The Irish Traction Group has announced a re-scheduled date for the previous gala. The official statement is below. Fingers crossed the weather holds out this time.
The Irish Traction Group proudly presents
THE ITG DIESEL GALA - Weather Permitting!
Sunday 18th November 2012
The Irish Traction Group (ITG), with the kind co-operation of the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway, has organised a diesel gala on Sunday 18th November 2012 at the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway, Downpatrick, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
Due to flooding last week, it was not possible to run the advertised locomotives last Saturday for the ITG Diesel Gala. We are very disappointed that this should have happened, but the situation was obviously beyond of our control. Various folk, including some with children, did not see the web warnings, and unknowingly turned up at Downpatrick. In conjunction with DCDR, we made an effort to give them some travel, although this was but a small fraction of what they had come expecting. We felt it was right to make some effort to provide some service.
We will be marking the 50th anniversary of the construction of the Group’s preserved 141 (B) class locomotive No. 146, and its recent return to service after extensive cab restoration. No. 146 is now the only 141 class locomotive which can be enjoyed working passenger trains. It is also 50 years since the Deutz G611 class locomotives entered service, and the ITG's own Deutz locomotives Nos. G611 and G617 are intended to feature. 001 (A) class locomotive No. A39 will also hopefully be making an appearance, at a mere 56 years young! All locomotives are subject to availability on the day.
Services will commence at around 12:00, and will operate until around 16:00. Services will operate from Downpatrick to Inch Abbey and also to Magnus’ Grave.
Day Rover tickets will be available on the day at Downpatrick for £7 or €10. Passengers will be expected to make their own way to Downpatrick if taking this option.
In addition, the ITG is running a special connecting coach service from Dublin Red Cow Luas Stop (dep. 08:45), Dublin Heuston St. John's Road (dep. 09:00), Dublin Connolly Luas Stop (dep. 09:15) and Dublin Airport Coach Park (dep. 09:45) to Downpatrick to connect with the event. The connecting coach service will depart Downpatrick at approximately 16:30, setting down at Dublin Airport Coach Park (arr. 18:45 approx.), Dublin Connolly Luas Stop (arr. 19:15 approx.), Dublin Heuston (arr. 19:30 approx.) and Dublin Red Cow Luas Stop (arr. 19:45 approx.).
The cost of the return coach connection from Dublin (i.e. the Downpatrick day rover ticket is additional) will be £11 or €15, payable on the day. If you are interested in using the connecting coach, you must advise the ITG in advance by telephone or by e-mail, as places are clearly limited. If you don't book, you could find yourself turning up for a bus which has no place for you!
For further information please contact:
Aidan Kehoe (Ireland)
E-mail:
aidkehoe@iol.ie
Telephone: 059 9152011 (18:30 to 21:00 Monday to Friday)
Peter Jones (Great Britain)
E-mail:
peterjones.irishtractiongroup@virgin.net
Telephone: 07713 159869 (18:00 to 21:00 Monday to Friday).
The Irish Traction Group is registered as a Charity in England & Wales.
Charity Reference No. 1000382.
