28/09/2014 - 16:06: The intermediate and driving trailer are propelled into the workshop and at 16:25, the 450 Class was finally in one piece once more! (Well, technically 3 pieces coupled together, but you know what I mean)

27/09/2014 - 13:40: Ex-NIR MkII DBSO is shunted up the ramp and coupled to 788. Unloading commences 

29/09/2014 - 17:33: The 450 Class is shunted outside, and the evening sun sets over the DCDR's latest arrival

28/09/2014 - 07:57: The DBSO is shunted up the ramp and unloading commences

27/09/2014 - 13:56: 788's first bogie lands on DCDR metals,and at 14:00, the whole thing is safely off the lorry!

458 Arrives At Downpatrick

The Downpatrick & County Down Railway in Northern Ireland has joined the select group of lines who can call themselves 'Thumper Operators'.
Morgan Young has done a report for us about the delivery of the unit to Downpatrick along with a number of photos he took over the two days it took to deliver.

Over the course of the 27th of 28th of September 2014, the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway took delivery of a 3-car 450 Class set.
The set in question was 458, ''Antrim Castle''. The whole class, which once consisted of 9 sets, was nicknamed the ''Castle Class'', as each set was named after a castle. 
Built by BREL in 1985, the class utilises MkI underframes and MkIII bodyshells. 
​Engines were sourced from their predecessors, the 70 Class. Only 8 70 Class power cars were built though, so the engine for 459 came from 80 Class power car No. 88, which was damaged in a crash at Hilden in 1983.  

We want to thank Morgan Young for the article and photos, please take the time to see more of Morgan's Photos on his Flickr Site 

8/09/2014 - 10:56: The Driving Trailer and Intermediate are coupled together and taken to the loop platform to be turned. 
The DBSO is then coupled to the Driving Trailer,the first time buckeye couplers have been used at the DCDR.

27/09/2014 - 1402: 788 is shunted out of the workshop,safely stored for the night before being reunited with its intermediate and power car the following day

27/09/2014 - 13:17: The Driving Trailer arrives by road from York Road depot, Belfast

28/09/2014 - 15:33: The DBSO is shunted up the ramp and unloading commences.
By 15:36 the first bogie is safely off the lorry and at 15:43, the second bogie followed 

28/09/2014 - 08:05: The first bogie touches down on DCDR metals. 
​The second bogie would follow a few minutes later

28/09/2014 - 08:16: The intermediate is shunted out of the workshop and brought to the Driving Trailer