NIR Hedgecutter HC1

HC1 was built in 1971 by Plasser and Theurer as a tamper, though it was later converted by NIR into a hedgecutter to combat lineside vegetation. In its tamping days, HC1 was numbered AL323 and was involved in the laying of the ‘third line’ from Lisburn to Knockmore in 1974, and the reconstruction of the […]

Courtaulds C32

In 1951, the UTA built a fleet of four-plank open wagons for textile giant Courtaulds, who opened their Carrickfergus factory the same year. The factory was rail-connected, meeting the Larne line at Mount Halt. It had a small internal railway system managed by two steam locomotives, named “Patricia” (Peckett 2088 of 1948) and “Wilfred” (Peckett […]

Courtaulds C378

In 1951, the UTA built a fleet of four-plank open wagons for textile giant Courtaulds, who opened their Carrickfergus factory the same year. The factory was rail-connected, meeting the Larne line at Mount Halt. It had a small internal railway system managed by two steam locomotives, named “Patricia” (Peckett 2088 of 1948) and “Wilfred” (Peckett […]

NIR Walrus C496

C496 was built in 1952, to a design introduced by the London & South Western Railway as early as 1903! It is a ballast hopper, designed to drop stones onto the track as required. Built by Metro-Cammell as part of a batch of 50 and originally numbered 62028, it was used by British Rail until […]

An Post TPO 2978

Travelling Post Offices (TPOs) were first used by the railways in the 1830s, and greatly enhanced the efficiency of postal communication from the outset. Instead of horse-drawn mail carriages travelling along unsurfaced roads, rail travel reduced journeys that would otherwise take days into a matter of a few hours. TPOs provided accommodation for postal workers […]