NORTHERN IRELAND RAILWAYS (NIR)
■ CROSS BORDER: Passenger numbers on the cross border route between Belfast and Dublin exceeded train capacity on many occasions during the period under review, to the extent that some services required compulsory advance booking. While there was a significant demand for travel in each direction, Dublin-bound specials, which also served selected intermediate stations, featured regularly and were mostly run to cater for concertgoers and sports fans.
Units of the NIR 3000 Class cross border pool Nos. 3001-6 were diagrammed for many of the duties. This DMU type and Irish Rail four-car 29000 Class units were also used if a De Dietrich/Mk.3 loco-worked train was unavailable or was failed en route. On June 24 units Nos. 29x12+29x20 worked the 13.20 Connolly-Lanyon Place forward from Drogheda after the loco-worked train was failed. These units also worked the 18.05 ex-Lanyon Place. On June 26, units Nos. 29x13 +29x18 worked a 10.10 Portadown to Connolly special after running empty from Dundalk to Portadown. Previously, on June 17, it had been announced that both seating and standing options would be available on the special to “facilitate demand”.
On the 26th there were also specials at 08.50 and 10.05 from Lanyon Place to Connolly, with return specials at 18.40, 18.55 and 19.17. On July 8 Nos. 3001+3004 worked a Lanyon Place-Connolly special, then ran empty to Drogheda to layover, returning later to work a 23.57 Connolly to Lanyon Place special.
On July 9 there were specials from Lanyon Place to Connolly at 12.07 and 13.05, with return trains at 20.49 and 23.57. The 12.07 and 20.49 were run to accommodate Londonderry spectators travelling to and from a Gaelic football game at Croke Park. However, they had to use timetabled trains from Londonderry to access the special at Lanyon Place, as NIR was unable to start it from Londonderry. Demand by fans for travel to Dublin by rail was so great that local politicians intervened and requested that extra trains be provided. As Translink was also running buses from Londonderry to the game it added another one at short notice. With uncertainty around how they were to get home from Lanyon Place late that evening it is believed that Londonderry fans made alternative arrangements after no assurances had been made regarding a connecting extra train being provided.
A poorly patronized three-car
3000 series DMU was, however, noted passing Whiteabbey at 23.36 that evening bound for Londonderry. It returned empty to Belfast early the next day. No. 3001 worked the 12.35 Lanyon Place-Connolly and 15.20 return on July 14 as the booked loco-worked train was unavailable. The 18.05 exLanyon Place and 20.50 return on the 16th were also worked by a 3000 series unit. On July 18 the 13.20 ex-Connolly worked by No. 206 and DD/Mk.3 train (DBFO No. 9001) was failed at Dundalk. Passengers were transferred to the 15.20 ex-Connolly. No. 206 and train later ran empty to York Road.
■ TRAFFIC AND TRACTION: While late evening extras were provided for home-going Belsonic concertgoers (see last issue) timetabled services were used for travel to the venue. However, on Saturday, June 25, an extra train was provided from Coleraine (dep 15.50) to Lanyon Place because heavy passenger usage was anticipated on Londonderry line services. Also, on this day there were delays during the afternoon after a fallen tree blocked the line near Ballymena. The final series of late evening DMU worked trains for concertgoers from Lanyon Place to Bangor, Coleraine, Portadown and Larne Harbour operated between 23.30 and 23.47 on Sunday, June 26.
MPV No. 11 was on weed control duties, treating the Lisburn to Antrim branch, on June 27. Also, on this date, six-car 4000 Class unit No. 4016 was on mileage accumulation runs between Belfast, Newry and Carrickfergus.
Hot sunny weather on July 18 saw heavy demand for travel to coastal resorts, with the Portadown-Bangor and Belfast-Londonderry/Portrush lines very busy. Heavy passenger numbers saw ticket sales to Helens Bay on the Bangor line suspended during the afternoon. Temporary speed restrictions were imposed systemwide as track temperatures rose during the day.
■ NEWS IN BRIEF: Electrification of the network is an objective of Translink. Although this is planned for the long term, the company has already started to recruit personnel. A principal manager and a project team manager are to be appointed.
■ PRESERVATION: Revenue earning operations restarted at the Downpatrick and County Down
Railway on July 16, after a break of over two years because of Covid-19. Ex-NIR DEMU, Motor Coach No. 8458, was initially used to work trips on the railway.