Leaving Central the left side of Donegall Quay Loop was used on Dargan Viaduct - the longest viaduct in Ireland. The other side of the loop is very rarely used by passenger trains (only the occasional ECS) as it slows the service too much because both trains have to stop. The viaduct closes for several months in early 2017 for partial doubling associated with an adjacent motorway 'improvement' project. Trains will be diverted via the currently OOU Lisburn to Crumlin and Antrim line. After the station stop at Yorkgate, York Road works was visible on the left, where there was a spare power car for the NIR Sandite train also the next 'Enterprise' set for Dublin with loco 228. Next was the 'other' Fort William depot on the right, for servicing the units (along with York Road Works and the new Adelaide depot). The next feature was Bleach Green viaduct, Ireland's only grade separated junction.

Progress was surprisingly fast on this line which has been relaid and upgraded in recent years and a remarkable number of trains to Belfast were passed. In Ballymena yard was the last remaining Castle Class DEMU 8455-8795-8785 on NIR metals (an operational unit is preserved at Downpatrick), also present was an 80 Class power car 8089, stored and awaiting scrapping. There was also a rake of hopper wagons and several bogie flat wagons used on engineering trains. The highlight for most was a stop in the Killagan loop while a Belfast bound service passed by. Coleraine P2 was used because the Portrush branch train was in P1. At Castlerock the soon to be closed (3 Nov 2016) P2 was taken and the interesting working somersault semaphore signals noted. Bellarena P2 was the penultimate stop; its new P1 is expected to be operational from 22 Nov after an 18-day Coleraine to Derry closure for resignalling and remodelling. An hourly all day service is planned to Derry (mostly two-hourly now).

After a very interesting, scenic (particularly along the coast after Bellarena) and enjoyable nearly 100-mile ride, Derry's rare P2 was used where the train stabled from 08.25 until 16.33. For some this was their first ride into the 'new' (24 Feb 1980) station - an unusual case of a new terminus station lengthening rather than shortening a line. The old station, now trackless, is on the left just before the new one. The trains are modern, clean, remarkably smooth, relatively fast and certainly busy.

Departure from Derry P1 was at 09.33 via the other platform at Castlerock, Coleraine P1, the through line at Killagan Loop and Cullybackey (where the last member for the day joined, having decided breakfast was more important!). At Antrim eyes were cast to the right in expectation of soon being able to traverse the line through Crumlin and Lisburn back to Belfast; stops included Whiteabbey (one of a few Derry line services to call; most are by Larne trains) and Belfast Central P3, to Great Victoria Street P1. The group was soon on the 12.02 ex-P4, all stations (via Belfast Central P4) to Bangor P3.

A walk to the sea front found 'The Pickie Puffer' (7¼" gauge; 400yd long). Our party split into two groups, as only three coaches were in use, to ride all available public track but could not traverse the run round loop at one end due to spring points; the other end of the track is a balloon loop. After both groups had ridden, the staff kindly moved a road van blocking the shed branch which was covered to the end. Lunch, of generous portions, was taken in the excellent restaurant on site, with a 10% (price!) discount. Bangor was left at 14.57 from P3 back to Great Victoria Street P1; this time at Belfast Central the second crossover inbound was used for P3, with departure via the first crossover onto the main line. Bangor line evening peak fast trains tend to operate from Central P1 and run straight out 'wrong road' to turn right at Lagan Jn, regaining the Down line just before Titanic Quarter station and using Bangor P2. Bangor P1 is used by the 07.51 service to Belfast SSuX, a unit that stables there overnight.

Our final NIR line for the day was to Larne Harbour (P1) at 15.45 from Great Victoria Street via Central P4. Return after a short break was at 17.02. The main event on the return was Magheramorne passing loop. Whitehead's Fish and Chip shop was sampled by some, whilst most stayed on the train for an arrival into, and departure from, Carrickfergus P3. At the very friendly Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (Whitehead) refreshments were kindly provided. Ex-Irish Rail 141 Class locomotive B142 and a single coach were used to cover some of the excursion platform, part of the run round loop and a rare crossover back onto the platform road. This was an extremely well thought out series of moves considering that most of the rolling stock was stabled in this area due to site reconstruction.

Whitehead departure was at 20.15; before Central the train ran from Lagan Jn 'wrong road' to P3 with arrival into Great Victoria Street P2. Several left here with most going to Lisburn on the 21.25 from P3 and a few very keen members going all the way to Portadown (22.13) terminating in P1. They returned on the 22.35 (the final train of the day) achieving the Portadown Belfast end trailing crossover on departure. At the end of a long and interesting day, Great Victoria Street was reached at 23.19.

Northern Ireland Long Weekend Part 2 - Day 2