DMU for sale as Barry Tourist Railway looks towards an Easter 2023 return
BARRY Tourist Railway, which until recently operated a two-mile stretch of line on Barry Island, has announced that it intends to reopen and resume running services in time for Easter 2023.
Following developments of the South Wales Metro, the freehold of the five-road Barry locomotive shed, which dates from 1886, was sold to Transport for Wales for additional storage and maintenance facilities. Yet TfW was keen to retain the heritage railway’s presence and it was offered new premises in the exhibition shed and sidings at Plymouth Road.
However, the new site has a much reduced capacity and so the BTR (owned by Cambrian Transport) has undertaken a review of its rolling stock collection.
“While this is regretted, the railway will still retain an interesting selection of trains” said spokesman John Buxton. “The circumstances, however, do allow another heritage railway the opportunity to acquire our unique DMU Iris II – a very interesting two-car set.”
Described as being in excellent condition, the Class 101 DMU has been kept undercover in the Barry depot for the last 13 years. Iris II is formed of power cars Nos. 977963 and 977964 that were rebuilt by BR in 1989 at Cardiff Cathays workshops, being reconfigured for departmental use. This included the installation of generators, air conditioning and on-board workshop facilities. When bought directly from Network Rail in 2007, the BTR extensively refurbished and retro-fitted the two trailers for passenger-carrying once again.
The interior emulates features that BR would have installed had the vehicles operated for longer on the main line than they actually did. It retains the air conditioning and electric heating, and has been fitted with Mk.2 and Mk.3-style seating and carpets. Offers over £30,000 are invited, with details available from John at john. buxton@cambriantransport.com or 07595 023749.Spare parts are also available at an additional cost.
TfW is currently renewing track while BTR volunteers and staff relocate operations to Plymouth Road. The railway is also set to be granted running rights to the platforms at both Waterfront ‘goodshed’ and Gladstone Bridge.