124 hauls the first 121-hauled passenger train in preservation

[Niles]

The best kept secret in preservation is now out

 

https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/first-preserved-121-class-working

[Mol_PMB]

I confess that I felt the urge to spend a weekend pointing a needlegun at it. There’s something immensely satisfying about chipping off rust. 

[Mol_PMB]

Here’s 124, late in its life and unusually on a conventional passenger train (rather than the Limerick Shuttle) seen here at Farranfore on a Cork-Tralee turn. 
Our plans for that day were rapidly re-written when we saw this opportunity! Very nice to be hauled by 124 again yesterday. 

I see it still has the mismatched numerals, 20+ years on!

[Niles]

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

[skinner75]

Here's the Belfast Telegraph reporting on it:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rail-buffs-shocked-as-irelands-first-us-made-locomotive-makes-surprise-appearance-in-co-down/a1551687763.html

[Rob R]

3 hours ago, skinner75 said:

Here's the Belfast Telegraph reporting on it:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rail-buffs-shocked-as-irelands-first-us-made-locomotive-makes-surprise-appearance-in-co-down/a1551687763.html

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

CB&SCR Nos 19 and 20 anyone?

Anyway, well done to the ITG lads and hopefully I might get across the water someday to have a proper look.

 

[Niles]

The official gala video is now also available to view: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2025/downpatrick-diesel-gala-2025-highlights