Downpatrick diesel gala proves a sell-out
AFTER an absence of three years, Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR), in conjunction with the Irish Traction Group (ITG), held a sold-out Diesel Gala at Downpatrick on January 7, featuring former NIR DEMU No. 458 and former CIÉ and IÉ locos Nos. 146, A39R and G617. As well as passenger runs, some carefully managed lineside sessions were run, ranging from photo stops to run pasts, in an area fenced off from the track, with the day starting off with rides behind resident 141 Class No. 146 and the recently acquired Ballast Plough Van from Iarnród Éireann within the station limits. Gala attendees were then taken lineside to the North curve to photograph No. 146 hauling its ballast train and No. A39R with the carriage rake. The day finished with No. G617 hauling most of the afternoon trains between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey due to No. 146 failing, with No. 458 operating the last train. DCDR chairman Robert Gardiner said: “This was our first such event since 2019, and what started out as a ‘mini gala’, to do something different this new year, snowballed very quickly into a massive event. This was the first time we had done lineside run pasts for photography, and this especially seems to have gone down a treat. “We could easily have sold double the number of tickets and I was absolutely amazed at the distances people had travelled – from Birmingham to Cork, Dublin to London, specifically for the event. “Everyone’s support and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated. We’re looking forward to our next one hopefully debuting the 80 Class.” The railway is now closed for a period of maintenance and hopes to open for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in Downpatrick, providing a shuttle service between Inch Abbey and Downpatrick on March 17.