NORTHERN IRELAND RAILWAYS (NIR)

■ TRAFFIC AND TRACTION: The rolling introduction to traffic of the seven sixcar 4000 Class units Nos. 4014 – 4020 has reached the final stages, with only units 4016 and 4020 yet to enter revenue earning service. All have been fitted with USB charging points. In late September NIR launched a publicity campaign for the six-car units which it describes as “new walk-through trains.” The standard of the interior refresh carried out at York Road to the original cars is indeed so high that, to the casual observer, they have the same ambience as the new intermediates.

■ CROSS BORDER: GM No. 8112 returned to NIR on August 28, running light engine from Dublin Connolly to York Road. The locomotive had been an exhibit at the ‘Inchicore 175’ event on May 7 (see July issue). DMU No. 3005 worked the 08.00 Belfast Lanyon Place-Dublin Connolly and 11.20 return on August 30 after the booked loco-worked train was failed because of a “mechanical issue”. GM No. 228 was failed before departure of the 12.35 Lanyon Place-Connolly the next day. Unit No. 3003 worked the service and 15.20 return with the latter full and standing. On September 4, IR GM No. 231 hauled Mk.3 generator van No. 9604 from Inchicore to Connolly, where both were recessed until the 6th, when they continued to York Road. No. 9604, which was in ex-works condition, was to receive further attention at the

NIR works. Garth Brooks concerts were held at Croke Park Dublin in September (see Irish Rail, opposite page) and it was reported that three extras were operated from Lanyon Place to Connolly and return for concertgoers on each concert day, two being 2x3-car 3000 Series DMUs and the other a De Dietrich/Mk.3 loco-powered train. Lisburn is served by only one cross border service each week but, on September 11,

NIR stated that all ‘Enterprise’ trains would serve Lisburn during the period of mourning for the Queen. This was to facilitate those who wished to pay their respects to the late monarch at the castle in Royal Hillsborough. A shuttle bus service was in operation between Lisburn station, the Eikon park and ride facility and Royal Hillsborough. Normal services had resumed by the 15th.

■ PRESERVATION: The Downpatrick and County Down Railway (D&CDR) has stated that its facilities are now almost at capacity and the number of vehicles in its care needs to be reduced. Former NIR Railbus No. RB3, which is in poor condition, is to be made available to other preservation bodies. Built at Derby in 1981 by

BREL as a demonstrator prototype for British Rail (No. RDB 977020), it was acquired by NIR for use on the Portrush branch. The unit proved to be unpopular due to its low passenger capacity and poor reliability. After being relegated to less busy services it ended its NIR career on civil engineers’ inspection duties. Stopped in December 1992, it subsequently became an exhibit at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra until 2001, when it was transferred to its present home at Downpatrick.

No. RB3 may have had a short career on NIR but it will be remembered while on the company’s books for its use on legendary railtours to Kingscourt (the ‘Cavan Coup’) and Londonderry.

Also being made available by the D&CDR is ex NIR/BR Walrus ballast hopper wagon No. C496. However, former CIE TPO No. 2978 is to be scrapped as its condition has deteriorated to the extent that restoration could not be justified. The railway has another TPO in its care,

No. 2977, which is on display in the Carriage Gallery.