW flats to Portlaoise). They were brought back to Inchicore immediately after and sat on the same siding as 123 before it was scrapped around April that year, meaning there was a very, very narrow window when the last three 121s were in close proximity. Someone will remember better than I but I have it in my head that the Mayo line was next to get the ICRs after Sligo?

A39R was out in action last weekend for the DCDR 40th celebrations, hauling its first passenger trains since the floods of 2023. https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/a39r-works-its-first-passenger-trains-since-floods

Ian had an amazing knowledge and seemed to be known throughout the IÉ system. I travelled on his tour as a passenger back in 2006, one of the best I've ever been on. I got to know him in more recent years, he offered his assistance towards our fledgling Táilte operations, knowing the niceties of railtours perhaps better than anyone, he would ensure that our 2600 set was on the platform well in advance so we weren't stressed with loading etc and tried to give us 'surprise' movements, such as routing our recent Eyre Lee Bird tour through the new platform 6 in Cork, wanting it to be the first railtour to pass through it. He'd give me calls while cycling home from the bus, often late at night, telling stories from his travels across the system. For a relatively young man, he had got to plenty of interesting places now vanished from the IÉ map such as New Ross, Kingscourt and Foynes via the weedspray train. He had also extensively travelled the Bus Éireann system. Sleep well Ian, you will be sorely missed, and thank you for all your help.

In fairness, surely the tariff would still be charged regardless of courier? It's hardly the doing of Accurascale...

great spot! I suspect your theory on scraping them together was the case.

In fairness, I don't think many will miss the modern-ish building, @jhb171achill can confirm I believe the original was demolished in the 1960s? There are still some lovely parts of it though.

8402 I believe

Full story here: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/moyexit-the-final-chapter

A wee update on the latest loco to arrive at Downpatrick https://www.downrail.co.uk/rollingstock/a3r/

Everyone deserves a special treat on their birthday. The Downpatrick & County Down Railway is celebrating its 40th on Saturday 2nd August, and to celebrate, we'll be using our restored Edwardian carriage set on services that day. This is a rare opportunity to travel on these beautifully restored carriages, two of which are original Belfast & County Down Railway vehicles. Trains will depart Downpatrick on this date at 13:00, 13:45 and 14:30, hauled by one our vintage diesel fleet. Book your tickets online now at https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/summer-trains/ (If you're attending our 40th Anniversary dinner later that evening, simply show us your dinner ticket and you can travel for free).