[dowlingm]

Originally Posted by etchyed

What was the DBSO fiasco? Also, Oscar Bravo mentions Health and Safety issues. I don't really understand, does anyone know what these are, or if not what they could potentially be?

Sorry to ask so many questions, it's just that I find this all quite interesting but I don't have the background knowledge to understand it.

The "Gatwick" set was a set of Mark2f built 1983 which were converted to push-pull for service on the Gatwick Express service. They became surplus and NIR snapped them up in 2001, regauged them to 5ft 3 and used them for about 4 years and thereafter stored them. Because they were pulled around by a 111 and had no driving cab at the far end they had to have the locomotive run around at termini which increases the ratio of non-service time to service time on a given day.

The DBSO (Driving Brake Standard Open) was a UK Mark 2f driving trailer/cab car obtained by NIR. Once commissioned either one of the push pull 201s or, after mods were done, the NIR 111s could push the Gatwick set controlled from the DBSO at the front end.

The DBSO arrived in Belfast over a year late by which time a lot of the need for it had passed but even then it never seemed to do anything even for rugby specials - the Class 3000 had taken over. NIR kept the set in storage, with ministers continually telling the assembly the set was fleet even as vandals got at some of the carriages. This thread from IRN with commentary below will give you a flavour of what ducks and drakes have been played (and what money wasted) on this project.

EDIT: did not see csd's post before hitting save on mine.

[Oscar Bravo]

226 Crosses 076 in Claremorris 2 weeks ago....

[Dublin Spotter]

Alot of H and S issues there im told.In other news the loudest 201,220 is resting in Ballina this weekend,parked alongside 207.(Easily seen from the road into Ballina). 220 will work the 0815 Ballina-N.wall IWT liner on Monday-get out and have a listen!! Also,a fair bit of rust is visible on both 207 and 209.

221 has being resting in Carlow since Thursday. There is about 6 autoballasters attacked to it. The first time I saw one of the loco turned off.

[Karsini]

Originally Posted by Dublin Spotter

221 has being resting in Carlow since Thursday. There is about 6 autoballasters attacked to it. The first time I saw one of the loco turned off.

I was on a 1710 Dublin-Athlone service a few years back with 234. Upon arriving in Athlone, 234 was shut down and just left there, still coupled to the Mark 3s.

[Oscar Bravo]

Dublin Spotter,Try and get a picture,rare at the moment!!

[Dublin Spotter]

It will be Wednesday before I will be on the line. Will be getting the 13.10 and by chance it arrives on plt 2 and it stops for a few mins waiting for another train if its on time I will get out and get one.

[FR.Ted Crilly]

I like your work guy's but seriously i think your train crazy

[Dublin Spotter]

Can't get a picture as it was noted through Athy this morning.

[Rud]

Strangely enough i have pics of 221 in my home town of Athy and in Carlow from the last few days but i won't be able to upload them till i get home from work later

[Oscar Bravo]

This weeks Ballina-Waterford timber was again worked by an Enterprise loco,this time 209. 221 worked the N.wall-Ballina IWT liner.

[Karsini]

I also saw two Enterprise locos on Cork services today, I think they were 207 and 233 as I saw yellow ends on them.

[Jamie2k9]

217 and 227 operating two Mark 4 sets and as said above 207.

[Oscar Bravo]

221 blasting through Foxford Station,Mayo, earlier with the IWT liner

[Jamie2k9]

234 in Waterford with autoballasters attached.

[Cookie_Monster]

Originally Posted by Jamie2k9

234 in Waterford with autoballasters attached.