And that’s it. Moyexit – ‘Moyasta Exit’ is complete!
On Sunday 27th July 2025, the fourth and final ITG locomotive from Moyasta arrived in Downpatrick for the next stage in its preservation story, as A class loco A3R touched down on Downpatrick tracks at last.
Loading took place at Moyasta on Saturday 26th July, with a lot less drama than our first attempt in June. With A3R on board and safely strapped down, the convoy made its slow journey across Ireland, overnighting at Lusk services and arriving at Downpatrick at lunchtime on Sunday.
Unloading was handled quickly and efficiently, and we all got to go home for an early bath mid-afternoon – apart from Norman who was already crawling through the engine room inspecting the horrors than lurked within.
A3R will sit in the front yard at Downpatrick until after the summer season is over in September, before making its way to the locomotive yard, and hopefully acquiring some new tarpaulins. Restoration is on the back burner while we focus on 124 and 190, but hopefully A3’s time will come one day.
The main thing is that all four ITG-owned locomotives are now safe and secure, though it has taken over 12 months of effort to get this far and much blood, sweat and tears from our Carrick-on-Suir based volunteers and the Downpatrick ITG volunteers, as well as support from the rest of the railway family at Downpatrick.
You can see the locos for yourself in August at our diesel day, much handier than driving all the way to West Clare.
Whilst some Mark 3 carriages remain at Moyasta, along with fellow A class loco A15, these are not owned by the ITG, so won't be coming to Downpatrick. The Mark 3s are expected to leave in the coming weeks/months, and the future for A15 is currently uncertain.
We still need all the help we can get with this restoration work – please give what you can. Donate here.
