NI Thumpers

Some sort of DEMU Indian Summer going on it seems, before the inevitable happens.

 

The weekend's plan is the following:

455, currently out, will remain in service and work 2329 CL/LR tonight. It will then remain in LR until 0727 on Monday

458, currently stabled in Larne, will remain there until 0810 on Monday

Sunday 0820 ex LR and 2220 ex CL expected to be CAF

0810 on Monday expected to be last 450 service train.
:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

As always with translink no gaurantee this will happen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVjNRobFAZg

 

http://chrisplayfair.smugmug.com/Travel/February-2012/21283519_sgs7xw#!i=1698712071&k=ZThNcbd

Could this be the last full day of DEMU operations? See above of todays operations....

 

Michael Portillo's Irish series is currently on iplayer. From the Enthusiast point of view there are not enough trains and it is very poorly edited.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...Series_3_Goes_to_Ireland_Belfast_to_Whitehead

He did have the sense to do 455 to Whitehead for 452 back though

 

I agree there. Very little of the Railway Journey itself in that serious and the editing could have been better

 

As passed on from ITS:

455 0727 Larne Harbour-Great Victoria Street

458 0810 Larne Harbour-Belfast Central.

Last DEMU service train?

Update 1250: Depot Inspector told ITS they plan to have CAFs on 1648 and 1725 tonight. Let's hope they break something between now and then

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

They have broke 4006 and 458 is working at least 1412 Central-Carrick and 1500 return

 

Was it you? Did you sneak into York Road and snap off a windscreen wiper?

 

Shush, that's tomorrow

TPWS failed so 4006 had to be taken off. 458 will be on until 1825 Whitehead-Central

 

http://chrisplayfair.smugmug.com/Tr...xw/1701574686_9JDfxG3#!i=1701570562&k=Vbjtnw3

Photos from today's DEMU operations and other loco hauled operations including 112 & 113 on per way work, 208 on the Enterprise and the delivery of the unwelcome Class 4000 Unit 4012.

 

458 and 455 both out in service this morning

 

This is very good news. No sooner do NIR have enough CAFs and the necessary trackwork alterations to enable them to end DEMU operation, than they start using them on all sorts of all-day diagrams that they haven't been on for weeks. It really is most mysterious.

 

456 worked 1600 ex Carrick until 1950 LN/CL
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

456 did not work the 1600 roster but the 1725 There was confusion caused by trains being out of order and delayed due to a SPAD

this means three consecutive trains on the Larne line were 450 today:

1706: 458

1718: 455

1725: 456

and 8 and 6 will be in Larne overnight

 

http://chrisplayfair.smugmug.com/Tr...Fb/1711587228_QvM5bsM#!i=1711586965&k=7QZ5qdP

Photos from today's shunt at Ballymena with withdrawn 80 class
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
http://chrisplayfair.smugmug.com/Tr...zX/1712762334_9kNm9Pz#!i=1712746662&k=w4rJtbG

And now today, photos from the scrapping of the 80 class at Ballymena

 

today 455 worked

ED YR CS
1600 CS CL 1627
1642 CL LN 1738
1743 LN CL 1840
1850 CL LN 1945
1950 LN CL 2042

It is hoped a 450 will work this roster tomorrow and Friday but there is NO GUARANTEE that it will do so

The vehicles being scrapped today and tomorrow are 733 738 747 754 82 and 93

89 will remain dumped at Ballymena. It was concerned in a fatal accident in August 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3550766.stm and there is apparently a legal requirement that it has to be retained for 10 years after this
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Today, 16.02, 458 is working this diagram

 

With a mass invasion due around 1320 tomorrow for the tour on saturday, hopefully there will a couple out in the peak.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Sad to see. but a good set of photos.

 

Was the cause ever discovered?

 

458 working the 0842 to Larne at present.

If this stays out today it'll be

1112 Carrick x CL
1242 Larne x CL
1512 Larne x CL
1743 Larne x CL

 

Reporting live from 458 on 1845 Larne Town-Central THE LAST DEMU SERVICE TRAIN

 

Top day today. Looking forward tomorrow for the farewell tour.

Hopefully the restn of the week goes as well.

 

455 has now gone to the depot having completed the tour It was an excellent day out and a fitting farewell to DEMUs Many thanks to Translink and the MRSI for making it possible

An ambulance was required for a tour passenger at Bangor and I wish the person concerned a speedy recovery

 

seconded.

 

An inquest was held in June 2006 but an extensive search has failed to turn up the verdict

On to happier matters:

Downpatrick launched an appeal for 80 class preservation on yesterday's tour. The best case scenario is their acquiring a FOUR car set. The vehicles they would like to acquire are 90 94 752 749 (749 is still at YR)

However the issue has been complicated by the fact that translink might want to use the 80 class sandite for one more season (September to December 2012). Three options are being considered: Apart from the 80 a 450 may be converted to act as a sandite unit or they might convert the never used Gatwick driving trailer 8918. No decision has been taken

I was told that the cars currently at Portadown will be moved back to Belfast soon and this would be a top and tail operation using 450s as the 80s have been drained of fuel and water (Top and tail GM possible but unlikely as 2 of the three are currently based in Londonderry for ballast trains; top and tail 450 and GM plausable as it has been done before) No date known for the proposed move

 

Might that be a good thing, if it gives DCDR more time raise funds?
Interesting that they're considering using 8918, at least it would get some use...

 

455 in Dundalk on Saturday:
http://smu.gs/zTXOwF

 

Pleased to be proved wrong 455 did two runs to Whitehead it worked 0900 ex WD then was taken off at the last minute with 4008 working the 0942

 

http://chrisplayfair.smugmug.com/Ra...Class/21544738_qmMSBV#!i=1717688390&k=jGzNGjw

Photos from the day starting at Dundalk until the end at Central with 455 on the Railtour

 

Great news. How can I help? PM me.

 

In order that the form prints in the correct size microsoft printer wizard should be used. A pdf alternative will be made available in due course

Please post completed form to

BRIAN GOODFELLOW
OPERATIONS MANAGER
DOWNPATRICK RAILWAY
MARKET STREET
DOWNPATRICK
NORTHERN IRELAND
BT30 6LZ

 

pdf pledge form attached here. This has been tested and will print correctly without the printer wizard or other intervention

 

More good news. 455 is back out:

1600 Carrickfergus-Central
1642 Larne Town
1743 Central
1850 Larne Town
1950 Central