Castlerock 07.09.1966 set 72-721-550-701-724-71
UTA official photograph
712 at Greenisland June 1968 photographer unknown
UTA offical photograph of 725 when new
70 Class lead by 78 leaving the old (closed 1980) Londonderry station about 1976. Photo by THE TURFBURNER
72-725-701 Castlerock 11.08.1984 Norman McKenzie photo
77-724-728-75 Larne Harbour 16.03.1986 Photographer unknown
We would like to thank Martin Baumann for the article and the images on this page which came from his vast collection
History of the NIR 70 Class
By Martin Baumann
Previous designs of railcars operated by the Ulster Transport Authority since its formation in 1948 had proved unsatisfactory, most had to be re-engined for instance, and when additional diesel trains were required to dieselize Londonderry express services they turned to the proven Hampshire DEMU design known as the 70 Class on UTA and later NIR. The initial order was for seven power cars which would be completed at the UTA workshops in Belfast. Trailers would be a mix of existing railcar trailers either rewired or dual wired plus new bodies on old frames, the oldest of which dated from 1924.
There were initially 2 Buffet Cars 5 Standard Corridors 1 Brake First 1 Brake Composite 2 Driving Brake Composite.
Fixed formations were not used. The most common formation was either a 3 car set with one power car one intermediate and a driving trailer or a 6 car with a power car at each end.
The driving trailers were gangwayed at both ends and were also used as intermediates.
Additional vehicles were acquired in 1968-1969: power car 78 two Driving Brake Composite and two Standard Corridor, three of these were new bodies on old frames while 727 was a conversion of BUT trailer 556 Also in 1969 an additional Buffet car was fitted for 70 class working : AEC 554
For many years a pair of 70 class power cars were used on overnight Londonderry-Lisburn goods trains.The 70 class were largely used on the Londonderry line but were also seen on the Larne line while in 1969 a set was in regular use on Belfast-Dublin trains due to the increasing unreliability of the ex GNR BUT railcars
The Buffet Cars were withdrawn by 1973 although 554 was later preserved by the RPSI though not as a DEMU car but in original condition as loco hauled coach 87.
In the 1970s first class was either declassified or rebuilt as standard and the majority of trailers rebuilt as opens. At the same time the power cars were changed from 44 seats (2+2) to 53 (2+3)
The last addition to the 70 Class fleet was trailer 728 in 1976. This was a Brake Standard Open rebuilt from MPD Driving Trailer 534.
In late 1977 BFK 701 and BSK 703 were rebuilt as DBSO so that more three car sets could be operated.
When the Belfast Central Railway was re-opened in 1976 the 70s could be seen regularly on the Portadown and Bangor lines but their main area of operation was still to the Northwest. On days of heavy traffic, for instance the “Northwest 200” motorcycle races in Portrush in May of each year up to six old loco hauled coaches or de-motored railcars would be added to the rear of a six car 701979 saw several withdrawals:
78 and 722 were written off after a firebomb attack at Belfast York Road while newly rebuilt 714 was withdrawn after a level crossing collision in July of that year.
702 was withdrawn due to poor condition at this time as was 727 the following year.On March 25th 1983 The 1705 Portadown to Bangor, 77-726-712, failed near Hilden, between Lisburn and Belfast.
The Lisburn signalman thought there was a track circuit failure rather than a stopped train and authorised the following train, empty 80 class 88-735, to pass a signal at danger.
This resulted in the two trains colliding. The driver of the empty was killed and several passengers injured. 88 and 726 plus 712 were withdrawn
The remaining 70 class cars were withdrawn between 1984 and 1986. The majority of vehicles were sunk in a flooded quarry in County Antrim due to asbestos insulation. The engines and traction motors were removed from the power cars for use in the 450 class. (This was also done with 88 before the remains were scrapped)
The final 70 class set in traffic was 75-721-724-725-728-77. It had been intended to keep it in traffic until late 1986 but it was so badly damaged by rioting Orangemen on April 1st 1986 it had to be withdrawn.The 70 Class carried three liveries during its life. First was Brown (or very dark red) plus white which gave way in the mid 1970s to NIR’s then standard blue and maroon colours.
From 1983 until withdrawal in October 1985 72-725-701 was painted in Sealink colours and was supposed to be dedicated to Belfast-Larne boat trains but in fact worked anywhere (725 retained this livery until withdrawal in 1986)
Apart from 554 (87) noted above 713 and 728 were preserved by The Downpatrick Railway.
728 remains on the line but 713 was destroyed in an arson attack in December 2002
POWER CAR 61.80t20.32m Full width cab at outer end gangway at inner end
550hp EE 4RSRKT engine 2 EE 538 traction motors on inner bogie
44 seats, reseated to 53 1976-1979
Car Name [10.1970] In Service Stopped Disposition
71 River Bush 07.1966 05.1984 CQ 08.1985
72 River Foyle 07.1966 10.1985 CQ 08.1986
73 River Roe 10.1966 05.1985 CQ 08.1985
74 River Lagan 10.1966 05.1983 CQ 01.1985
75 River Maine 11.1966 04.1986 CQ 08.1986
76 River Inver 02.1967 04.1984 CQ 01.1985
77 River Braid 04.1967 04.1986 CQ 08.1986
78 River Bann 09.1968 05.1979 CQ 05.1980 withdrawn after fire damage York Road station 25.05.1979
TRAILERS All had gangway at both ends, driving trailers had cab at one end. First class later declassified
Car Type rebuilt t m In Service Stopped
548 Buffet Car 32s 31.50 17.37 00.1966 07.1970 Dual cabled for MPD or 70 Class
550 Buffet Car 34s 31.00 18.31 07.1966 00.1973
554 Buffet Car 24s 31.00 19.51 07.1969 07.1970 Dual cabled for AEC or 70 Class
701 BFK 24/1 DBSO 58/212.1977 30.00 17.48 06.1966 10.1985
702 BCK 12/1-16/2 30.00 17.48 09.1966 00.1979
703 BSK 32/2 DBSO 58/211.1977 30.00 17.48 03.1967 01.1985
711 DBCK 12/1-24/2 DBSO 63/200.1976 30.00 18.49 05.1966 05.1985
712 DBCK 12/1-24/2 DBSO 63/200.1976 30.00 18.49 10.1966 03.1983
713 DBSK 40/2 DBSO 63/207.1977 29.00 17.40 11.1968 04.1984
714 DBSK 40/2 DBSO 49/206.1979 29.00 17.40 10.1969 07.1979
721 SK 56/2 30.00 17.48 03.1966 04.1986
722 SK 56/2 30.00 17.48 03.1966 05.1979
723 SK 56/2 30.00 17.48 03.1966 00.1984
724 SK 56/2 30.00 17.48 05.1966 04.1986
725 SK 56/2 30.00 17.48 05.1966 04.1986
726 SK 64/2 SO 70/207.1976 29.00 17.37 03.1969 03.1983
727 SK 72/2 29.50 17.68 05.1969 00.1980
728 BSO 70/2 29.00 18.49 10.1976 04.1986
Origin and disposition of 70 Class trailers
Car Origin Disposition
548 See MPD section Unknown
550 See MPD section Out of use 1973-1978 then preserved by RPSI as UTA 87
554 See AEC section Scrapped at Antrim 05.1973
701 J11 373 (1930) CQ 08.1986
702 J11 371 (1929) Last ran 1979 withdrawn 1984 CQ 01.1985
703 Note 1 CQ 01.1985
711 Note 1 CQ 08.1985
712 Note 1 Withdrawn after accident at Hilden 25.03.1983 CQ 10.1983
713 F2 278 ex 66 (1924) Stored YR until 15.09.1991 preserved at Downpatrick, destroyed by fire 26.12.02
714 F2 280 ex 67 (1924) Withdrawn after accident near Dunloy 09.07.1979
721 Note 1 CQ 08.86
722 Note 2 Withdrawn after fire damage at York Road 25.05.79 CQ 05.80
723 J11 377 (1932) CQ 08.85
724 Note 2 CQ 08.86
725 J11 379 (1932) CQ 08.86
726 J6 362 ex 263 (1932) Withdrawn after accident at Hilden 25.03.83 Disposition unknown
727 see BUT section Withdrawn 1980 preserved by RPSI but scrapped 11.1994
728 See MPD section ex MPD
534 Stored at YR until 00.09.1991 when preserved at Downpatrick
701-725 were new bodies on old frames order of 723 and 725 frames may be reversed
Note 1: Frame 1928 from one of J11 363,365,367,369
Note 2: Frame 1925 from one of J11 357 or 359
CQ:Dumped in Crosshill Quarry