A record number of volunteers?
On Saturday, we had no fewer than 27 volunteers working away across several different projects simultaneously. This is the most people – in a single place at the one time – we’ve had on a non-running day in decades. Many parts of the island were represented, with attendees from both sides of the border. Members […]
SG Elite assist with vegetation clearance
Over the past week we’ve had SG Elite on our line tackling long-overdue lineside overgrowth, and they’ve made a huge difference, completely knocking the socks off our volunteer team. For years, trees had been steadily encroaching and overhanging the line, branches were scraping carriages, and recent storms had brought down even more dead and diseased […]
First train through refurbished level crossing
Last Saturday 121 class loco 124 took our wandering wagons up to Inch Abbey for storage. This was so as to keep the Loop Line clear for vegeration clearance. On the way, we took a moment to admire our recently refurbished farm crossing near the station. This was the first time that a train had […]
Permanent Way volunteers go back to school
t was back to school for our Permanent Way volunteers this week. Several of the team attended the RailSTAR-IOSH Safe Working on the Railway course which was held in Ballymena. Focusing on essential safety practices in the railway environment, this course was attended by Permanent Way workers from all across Northern Ireland. Whether mainline or […]
80 class restoration update: January 2026
With the weather warming up (a little), Robert has taken the opportunity to recommence work on our 80 class power car 69. The lower temperatures over the Christmas break had precluded the use of paints and fillers. The recently repaired and isoponed areas have now received a coat of light green. Don’t worry, we’re not […]
CIÉ carriage 1918 restoration—preparation continues
Last Saturday saw our hardy volunteers continue preparing 1950s-vintage CIÉ ‘laminate’ carriage 1918 for its restoration. Having dealt with the old bar area the previous week, this time our novice gang turned their attention to removing panelling from the guard’s compartment. Counterintuitive though it may seem, dismantling is a key stage for any thorough carriage […]
All in an afternoon: AGMs, bananas and fast food
We held our Annual General Meeting in The Saint Patrick Centre on Saturday. This included all the usual business of reports, financial updates, directors being re-elected followed by a lively Q&A once the formal business was completed. It’s a great opportunity for volunteers and other members to consider the railway’s progress as a business. After […]
On Track Technicians upgrade User Worked Crossing
We’ve been quietly working away in the background with our “Big Proper Rail Industry” supporters. This is with a view to help with rail infrastructure work around our site. Last year we were very grateful to welcome Babcock Rail down to upgrade the centre of one of our farm crossings. We followed this work up […]
90 restoration update: removing the ashpan
Our volunteers continue to work on steam locomotive No. 90 in preparation for its boiler being removed. This week we’ve been trying to take apart its ashpan. However, years of rust and awkward nut diameters have made this a very difficult process. The ashpan sits beneath the fire. As the name suggests, it catches ash […]
Replacing turnout timbers
Work to replace timbers on the Gallery turnout on our South Line outside the station continued on Saturday, with the team clearing stone and installing ‘new’ timbers obtained from Belfast Great Victoria Street after closure. These massive timbers are 24-feet long. There’s no easy way to move them by hand. The Komatsu is out of […]