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In June
1992 the ITG reached agreement with CIE to rent the former goods
store at Carrick-On-Suir Railway Station,Co. Tipperary, as an operating base.
This abandoned building has been renovated and converted into a
small workshop in which some of its collection of locomotives are being
restored. Work undertaken on the building included the fitting
of new roller shutter doors, repairs to the roof and windows,
installation of a three-phase power supply and relaying of the
track either side of the shed.
The first
locomotive purchased by the ITG was 201 "C" class locomotive No.
226, which was handed over to the Group at a ceremony in
Inchicore Works, Dublin, on 23rd October 1992. This locomotive
had the distinction of being the first main line diesel
locomotive to be preserved in Ireland. This locomotive is
presently undergoing restoration at Carrick-On-Suir. Fellow 201
"C" class locomotive No. 231 was purchased shortly thereafter on
16th November 1992. This locomotive has now been restored to
working order, and is normally based at Inchicore Works, Dublin.
The
Group's next
acquisition was Sulzer engined locomotive No. B103, the sole
remaining example of twelve locomotives built by BRCW at
Smethwick in 1956. The last examples of this type were withdrawn
by CIE in 1977. No. B103 was purchased by the ITG on 27th April
1993, and is presently stored at Carrick-On-Suir awaiting
restoration.
The Group is
also the owner of two 001 "A" class locomotives, Nos. A3R and
A39. Both locomotives were purchased from Iarnród Éireann in
December 1995 in full working order. No. A3R is presently in CIE
black & tan livery, whilst No. A39 has recently been repainted
into black livery. Both locomotives are based at Inchicore
Works, Dublin.
The ITG
also owns four diesel shunting locomotives; these being Deutz
"G" class locomotives Nos. G601, G611, G616 and G617. No. G601
is stored at Carrick-On-Suir awaiting restoration. No. G616 is
presently undergoing restoration in the Goods Shed at
Carrick-On-Suir. Nos. G611 and G617 are in working order, and
are currently on long term loan to the Downpatrick & County Down
Railway.
Apart from the
locomotives mentioned above, the ITG also owns Wickham
Inspection Car No. 712. This vehicle is currently stored out of
use at the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway.
During 2008,
the ITG hope to acquire the two remaining examples of the
General Motors built 121 (B) class locomotives. The two
locomotives earmarked for preservation by the ITG are Nos. 124
and 134, both of which were withdrawn by Iarnród Éireann in June
2008. Their sale to the Group has already been agreed by Iarnród
Éireann, and the necessary funds to secure their purchase have
already been raised.
In
addition, the ITG is also presently raising funds to preserve at
least one example of the Iarnród Éireann 141 (B) and 181 (B)
class locomotives as and when the last examples are finally
withdrawn from service.
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