Drumboe to finally return to Donegal

COUNTY Donegal Railways (CDR) 2-6-4T No. 5 Drumboe will return to County Donegal this autumn after the completion of its cosmetic overhaul by the RPSI’s engineering arm, Heritage Engineering Ireland, at Whitehead. The 1907-built Nasmyth Wilson loco, which headed the last passenger train on the CDR in 1959, will move to its new home at the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre on October 9. It will be the culmination of a €100,000 project, which was partly funded by a €65,000 grant from Donegal Local Development CLG. By early September preparations for No. 5’s arrival were at an advanced stage at the museum, which occupies the former CDR Donegal Town station. A dedicated bay platform has been built where a section of 3ft gauge track has been laid. Steelwork for a platform canopy had also been erected, which will provide protection for the 2-6-4T. The ultimate intention is to return No. 5 to steam.