County Donegal Railcars

I wasn't aware that 2 of the Walker railcar bodies had survived - do you have any links to pics of them please?


Keith

 

West clare railcar | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Thats 3386 another survives number 3389 (Copyright Sean Cain)

 

Thanks for that Darragh - great to know that they survived, even without their powered driving ends.


Keith

 

I heard on the IOMSRA forum that if the units were made with a multiple drive bogie, the surplus power unit could be given to an irish group for a replica, now the resources arent there for a replica, but since the walker units on the west clare and donegal were the same mechanically, what about using the driving equipment with one of the west clare bodies under a replica cab?

 

Unfortunately Darragh you've been misled by a couple of self-appointed "experts" on the IOMSRSA forum. There are no plans by the owners (IOM Rlys) to change the propulsion system in any way. Both engines and one of the power bogies had already been overhauled before work was suspended and I don't see the railway giving any parts away. I have no doubt that the railcars will eventually be restored for use on the IMR (where they belong IMHO) and the IOMSRSA is now in a better position to exert pressure to achieve this.
If the T&D can obtain the West Clare bodies it could actually be an advantage. My suggestion would to build 2 replica cab units but only fit a power unit to one of them, the other would, in effect, be a driving trailer for back to back operation. A modern transmission unit would allow bi-directional running at normal line speeds, something which the original gearboxes will not allow.
This would have the double advantage of being your own unit rather than butchering the IMR ones with the resultant criticism. Ray.

 

Oright thanks ray, and Im not claiming them as ours or yours in the interests of railway heritage from my irish viewpoint I think what ought to happen is that the IOMR restore them for use on their system, we can get on with our own jobs, and who knows maybe when the railcars are restored they could visit Tralee on their holidays for a year or something?

 

checking the date ...... no it's the 2nd alright....