New Year Diesel Day at Downpatrick

[Mike Beckett]

Shameless plug time:

NEW YEAR DIESEL MINI GALA

We will be hosting a diesel running day on Saturday 7th January 2023 at Downpatrick and County Down Railway, to clag away the post-Christmas cobwebs. No mince pies or any other nonsense like that, just diesel fumes and excitement.

Available traction is likely to be 146, A39R, G617 and the funny railcar thing with sliding doors, 458.

More details will be announced as soon as we have them. We are working on some fun extras as well... let's hope it works out.

[Mike Beckett]

Some more details about this running day, from ye website. 

Tickets on sale here: https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/diesel-january/
 

Trains will be running on Saturday 7th January, with the day starting at 11am and expected to run until around 4pm.

Tickets are £20.

For ticket booking, visit the DCDR website here.

Planned traction for the event is:

• A class A39R
• B class 146
• G class shunter G617
• 450 class Railcar 458

Trains will use the North Line from Downpatrick to Inch Abbey, as the South Line is currently under engineering possession. This will not detract from the fun, as the North Line is where the thrash is at!

The day should feature:

• At least one out and back run with each locomotive/railcar
• Some mix-ups and shunts to watch
• A loco start-up or two
• A demonstration ballast train with 146 and the ‘new’ Irish Rail ballast hoppers and plough van
• Hopefully we will offer brake van rides up and down the station platform (within our premises)
• Limited and strictly controlled lineside photo/video opportunities

Cab rides are not currently available for purchase, though we may offer some or raffle some on the day.

[Lev Pavliuk]

hi, guys. does anyone know if it is possible to go down this road? Or is it all fenced off?

[Westcorkrailway]

25 minutes ago, Lev Pavliuk said:

hi, guys. does anyone know if it is possible to go down this road? Or is it all fenced off?

Fairly sure that’s all private property but Mike above advertises lineside photography opertunities, so I’d leave it up to them 

[Niles]

Well, that WAS fun.

[jhb171achill]

On 6/1/2023 at 12:01 AM, Westcorkrailway said:

Fairly sure that’s all private property but Mike above advertises lineside photography opertunities, so I’d leave it up to them 

Yes, from the sharp bend in the public road at the top of the picture, it is a private farmer's laneway. For all I know, DCDR could have arranged permission with the landowner, but I don't know - I was regrettably not able to attend the event on the day. As a general rule, though, treat it as private land.

[Branchline121]

It was cool to see the surprise steam loco, even if it did no haulage!

[Galteemore]

Looks like a fabulous day out. Hats off to the DCDR and its volunteers.

[thewanderer]

On Saturday 7th January the Downpatrick & County Down Railway held a diesel gala in conjunction with the Irish Traction Group. The gala featured locos 146, A3r, G617 and DEMU 458 all running a trip between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey throughout plus Ballast Plough Train rides and photographic run pasts. Thanks the Downpatrick and County Down Railway and the Irish Traction Group for facilitating a great start to 2023.

 

The photos can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3WYh3nm

 

 

 

 

[MidlandDeltic2]

My gallery from this great event can be found here : 

https://midlanddeltic.smugmug.com/Trip-Sets-Ireland-Rail/2023/Downpatrick-County-Down-Railway-Diesel-Gala-Rail-07-01-2023

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by MidlandDeltic2
Amend link & add photos