Niles

Very generous and much appreciated :). DCDR hope to have something up on the website shortly, I'll keep you posted.

The latest update on this project: https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/01/80-class-restoration-update-january-2026/

A further update on this project: https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/01/cie-carriage-restoration-preparation-continues/

Sonstrand is the layout's English mode, a heritage line. At lunch time today, 66190 arrived on a clearance trial prior to a potential special visiting the line. Certainly the biggest, and heaviest, loco to have visited. The railway's Chief Civil Engineer was quite nervous! Smooth as a glove though.

Another update on recent work on 90: https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/01/removing-the-ashpan/

Work is now underway on the preparatory stage of this carriage's overhaul. When completed, it will be an ideal companion piece to our Park Royal and the various CIÉ diesel locomotives in the DCDR/ITG fleet. Full story at: https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/01/new-year-new-project/ Great fun and very rewarding, you don't have to be a professional coach builder or fitter to get involved (I'm neither). Feel free to drop me a DM if you're interested.

The last Lapland Express of the day at Downpatrick yesterday evening. I believe driver @Mike Beckett is still thawing out his legs.

Last Saturday saw a trio of DCDR Munster-based members visit the railway for a day of volunteering (some of whom are on this site but I'll let them expose their secret identities if they wish ) Find out about what they got up to here: https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/11/munster-members-visit/

Only a handful of tickets remaining for this event. Not only do you get to meet Santa but if you're really luck you might to get meet @Mike Beckett and @GSWR 90. https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/santa/

Only a few weeks to go until this year's Lapland Express operations start at Downpatrick, this year using the 450 class 'thumper' set. As always, these are proving popular with some trains already sold out, so best to book sooner rather than later. https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/santa/

I remember having to remove the white stripe when I was involved with restoring the RPSI Cravens many years ago, it was... an ordeal.

Well one of them got onto to the Croom line... just.

Looking at this yesterday, it falls into what I term my 'absolutely no justification for, but want' category (didn't stop me ordering an 800 though).

Really enjoyed seeing this layout over the weekend, great subject for a layout.

Another year over, it felt like the best Blackrock show yet! Thank you to everyone who supported the Táilte Tours (at which my co-conspirator @jhb171achill seemed to be the main attraction) and DCDR stands over the weekend (I was literally swapping jackets over between shifts!), enjoyed putting a few more faces to names from this forum and I even treated myself to another GNR cement van from @leslie10646. As DCDR people, @GSWR 90 and particularly enjoyed watching the little G on Beagnach End. https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/10/south-dublin-model-railway-2025/

Freshly outshopped from Provincial Wagons, this cement van arrived on the Tragreany goods this evening. The Civil Engineer won't be happy to find out a Woolwich has encroached on the branch though...

Busy first day, haven't had a chance to view everything. I'm floating between the Táilte Tours stand with @jhb171achill and the DCDR stand with @GSWR 90, so do say hi (good to meet a few members of this parish yesterday).

A further update on progress with the restoration of 80 class power car 69. https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/10/80-class-railcar-horn-repairs/

Fascinating thread, I never knew of the steel works locos but the family resemblance is definitely there. I've always felt they were the most obscure of the CIÉ fleet, with comparitively little written about them in their own right even compared to the Sulzer twins, at most getting a passing mention in articles on wider topics. Great research @Mol_PMB.

Very insightful! I'll see if I can get a closer shot of the second plate next time for you

Also may be of interest, a close-up of the tank's build plate.

In an alternate timeline, A39 gets ready to depart with the Downpatrick-Platin cement empties.

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.