80 Class Farewell tour "The last Thump"

[electra27000]

At least while Christmas. There will definitely be one available to step in on a Sunday in September should the 80 be unavailable.

Looks like I'll have to start negotiations with Mrs Electra for a trip to NI before Xmas, then

 

[I T S]

4SRKT - You couldn't have been any more on the button! They don't understand at all.

 

[89-763-733]

451 is unlikely to return to service [last ran 24.01.2011], it requires a new camshaft which I believe would have to be made specially and translink will not pay for that given the time the 450s have left

456 off with damage from Monday's fire, unknown how serious this is

458 stopped with engine problem on Monday, unknown how long it will be off for

As of yesterday the other six sets were in service

Including the Portrush branch a maximum of 8 DEMU are rostered. At present two of these are frequently CAF. Once 5 or 6 4000 CAF are available this will mark the end of DEMUs

I would not expect to see any in traffic by the end of the year

 

[I T S]

456 returned to service today working the 1629 Central/Larne Harbour. In fine form to as I travelled on it!

458 is still off

452 failed today with the 1447 Carrickfergus/GVS. This set failed at Central and lay there until 1810 at such time, 454 hauled it to York Road. The problem with 452 was, it wouldn't take power from either cab.

 

[K9-70]

8069, 8090 & 8094 seen dumped again at the motorway sidings today.
Maybe NIR should cut their losses and totally withdraw them from service.

 

[4SRKT]

Although I wouldn't expect to see the 80 class out on a Saturday even if it wasn't knackered.

 

[I T S]

It has been reported that Power car 90 has been repaired and will be allocated for Monday morning's 0625 to Whitehead.

 

[89-763-733]

452 had a serious failure on Saturday and may not return to service. Meanwhile 90+94 indeed worked the 0625 today but failed at Carrickfergus on the 0730 Whitehead-Belfast and the set was taken out of service

--- update at 1615 ---
The 80 class has been resuscitated and is working the 1612 Larne. How far it gets remains to be seen

 

[I T S]

452 had a serious failure on Saturday and may not return to service. Meanwhile 90+94 indeed worked the 0625 today but failed at Carrickfergus on the 0730 Whitehead-Belfast and the set was taken out of service

--- update at 1615 ---
The 80 class has been resuscitated and is working the 1612 Larne. How far it gets remains to be seen

NIR maintain these units to best health at all times. I would be surprised if it failed at all on the 1612

 

[89-763-733]

"NIR maintain these units to best health at all times. I would be surprised if it failed at all on the 1612 "

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have maintained nothing properly since MC and the rest of the old hands retired

 

[I T S]

Disregard

 

[K9-70]

8094 & 8090 working the 10:57 service from Larne Harbour to Central and the 12:12 service from Central to Carrickfergus.

 

[89-763-733]

Latest statement from mrsi

"[if] the 80 Class is not available on the day, No substitute railtour will be offered. In these highly unlikely circumstances NIR will provide a Rail Day Freedom Pass valid for Sunday 25 September for distribution by the MRSI to passengers who have already booked and received their tickets by post. "

They don't know the 80 very well, 90 fails at least every other day

 

[4SRKT]

Latest statement from mrsi

"[if] the 80 Class is not available on the day, No substitute railtour will be offered. In these highly unlikely circumstances NIR will provide a Rail Day Freedom Pass valid for Sunday 25 September for distribution by the MRSI to passengers who have already booked and received their tickets by post. "

They don't know the 80 very well, 90 fails at least every other day

Great. A day farting around on CAFs waiting for the 22:20 Central > Larne Harbour. I'd rather stay in bed in good ol' Blighty than go to NI for that. Are these people completely delusional?

 

[I T S]

No. To be honest, these people are half enthusiasts/ half day trippers.... No real knowledge of cranks and bashing.

 

[4SRKT]

No. To be honest, these people are half enthusiasts/ half day trippers.... No real knowledge of cranks and bashing.

But also no real knowledge of how anyone makes an arrangement. Nobody is going to book in advance for a tour where there is a good chance it won't happen and with no subsititute. Thinking they will is just plain daft.

 

[I T S]

Wonder what will happen this tour if the line closes at Lurgan? At present, Lisburn/Portadown rail services are being bussed due to a security alert. Hmmmmm

 

[Tractionman]

The MRSI is doing what it can it seems to make sure the tour's a success - which I hope it is!

A while back I posted on what to do in NI if the tour is cancelled and sure, for some folk it seems a Sunday in NI without 80s to ride on represents total despair... but things have changed a bit since the '90s here, and even a Sunday offers some amusement these days, so folks (from GB) if you do get here and find that the 80s do give up the ghost my suggestion would be to have a look at what has changed in Belfast in recent years - check out the revamped Ulster Museum (free and open from 10am on Sundays) with its decent cafe, then head (on a CAF...) to Holywood for lunch and real ale at the Dirty Duck Alehouse (overlooking Belfast Lough), and after that from there walk along the coastal path and up to the Transport Museum at Cultra, which has a great collection of Irish locos and stock, before then trundling back down to Sydenham for the flight home from Belfast City - well, that's what I would do, but it's horses for courses...

Good luck all,

cheers,

Keith

PS - I'd be on the tour myself but had already booked a weekend to go to the SVR gala...

 

[Drimnagh Road]

I assume there'll be a travelling fitter in case it does go belly up?

 

[I T S]

http://chrisplayfair.smugmug.com/Ra...hPFHrjk/1496942663_mHN9vWt#1496932343_sf9GZ6g

Photos uploaded!

 

[89-763-733]

Turns out this was not the last 80 class passenger train. It worked 0625 Belfast Central-Whitehead and 0730 Whitehead-Belfast Central the next morning before being replaced by a 450

 

[102 fan]

Are you sure?

 

[89-763-733]

The Conductor on the 0625 told ITS that it worked those trains

Update 1617: Have now heard that it worked these trains from a separate source

 

[102 fan]

I dont feel so bad not going on it now!

 

[GM078]

That's interesting. I take it that it must still be "on the books" and not technically withdrawn? Of course it wouldn't be the first time an Irish class worked passenger trains beyond it's "farewell" tour, there was a time when it seemed like the 121s just wouldn't die.

 

[GazzaB24]

And a time when an Irish Class (141's) didn't turn up for their last run!

Still no complaints with 078 that day.