Anyone travelling on our summer trains on Saturday 1st August will have seen strange things afoot on the South Line. Our locos team were carrying out shunting and testing with some of our 80 class vehicles.
We took the opportunity to turn careworn 80 class power car 90 on the newly restored triangle. This was so we could take driving trailer 749 for test runs to make sure everything works, rather than waiting for its own Power Car, 69, to emerge and get nasty surprises. 90 may look a little unloved, but mechanically is sound and some recent repairs have dealt with the known issues.
A power car moving solo is always a strange sight. We carried out the reverse moves slowly and carefully under the control of a shunter with two-way radio due to lack of visibility. We also checked platform clearances on the Loop Platform. Recent track adjustments have proved that the clearance is perfect. 90 drove back to Downpatrick. Here, preserved 121 class loco 124 hauled restored driving trailer 749 out of the yard.. Then, we coupled up the two 80 class vehicles. We connected all the electrical jumpers and air pipes, and gave the duo a proper test.
The good news is there were no major faults. After the drivers had a few runs on the South Line (we can assure you it was entirely for test purposes; it wasn’t at all fun!), we finished the day with a full line run on the North Line, with volunteers on board the driving trailer to enjoy the experience.
