ITG Mini Gala at Downpatrick 7th January 2023

[GM078]

We will be hosting a diesel running day on Saturday 7th January 2023 at Downpatrick and County Down Railway, to clag away the post-Christmas cobwebs. No mince pies or any other nonsense like that, just diesel fumes and excitement.
Available traction is likely to be 146, A39R, G617 and the funny railcar thing with sliding doors, 458.
More details will be announced as soon as we have them.

For those interested, Downpatrick has a good bus service from Belfast (Translink 15/215); there is also their 240 service linking Downpatrick with Newry.
(Downpatrick bus station is across the carpark from the heritage railway station).

 

[GM078]

Details now confirmed and booking open: https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2022/minigala

 

[Ralph Ayres]

I do think us diesel enthusiasts will have to be increasingly careful about fumes if we are not to have restrictions on running older locos. Lots of clag once warmed up is mostly a sign of a poorly maintained engine, and a lack of fumes doesn't affect the sound they make.

 

[GM078]

For those travelling for Dublin, Táilte Tours will be chartering a bus from Connolly Luas Stop (dept 08:00am) on the day of the gala.
Tickets for the bus must be booked in advance at https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/bus-to-downpatrick-mini-diesel-gala-jan-2023

Note, tickets for the gala itself must be booked separately at https://downrail.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/19164?catID=17699&
(I'm advised this is about 80% booked so don't delay )

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Dec 2022 ==

Update: the bus will now pickup/set down at Dublin Airport (08:15) on request.

Bus to Downpatrick Mini Diesel Gala Jan 2023 | Táilte Tours

www.tailtetours.com

 

[GM078]

Gala tickets are now sold out (no booking office on the day).

Tickets for the transfer bus are still available.

 

[Thewanderer]

On Saturday 7th January the Downpatrick & County Down Railway held a diesel gala in conjunction with the Irish Traction Group. The gala featured locos 146, A3r, G617 and DEMU 458 all running a trip between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey throughout plus Ballast Plough Train rides and photographic run pasts. Thanks the Downpatrick and County Down Railway and the Irish Traction Group for facilitating a great start to 2023.

The photos can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3WYh3nm