The end finally came for our ex-CIÉ BR Steam Heating Van No. 3189 on the morning of 14th May 2025. After a long service with CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann, 3189 saw out its retirement at Downpatrick from 2007, seeing service as a guard’s van, stores area and generator facility, finally retiring from service at the end of 2019’s Lapland Express season.
Assessment showed that the carriage’s condition was deteriorating to the point where it wasn’t viable for us to attempt restoration. After offering it to other railways – who came to the same conclusion as us – it was time to carry out component recovery and eventually call in the scrap merchant.
Thomas Hamill and Sons carried out the disposal in their usual efficient manner, as the carriage was cut in two, the steam heat boiler removed, and the two sections of body loaded onto their lorries for the final journey.
One last job that Tommy’s team helped with was the removal of the bogies and the bogie bearings, which are being retained for possible future use. Then we could wave goodbye to the convoy as it headed for Ahoghill.
You can’t save them all!
