Bogie bonus at Cavan
The Cavan and Leitrim Railway has secured a €9,900 grant from Ireland’s Heritage Council to restore an original Tralee & Dingle Railway bogie.
The bogie was originally fitted to T&D carriage 48c, built by the Bristol Wagon and Carriage Works as a third-class vehicle and later rebuilt by CIE as a railcar trailer to match the Walker Railcars on the West Clare section.
When this line closed the carriage was purchased by peat contractor Bord na Mona and the bogie was eventually recovered from the vehicle on a bog.
C&L project coordinator Darragh Connolly said that the grant recognised the importance of heritage rail-related projects. “We are delighted to receive this support from the Heritage Council,” he added.
Several other bogies are already being restored for the C&L at Old Hall Farm in Cumbria while the line is continuing fundraising to pay for body repairs to Tralee & Dingle third-class carriage 7T. more details are at www.cavanandleitrimrailway.com/ vintage-train
Meanwhile at the C&L’s Dromod base the ongoing relay of the running line towards Clooncolry has reached two-thirds distance and Barclay 0-6-0T ‘Nancy’ was recently steamed to trial the relaid section of track.
C&L members hope to acquire additional rail and points from Bord na Mona, enabling run-round loops to be installed at Clooncolry and Dromod. This is subject to monies being raised.
The railway is currently closed due to Covid restrictions and a Covid fund has been set up, donations can be made can at www. cavanandleitrimrailway.com/covid