Preserved Northern Ireland Railways 80 Class & 450 Class Thumpers 21/4/19

In this video we take a look at the Preserved 80 Class & 450 Class Thumpers at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway.

First we see 458 with DBSO 8918 & GM 146 departing Downpatrick with the buffet ECS movement to Inch Abbey.

Later in the afternoon we get a full tour of the 2 2 Car 80 Class Sets at Downpatrick 69 + 749 & 90 + 752 and as a added bonus 90's engine was running.

First we take a look at 90 + 752 which is currently stored awaiting restoration.

To start off we get some platform and track side shots of 90 ticking over and revving . It is very hard to beat the beautiful sounds & music of the 4SRKT engine in the thumpers.

Next we take a look in 90's Cab & Engine Room then we take a walk through the passenger interior of 90 & 752.
The interior of this set is not in the best condition after being out of passenger service for 7 years and seeing Sandite use for 6 years I was also one of the last passengers to travel on 90 in NIR service back in September 2011.
Note the hissing sound 90 is making this was being caused by a fault in her air compressor.

At the time of filming 90 wss the only 80 class vehicle left that retained the NIR Red Bull Livery and 752 was one of two vehicles left that retained the yellow Sandite livery the other vehicle being 97 which has now been scrapped.

Next we take a look at 69 & 749 which look fantastic in their retro NIR maroon & blue livery and the set is receiving a interior restoration which is now nearing completion.

749 At the time of filming was receiving a interior restoration.
During her interior restoration she has receiving it's1970s Burma Teak vinyl from when it was new , The floor linos have being replaced and the seat frames have shot blasted, repainted and the seat cushions have been freshen up. The final stages of overhaul work to other parts of the coach is currently taking place.

69 For now her interior retains it's 1990s design but her interior will receive the same treatment as 749 at some point in the future.

69 & 749 Will look fantastic when restoration is completed and the set should hopefully enter passenger service in 2020.

So after getting a fantastic and detailed look at both 2 car 80 class sets are attention now turns to 458 which is the only remaining 450 class set we hop onboard 141 Class GM 146 and we head to Inch Abbey to join her on the evening buffet ECS move to Downpatrick.

At present 458 is having to be hauled and propelled by GM 146 this will continue until driver training on 458 is completed then she will run once again under her own power.
The Ex NIR DBSO is used as a translator coach between 146 & 458 as 146 does not have a buckeye coupler.

And finally to end what was a fantastic day we were given a unique GM hauled ride on 458 back to Downpatrick.

Not many people can say they have travelled on a GM hauled thumper I feel honoured to be one of those few people who has done it.

I would like to say a BIG massive thank you to the volunteers of the Downpatrick & County Down Railway for their kind assistance in the making of this video and showing us the 2 80 Class sets , A tour of the loco shed and kindly giving us a cab ride on 146 and a run on 458.

It is also now 1 year since the 2 80 Class sets arrived at Downpatrick and entered preservation.

You can donate to the DCDR's 80 Class Appeal by clicking on the link below.
http://www.downrail.co.uk/donate/dcdr...

Being reunited with the trains of my childhood and the trains that started my life on the railway brought back so many beautiful memoires for me.

The 80 & 450 Class Will Live On
You can't beat a thumper