A DISTINCTIVE train which was destined for the scrapyard has been saved from destruction by a successful fundraising campaign.
Introduced to Northern Ireland in the early 1970s, when it was feared the Troubles would close the railways and prevent commuters from getting to work, the 80 Class became much loved for their reliability and strength.
Affectionately known as ‘Thumpers’, because of the thumping noise their engines produced, in the nineties, they were also used for the Peace Train movement, operating between Belfast and Dublin, with one of the surviving units, operating the last Peace Train to Dublin and back.
The last of the 80 Class – used by Translink as leaf-busting trains during last autumn – were later withdrawn from service.
However, last month, train enthusiasts launched a fundraising campaign to raise the cash needed to save the 80 Class and restore it to its former glory.
A month on, Downpatrick & County Down Railway yesterday revealed that its `Save an 80 Class' appeal had successfully raised £12,500 to safeguard the future of the iconic train and this week, the historic rail cars arrived at their new home in Downpatrick.
The four vehicles that make up the 80 Class unit, power cars and driving trailers, were transported from Translink's York Road engineering depot, using a specialist low-loader lorry.
Robert Gardiner, from Downpatrick & Co Down Railway, said: "This has been the most successful fundraising campaign we've ever undertaken, and we are deeply humbled by the response from the public towards this campaign."
Mr Gardiner said all donations would go towards the cost of "repainting, the transportation costs and also the ancillary work needed to return these vehicles to passenger service which can now begin.
"This will include deep cleaning the interiors and other works and getting them ready for passenger service - and hopefully we'll be able to launch the vehicles later this year subject to driver training – anyone interested in helping with this refurbishment work is more than welcome to register to become a volunteer, or indeed to learn to drive the train."
