Irish News

Pre-‘Pacer’ experimental four-wheel railcar No. RB3 could return across the Irish Sea and be reconverted from broad to standard gauge.

THE Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR) is seeking a home for railbus No. RB3, built in 1981 by BREL (No. RDB 977020) in Derby as a prototype lightweight vehicle, using a Leyland National bus body and a high-speed freight underframe.

Before being acquired and regauged for use by Northern Ireland Railways in 1982, it was used as a demonstrator in the Bristol area. After crossing the Irish Sea it saw service primarily between Coleraine to Portrush but proved to be unsuitable to deal with the passenger flows.

It was moved to inspection duties, before finally being withdrawn by NIR in December 1992, and spent a brief spell on loan from Translink to the Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, before arriving at Downpatrick & County Down Railway in 2001.

Used on a few public services and special events for only a short time at the DCDR before being withdrawn, it has been in storage ever since, apart from a small number of runs in 2012, though as hauled stock.

DCDR explored all options to secure No. RB3’s future in Ireland, including discussions with the Railbus Trust and latterly a specialist familiar with the Leyland National design to rehome No. RB3, or get it operational on DCDR metals, but unfortunately the attempts foundered.

Robert Gardiner, DCDR chairman told The RM: “There is no likelihood of us ever being able to get it running again and we need the space. Sadly, nobody else in Ireland can take No. RB3. Offering the vehicle to a new home in Great Britain is the best option for the future care of the vehicle, as there would be more readily available spares and expert knowledge.

“As part of one of the previous attempts to rehome No. RB3, a set of 4ft 8½in wheels have been set aside at Arlington Fleet Services, and potentially other parts elsewhere, but these would need to be acquired through a separate arrangement.”

Interested parties should contact DCDR via info@downrail. co.uk

TONY GRAY BREL-designed No. RB3 was primarily used by Northern Ireland Railways on the Portrush branch. However, before withdrawal in 1992, it strayed off NIR metals to operate the Cavan Coup railtour on July 28, 1990. It operated from Belfast to Drogheda and then on to the now closed Iarnród Éireann’s freight only line to Kingscourt which closed from Navan in November 2001. It is seen passing Nobber Station on the return leg.