2600 class livery variants and more

[Niles]

As part of the build up to our "Suir Lee Knot" tour, we've updated our blog with an article on the story of the 2600 class so far, complete with pictures of all the livery variants they've carried in service to date. 

https://www.tailtetours.com/post/the-2600-class-the-railcars-that-keep-on-going

[DJ Dangerous]

A friend just sent this video to me.

Relatively low quality but fine for mobile viewing.

Enjoy!

 

 

[Westcorkrailway]

A few basic liveries 

- Arrow as delivered with points (may have worked a dozen times in service) 

- arrow with plug and socket logo

- Commuter

- executive commuter 

- modern IE (old destination scrolls)

- modern IE  

- Modern IE without gangways 

-2601/02 Retro Livery 

 

[DJ Dangerous]

Were the IR and IE logos vinyl or painted?

[Westcorkrailway]

I don’t know for sure but I would presume vinyl. A friend of mine has an “arrow” vinyl at home. So it would make sense for the logos too I guess

[DJ Dangerous]

1 hour ago, Westcorkrailway said:

I don’t know for sure but I would presume vinyl. A friend of mine has an “arrow” vinyl at home. So it would make sense for the logos too I guess

Definitely makes sense, but you know, we ARE talking about pre-Celtic-Tiger IE…

[minister_for_hardship]

Is "Commuter" the navy/white/snot green livery?

[Railer]

Yes and the Executive Commuter which I have never heard called that before, is the same but with the cab face wrap around chevron. I think only 3 or 4 units got that variation. 2611 and 2613/14 being 3 that I know of.

[Niles]

There were three sets with the chevron, 2605+2616, 2610+2613 and 2614+2617.

2607+2608 was the first to get the full yellow end, based on the timeline of my own photos at least. 

It was quite striking at the time.

[Mol_PMB]

Are the unit formations fairly consistent or do they get swapped round regularly? There must have been some swaps at some stage in their life. 
I’m wondering whether there were any mixed-livery sets? 
Are there many still with the gangways? I did see one other set with them last weekend. 

[Westcorkrailway]

30 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

Are the unit formations fairly consistent or do they get swapped round regularly? There must have been some swaps at some stage in their life. 
I’m wondering whether there were any mixed-livery sets? 
Are there many still with the gangways? I did see one other set with them last weekend. 

Basically there was a spare unit which was swaped into sets for a bad one if needed. That’s why you have so many odd numbers. At one stage the CME told me that one 2600 set was made up of two bathroom cars! that’s why 2609 (which happened to be the one switched out at the time) became part of the hybrid or “mongrel” set with the 27

 

most 2600s still have there gangways, though initially there was fears that all of them would loose them. 3 have surcumbed to this fate! 
 

like it would matter anyway since the 2600s have there had CCTV screens fitted. Connecting the Gangways to make up a 4 or 6 car walk through train is impossible 

[Niles]

It must be 25 years or so at least since the last reformation took place... certainly 2617+2614 and 2610+2613 have been 'married' since fairly early on in the careers in 1994 (they worked an IRRS special as such in June of that year).

I think 2605+2616 and 2615+2606 were later swaps, either late 90s or early 2000s?

A few 2700s got mixed around too, at least one such change occurred after 2716 infamously tried to jump off the end of the carriage sidings in Connolly.

2800s have remained 'properly matched' but I think in the very, very early days there might have been some sets 'mixed up' during delivery.

Not directly related but Tokyu nonetheless, there are two 8620 DART sets running 'mixed' at the moment, 8621+8521+8526+8626 and 8625+8525+8522+8622, I believe related to a signalling equipment trial but someone will be able to clarify the specifics. There were two misformed 29000 sets for a while for the same reason but these have since been 'corrected'.

Edited Sunday at 16:18 by Niles

[Mol_PMB]

14 minutes ago, Niles said:

It must be 25 years or so at least since the last reformation took place... certainly 2617+2614 and 2610+2613 have been 'married' since fairly early on in the careers in 1994 (they worked an IRRS special as such in June of that year).

I think 2605+2616 and 2615+2606 were later swaps, either late 90s or early 2000s?

A few 2700s got mixed around too, at least one such change occurred after 2716 infamously tried to jump off the end of the carriage sidings in Connolly.

2800s have remained 'properly matched' but I think in the very, very early days there might have been some sets 'mixed up' during delivery.

Not directly related but Tokyu nonetheless, there are two 8620 DART sets running 'mixed' at the moment, 8621+8521+8526+8626 and 8625+8525+8522+8622, I believe related to a signalling equipment trial but someone will be able to clarify the specifics. There were two misformed 29000 sets for a while for the same reason but these have since been 'corrected'.

Ah, wonderful, thanks for the detailed info.

So, where to next with the Tailte 2600s - Foynes?

 

[Westcorkrailway]

2 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

Ah, wonderful, thanks for the detailed info.

So, where to next with the Tailte 2600s - Foynes?

 

Yes please

[Niles]

2 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

Ah, wonderful, thanks for the detailed info.

So, where to next with the Tailte 2600s - Foynes?

 

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.