3ft gauge steam at the giants causeway railway

[Jamie Davis]

Hello all. I’ve been in Wales recently, on the Ffestiniog. I’ve been having a lovely time viewing their steam locomotives, which got me thinking about steam back home in Ireland. What has become of the two 3ft gauge steam locos at the giants causeway railway? I have never seen them in person, only in photos online. I Can’t seem to find much information about their current state, or why they’ve been left idle for so long? I might have heard that they were for sale, but nothing came about from the purchase. Can anyone inform me on their current situation, what they are doing now, and what is, if at all, planned for their future? Thanks all.

[airfixfan]

Locked up on a shed at the Causeway. The owner has tried to sell them but wants silly money. Both need an overhaul after heavy use undervthe current management

[Jamie Davis]

11 hours ago, airfixfan said:

Locked up on a shed at the Causeway. The owner has tried to sell them but wants silly money. Both need an overhaul after heavy use undervthe current management

Wil they be using them in the future? What price were they looking for for either of the engines? I just hope it doesn’t turn into a situation similar to 5T in Tralee.

[Galteemore]

They are unlikely to see any use. But neither is dereliction likely. This is a commercial operation and the proprietor has a vested interest in keeping the locos as intact as possible. 

[jhb171achill]

Latest info I have, and of only a couple of months ago, is that having failed to sell them, they would still open to an offer, but as mentioned elsewhere they want silly money. They won't get it unless they find a wealthy 3ft gauge in England; a species unknown to exist (don't say "what about Southwold"; it is responsibly run and even if they HAD silly money (which they don't) they would not yield to an "offer" like that).

Meantime, they intend to store them, oiled and protected, until or unless someone with a bigger wallet than brain happens along; they will thankfully not allow them to deteriorate.

Both would be relatively easy to put back into traffic, mshould they or another buyer want to do so.

[commerlad]

Crowle Peatland Railway (Doing OK, is 3 foot) already has a BordNaMona loco and to say its out of the way (It makes Giants Causeway look Suburban) is an understatement.

Unlike Southwold this group already has 5 running locos. (Simplex, 3x Schoma Master and Slave units, Wickham ) is in contact and loan arrangements with Statfold Barn, and IOM and has a Lisbon Tram to use as a coach.

One of the recent acquisitions is Bord Na Mona Hunslet Wagonmaster LM336

 

And is my day out this coming Sunday (Directions Via Google maps 59mins)

 

[jhb171achill]

1 hour ago, commerlad said:

Crowle Peatland Railway (Doing OK, is 3 foot) already has a BordNaMona loco and to say its out of the way (It makes Giants Causeway look Suburban) is an understatement.

Unlike Southwold this group already has 5 running locos. (Simplex, 3x Schoma Master and Slave units, Wickham ) is in contact and loan arrangements with Statfold Barn, and IOM and has a Lisbon Tram to use as a coach.

One of the recent acquisitions is Bord Na Mona Hunslet Wagonmaster LM336

 

And is my day out this coming Sunday (Directions Via Google maps 59mins)

 

I had never heard of this place! Fascinating - thanks for enlightening us!

[commerlad]

A bit more then.

 

Track has been extended since this video and more points (ex BnM) just arrived.

 

Edited July 11 by commerlad

[Wexford70]

8 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Latest info I have, and of only a couple of months ago, is that having failed to sell them, they would still open to an offer

Have you any indication what would be considered as an acceptable offer?

 

 

[Horsetan]

2 minutes ago, Wexford70 said:

Have you any indication what would be considered as an acceptable offer?

More than anyone is prepared to pay, it would seem. Come back in 10 years' time and see if they're still there.

[jhb171achill]

55 minutes ago, Wexford70 said:

Have you any indication what would be considered as an acceptable offer?

No idea.

Edited July 11 by jhb171achill

[airfixfan]

Mr Sweeney who owns the Causeway operation is best termed a wide boy. Prices quoted are ridiculous for the 2 locos gathering dust in a shed intact. He needs to spend money on the track in particular as it has received little or no care for about 20 years now

[Hawkerhellfire]

The cost I heard for the locos wouldn't be far off what one would expect to pay for Newbuilds of the same designs. 

 

The condition of both locos is unknown but most likely poor. Shane is on her original boiler, now 76 years old, it probably requires a heavy repair if not renewal. I don't know how old Tyrones boiler is but if it's the original it's now 120+ years old! I believe the standard of maintenance in Shane's Castle was good. It went to nothing when the Giants Causeway was taken over and so both locos are now out of service. 

It's a great shame as both locos are utterly ideal for the Narrow Gauge preserved railways here. Light and powerful industrials with a fair turn of speed 

 

[Mol_PMB]

Interesting, thanks for the info. Here's an old pic of mine on the one occasion I made it to Shane's Castle:

The only time I've been to Giant's Causeway was before the present railway existed (but long after the tramway closed). Is the present railway worth a visit?

[airfixfan]

No last time I travelled behind Shane on the GC it's young crew were flogging the engine recklessly as they knew next to nothing about steam engines 

[jhb171achill]

1 hour ago, Hawkerhellfire said:

The cost I heard for the locos wouldn't be far off what one would expect to pay for Newbuilds of the same designs. 

 

The condition of both locos is unknown but most likely poor. Shane is on her original boiler, now 76 years old, it probably requires a heavy repair if not renewal. I don't know how old Tyrones boiler is but if it's the original it's now 120+ years old! I believe the standard of maintenance in Shane's Castle was good. It went to nothing when the Giants Causeway was taken over and so both locos are now out of service. 

It's a great shame as both locos are utterly ideal for the Narrow Gauge preserved railways here. Light and powerful industrials with a fair turn of speed 

 

Indeed - they are perfect for such things. On the standard gauge, same concept - small engines are best. Downpatrick struck oil with the CSET shunters - they run all day for the same amount of coal that it would take just to light up a medium-sized RPSI looco. 

Must say I always liked Lord O'Neill's lioned green livery on the Shane's Castle Railway. Very elegant, and suited both locos well.

[Galteemore]

15 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

Indeed - they are perfect for such things. On the standard gauge, same concept - small engines are best. Downpatrick struck oil with the CSET shunters - they run all day for the same amount of coal that it would take just to light up a medium-sized RPSI looco. 

Must say I always liked Lord O'Neill's lioned green livery on the Shane's Castle Railway. Very elegant, and suited both locos well.

Shane’s Castle also recaptured very nicely the look of the Irish roadside tramway. Something I only appreciated fully on the last day of operations. IIRC Shane carries the chimney off a Burrell traction engine!