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Northern Ireland Long Weekend Part 3 - Day 3
Sunday 22nd May 2016


      

Meeting at Belfast Central, the 09.00 'Enterprise' service with Loco 228 and a recently refurbished rake of stock took participants to Dundalk, unusually for the 'Enterprise' stopping at Lisburn, where four of the ex-Gatwick Express coaches with the generator coach were seen. Portadown P2 (the middle one) and like P1 reversible, was reached via the facing crossover just north of the station followed by the south trailing crossover on departure, a move enjoyed by all. This was to bypass the last train of the previous night (Saturday) stabled in P1; it departs to Belfast over the north trailing crossover at 09.45.



The disused Dundalk Central signal cabin.
[Angus McDougall]

The line to Poyntzpass is very undulating and scenic. Newry, a very simplistic modern station, is approached over the very impressive Craigmore viaduct. At Dundalk the interesting platform railway museum was opened up specially for our group. The disused Dundalk Central signal cabin (above) could also be seen with all its fittings, although in one corner was a stage for the signaller to see a road crossing gate capstan but there is no road in sight! (It was moved here when it closed on 23 May 1996.) The other four ex-Gatwick Express coaches were here and, as at Lisburn, have acquired graffiti. All are owned by the RPSI now but, due to space constraints, are still stored where they were retired from service some years ago. Return from Dundalk was on the 10.56 'Enterprise' to Belfast Central. The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) - GNR(I), introduced the service on 11 Aug 1947 as the 'Enterprise Express' in an attempt to compete with air and road transport, particularly for business travel. Customs checks (no longer carried out of course) were limited to the Belfast and Dublin terminals to reduce journey times and making the trains non-stop; advance booking was available. Apparently the name comes from 'the enterprising approach' that the GNR(I) took to make journeys more convenient for passengers. In Oct 1950 the service was extended past Dublin to Cork, but this was unsuccessful and ceased in Sep 1953 (the 6½ hour journey time may have been a factor!).

Back to 2016 at Belfast Central it was off by minibus to the 7¼" gauge Carnfunock Miniature Railway (MR p26) by the coast near Larne where a 6w Petrol Hydraulic took us round the 490yd figure of eight with five sit astride bogie coaches covering all the track.



Carnfunock Miniature Railway - approaching the 'tunnel'; the point for the reverse loop circuit is just in front - trains automatically alternate in direction round this loop following the way the points have been set by the previous trip).
The final railway of the weekend was the 3ft gauge Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway (MR p26), parking at the inland Bushmills terminus the wooden platform is rather forlorn. As it was the 'low season' the relatively new Severn Lamb built replica tram set had been shortened from three trailers and a power car to two trailers and was not busy.

The two-mile trip is very cautious at times especially passing the now disused passing loop. There are great sea views (right); Giant's Causeway has a very respectable station building and engine shed which the group was allowed to look round. Stored were two steam locos and the operational diesel.

All rolling stock was transferred here on closure of Shanes Castle Railway at the end of the 1994 season. Of note was steam locomotive No3 Shane, previously owned and operated by Bord Na Mona as LM 45.

[Press release photo]

A very enjoyable few days with great company, food (when there was time!) and an odd drink or two. The thank you list is extensive, including the railways visited even in some extreme weather. NIR for help and support; reserving seats, waiving the iLink Card initial cost and for the goodie bags! Also to member Jonathan Condell for his support and local knowledge, Darren Garnon for stepping in at the last minute to drive, Lee Nash another driver and Kev Adlam (who drove and did very many other things as usual); without him this and many other BLS fixtures would simply not take place.