80 Class Farewell tour "The last Thump"

[I T S]

"The Last Thump Railtour"

The MRSI are pleased to announce a last public run with the 80 Class set. This will be on Sunday 25th September. The route will be Belfast Central - Dundalk -Coleraine - Belfast Central - Larne Harbour - Belfast Central - Bangor - Belfast Central. The train will connect at Dundalk with the morning Dublin - Belfast train and in the evening at Belfast Central with the Belfast- Dublin train. We have received confirmation today from NIR that the train will be available for us on the day, and that this will be the last public working of the set. Details and Booking Forms will be available on line from this weekend at
www.modernrsi.webs.com


Taken for irishrailwaynews.com

 

[4SRKT]

I thought the 80 class was OOU?

 

[I T S]

I thought the 80 class was OOU?

Correct 4SRKT. It hasn't been out since 18th July. Where they are getting a piece that WORKS is beyond me!!

 

[4SRKT]

What will happen on the day if they haven't got two working power cars? A 450 class instead? I don't suppose NIR will let it out with only one working PC!

 

[Drimnagh Road]

How about having it as a switched off hauled set with a 111?

 

[I T S]

Regards to the event of a 450 working the tour, to my knowledge 450 class DEMU's are not permitted past Newry. I know a few made it to Dublin back in the day, but this is 2011. Not 1991!

DR - You cannot have a dead seat as there is not power for the CDL or lights. All power in the 80 class comes from the 80 Class itself and not from the Loco if being hauled.

I believe 90 & 94 are to make a test run in the next few days

 

[4SRKT]

Regards to the event of a 450 working the tour, to my knowledge 450 class DEMU's are not permitted past Newry. I know a few made it to Dublin back in the day, but this is 2011. Not 1991!

DR - You cannot have a dead seat as there is not power for the CDL or lights. All power in the 80 class comes from the 80 Class itself and not from the Loco if being hauled.

I believe 90 & 94 are to make a test run in the next few days

I've heard about this test run: a most encouraging development! Surely the tour could just go to Newry instead of Dundalk in the event of a 450 class substitution. I'm sure most people would rather do that than have the thing caped. Dublin connections would just be made at Newry instead.

 

[Thewanderer]

Looks like a good tour.

 

[4SRKT]

It does look like a good tour. I can't do it though as I'm off to Limerick a fortnight before and will never get two passes out to go to Ireland in such quick succession

 

[89-763-733]

I advise not booking this tour or traveling to Northern Ireland for it. The MRSI have now stated if the 80 is unavailable the tour WILL NOT RUN with alternative traction and be cancelled even if the set fails shortly before the tour Also the planned test run of 90+94 did not take place and as of now there is NO serviceable 80 class set

Anyone who does want to risk wasting a lot of money can find a booking form here:

http://modernrsi.webs.com//RailtourForm-Class80Finale-Sept2011v2.pdf

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Must say I was rather surprised that NIR would go through the trouble of putting the 80 back into service specifically for a railtour, they aren't as railtour friendly as their Irish Rail counterparts down South.

I made a promise to myself never to book on an Northern Ireland railtour again after they cut short Ian Walsh Railtours day out in 2008 due to a dodgy genny van, despite it not been needed.

 

[4SRKT]

NIR are still chronically short of sets for the time being, so if they put the 80 back into service it won't be for the tour, but just to maintain the public timetable.

I'm down to just one day in NI next week, so if the 80 and the Derry 450 (as was the case today) are working I'm going to be a very busy basher!

 

[I T S]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14454011

455 (I think) on fire tonight at Jordanstown

 

[89-763-733]

454 failed at Coleraine yesterday afternoon resulting in some bus substitution on the Portrush branch. It was able to run empty to York Road Depot at around 2200. It has been replaced by 453 (empty from Belfast to Coleraine)

 

[I T S]

80 Class tour was out today working the 1612 Belfast/Larne. The first service worked by an 80 since 18th July. Units today were 90 & 94

 

[GM078]

I advise not booking this tour or traveling to Northern Ireland for it. The MRSI have now stated if the 80 is unavailable the tour WILL NOT RUN with alternative traction and be cancelled even if the set fails shortly before the tour Also the planned test run of 90+94 did not take place and as of now there is NO serviceable 80 class set

Anyone who does want to risk wasting a lot of money can find a booking form here:

http://modernrsi.webs.com//RailtourForm-Class80Finale-Sept2011v2.pdf

I'm sure that if the tour is cancelled the MRSI will simply give a refund to anyone who has booked tickets for the tour.

 

[89-763-733]

Of course they will refund the fare but not any rail air or boat fares plus overnight accomodation paid for in connection with the tour. I am unavailable that day but would not spend money getting to that tour when there is every chance of a short notice cancelation.

The MRSI are utterly stupid in refusing to use alternate traction, a 450 going to places they no longer go would be a much better idea than no train and the 80 class is often failed at short notice for minor things like a broken wiper and is then off for about two days

80 class 90+94 returned to service today but how long it lasts is another matter entirely. It is still likely the power cars will be taken for sandite use at the end of tne month and I'd be surprised if translink would make the effort to reform the set again for one passenger train

 

[electra27000]

Much as I'd love to be able to claim the pair, for a ride, before they go, I can't justify the outlay (ferry fares, hotel accommodation, etc) on something that might not even run and won't be booking.

 

[GM078]

Ah I see what you mean, was thinking of it from an Irish perspective. Just as a suggestion for those travelling across the sea, maybe come up with a "plan B", possible things you could do in the event of the tour being cancelled. Do the 450s work any weekend links for example? Maybe people could meet up and grice them, for example. Just a suggestion, I can see why it would be frustrating from the POV of someone travelling across the water.

I made a promise to myself never to book on an Northern Ireland railtour again after they cut short Ian Walsh Railtours day out in 2008 due to a dodgy genny van, despite it not been needed.

I'm guessing that the train was legally required to have power available (for instance in the event of the train running late and into the dark hours). Only a guess though.

 

[I T S]

Ah I see what you mean, was thinking of it from an Irish perspective. Just as a suggestion for those travelling across the sea, maybe come up with a "plan B", possible things you could do in the event of the tour being cancelled. Do the 450s work any weekend links for example? Maybe people could meet up and grice them, for example. Just a suggestion, I can see why it would be frustrating from the POV of someone travelling across the water.

There are NO booked workings of 450s on Sunday bar the 0820xLarne & 2220xBelfast/Larne. Other than that its a long boring day on NIR.

If the MRSI can't see fit that its only common sense to have a standby then they're not worth dealing with. Only common sense and anyone can see that!

 

[GM078]

I see. It's a bit of a gamble alright (from both the customer's POV and that of the MRSI).

 

[I T S]

I see. It's a bit of a gamble alright (from both the customer's POV and that of the MRSI).

Look at this way -

59 QUID RETURN FOR FLYBE FLIGHTS
70 QUID FOR 2 NIGHTS IN BELFAST
NO 80 CLASS TOUR DUE TO TRAIN FAILURE
MRSI CANCEL TRAIN INSTEAD OF USING 450 THUMPER TRACTION
YOU GET £42 BACK FROM MRSI BUT YOU LOOSE FLIGHTS & HOTEL
WHATS THE POINT?

 

[4SRKT]

Unlike the RPSI, the MRSI seems not to understand that much of the financial support for their activities comes from GB. What would be wrong with using a 450 instead? Sure, it would be a minor disappointment, but with no plan B other than bashing Irish Sheds all day (not that interesting and not cheap because you wouldn't book in advance if there was a chance the tour would go ahead), it would be a pretty good alternative.

 

[I T S]

At present 90&94 is working the 1457 larne/Belfast. The service is running 30mins late due to 90 shutting down and gving problems several times since LR. Will 90 last until 5pm let alone the 25th sept?


UPDATE 16:27 -

90 & 94 removed from Passenger service after working the 1457xLarne due to mechanical problems.

 

[Tractionman]

Look at this way -

59 QUID RETURN FOR FLYBE FLIGHTS
70 QUID FOR 2 NIGHTS IN BELFAST
NO 80 CLASS TOUR DUE TO TRAIN FAILURE
MRSI CANCEL TRAIN INSTEAD OF USING 450 THUMPER TRACTION
YOU GET £42 BACK FROM MRSI BUT YOU LOOSE FLIGHTS & HOTEL
WHATS THE POINT?

This has happened to me before but the other way around, booking flights from NI to GB way in advance - as is needed - even booking time off work and domestic duties, only to then hear that a particular gala or event in GB has been cancelled - it's always a risk.

When it's happened to me I go anyway and just make a weekend of it - there's always something else to do, and here there're plenty of things to do in NI, with or without a railtour!

The MRSI are just being up-front about it.

cheers,

Keith

 

[4SRKT]

The MRSI are being stupid about it rather than up front as there is a perfectly good alternative in the shape of a 450 class available.

What is there to do in NI on a Sunday? I remember when I was a student there in 1990-3 Sundays were just like several days rolled into one. At least you could take a DEMU out to Bangor or something to pass the time before the pubs opened back then

 

[I T S]

This has happened to me before but the other way around, booking flights from NI to GB way in advance - as is needed - even booking time off work and domestic duties, only to then hear that a particular gala or event in GB has been cancelled - it's always a risk.

When it's happened to me I go anyway and just make a weekend of it - there's always something else to do, and here there're plenty of things to do in NI, with or without a railtour!

The MRSI are just being up-front about it.

cheers,

Keith

That's all very well in good as in the UK there is still something of interest on a Sunday should it be a charter on ECS or maybe the odd 66 here and there.However in NI, on a Saturday & Sunday (Sunday espicially) you would be bored to tears and would be ready for a mental institution on you're return to your abode.

Simple way of looking at this issue is - MRSI are stupid (as stated about) by not having alternative traction in the event of the 80 class fails which today proved with 90 failing and running 30 late on the xLarne. How does the MRSI expect to get bookings? They quoted in an email to me about the 450 substituting and it stated the following :

Been considered, a 450 couldn't keep timings and local people wouldn't be happy paying that fare for a 450.

A 450 & 80 class are timed exactly the same
It seems the MRSI are the local people and its what they want, rather than the enthusiast and the fare paying customers.

 

[GM078]

I see the MRSI have put up a post on IRN explaining their reasons. Link

Their spokesman has suggested that those who would find a 450 acceptable should make their views known. Who knows, they may take it into consideration if asked nicely by enough people.

 

[electra27000]

That's all very well in good as in the UK there is still something of interest on a Sunday should it be a charter on ECS or maybe the odd 66 here and there.However in NI, on a Saturday & Sunday (Sunday espicially) you would be bored to tears and would be ready for a mental institution on you're return to your abode.

Simple way of looking at this issue is - MRSI are stupid (as stated about) by not having alternative traction in the event of the 80 class fails which today proved with 90 failing and running 30 late on the xLarne. How does the MRSI expect to get bookings? They quoted in an email to me about the 450 substituting and it stated the following :

Been considered, a 450 couldn't keep timings and local people wouldn't be happy paying that fare for a 450.

A 450 & 80 class are timed exactly the same
It seems the MRSI are the local people and its what they want, rather than the enthusiast and the fare paying customers.

I'd love a last chance at sampling an 80 class, with the wife, but the above sounds like more reasons to skip the tour. I'd costed out the trip across and that alone came to £200 - we were looking at the ferry, as neither of us will fly. Add to that the cost of hotel accommodation & food/drink and you're looking at a sizeable chunk of money for a railtour that will, in all likelihood, not run.

Out of interest (and because me and 'er indoors still need 5 of them), how long are the 450s expected to continue?

 

[4SRKT]

Out of interest (and because me and 'er indoors still need 5 of them), how long are the 450s expected to continue?

At least while Christmas. There will definitely be one available to step in on a Sunday in September should the 80 be unavailable.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
If that post on IRN is meant to explain the MRSI's views on the 450 class, it only confirms my view that they seriously don't understand the GB enthusiast, who constitutes >50% of their support base.