With inclement weather bringing the threat of flooding at Downpatrick on Saturday 15th November, we decided to move the most at-risk locomotives and other stock to higher areas within the station. Ths shunt involved moving 124 and G617, along with DCDR's 80 Class power car No.90. Although, thankfully, this action ultimately proved unnecessary, it was felt to be a much more sensible than taking the risk of serious damage to traction motors as happened during the disastrous 2023 floods.
During the shunt we found an unusual visitor to the yard in the form of an eel, which had become marooned having presumably travelled up from the river as water encroached on the line. ITG volunteers safely rescued the eel, and brought it back to the River Quoile using G617, likely the eel to get a cabride in a G class (unless anyone knows differently).
