Following withdrawal by CIE in November 1977 this locomotive, along with sister locomotives G611, G613, G615 and G616, was sold to Comhlucht Siuicre Éireann (Irish Sugar Company). G617 was then used for shunting at the sugar factory at Thurles where it was to remain until it was preserved, along with G616, by the now defunct Great Southern Railway Preservation Society (GSRPS) in the mid-1980s. Both G616 and G617 were then moved to the GSRPS’s base at Mallow, where as start was made on their restoration.  

However, this project eventually floundered in 1990, and both locomotives were then sold to the Deutz Operators Group (DOG) in November 1990. The DOG consisted of four of the then Committee members of the ITG, who stepped in to ensure that these two locomotives were not disposed of for scrap, as at that time the ITG were unable to take them as the Group had not yet secured an operating base. No work was carried out on G617 at Mallow, as efforts were concentrated on sister locomotive G616.

Once the ITG had secured its base at Carrick-On-Suir, ownership of both G616 and G617 was transferred to the ITG in August 1993. Both locomotives were re-united with their wheels, and were then moved by low-loader to Carrick-On-Suir. Once at Carrick-On-Suir, work commenced on getting G617 operational.

On 29^th May 1994 this locomotive was started for the first time in ITG ownership. It was given a quick repaint into “black and tan” livery prior to a visit of an ITG railtour to Carrick-On-Suir on 26^th November 1994. In September 1995 the locomotive was placed on long term loan to the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway, where it has remained ever since. During the latter part of 2007, and the first half of 2008, this locomotive received a body and mechanical overhaul at Downpatrick, which included a repaint into CIE black livery and the fitting of replacement LED marker lights recovered from withdrawn “80”80 class railcar vehicles.

G617 being started for the first time in many years.

G617 at Carrick on Suir

G617 at the Downpatrick and Co. Down Railway.