Why no NIR class 80 preservation?

[MK Tom]

It strikes me as tragic that this entire class is being allowed to be destroyed - I realise rail preservation in Ireland is short of resources and money but an 80 class vehicle could be used as part of a hauled set! If there aren't the resources to care for it alongside everything else, lose one of the mark 2s. At the end of the day saving a member of this class seems vitally important to me to save a part of Northern Ireland's rail heritage. If no members of the 80 or 450 classes are saved there'll be nothing left of any of the classes of thumper that were the sole motive power in Northern Ireland for decades.

Any thoughts? Is there a plan to preserve anything, anywhere?

 

[I T S]

All I will say is - Portadown has 69 -90 -752 - 94 & *sandite unit 97* The future of them is undecided but as you may have seen in my photos on the site, Downpatrick have been stripping parts of the 80 Class units at Ballymena....Ya don't strip parts for nothing now do ya? Watch this space I say!

 

[MK Tom]

That would certainly be good! Is this your site? http://chrisplayfair.smugmug.com/Travel/February-2012/21283519_sgs7xw#!i=1712763831&k=2WLpZCs If so I follow it daily! I was wondering what DCDR would need with mark 2 doors but I remembered reading that there was no hope for the class 80s.

What about the two vehicles that got deported to the ELR?

 

[I T S]

Yes MK that's mine. Cheers for the following....

The ELR only preserved Power car 99 and that was done in 2005 or 2006. There has been various stories and reports about the future of 80s, but with the Portadown 80 class still here and Downpatrick taking spares, in a way it it builds a picture for itself

 

[102 fan]

A lovly picture too.....