NIR Class 80

The Class 80 is a type of diesel electric multiple unit formerly used by Northern Ireland Railways. They were affectionately nicknamed 'Thumpers' by rail enthusiasts due to the thumping noise their engines produced.

History

By the early 1970s the MEDs and units inherited from the GNR(I) had been in service for 20 years, and the MPDs for 10 years. To replace these increasingly life-expired units, Northern Ireland Railways placed an order with BREL for 9 new DMUs. These were to be built as four 3-car and five 2-car sets and were delivered in 1974/75. Structurally, the new trains were based on the British Rail MK IIb bodyshell, which NIR was already using for the Enterprise service. The new trains were named as the Class 80.

The power cars were fitted with an English Electric 560 HP diesel engine, with electric transmission to two traction motors mounted on the rear bogie. The seating capacity of the power cars was 45, however after providing for wheelchair accommodation, this was reduced to 42. The vehicle also incorporated a guards/parcel compartment. The intermediate coaches were fitted with an additional door on each side to aid passenger flow and had a capacity of 87. The driving trailers had a small cab built at one end, which necessitated the removal of six seats. This cab was set to the left to preserve the gangway connection, so that two train sets could be coupled together and still allow passengers to travel between the trains. All three types are of integral construction, however the power cars, because of their weight, also have an underframe. They were similar to the UTA 70 Class, both mechanically and electrically.

The Class 80 was intended to replace the aging MED, MPD and ex-GNR AEC and BUT railcars on the NCC services and the suburban service between Bangor and Portadown. The railcars proved so successful that a second series was ordered in 1975, entering service in 1977/78.

Each vehicle was numbered individually, with power car numbers running from 67 to 69, and 81 to 99. The Intermediate Trailers were numbered 761 to 780 and the Driving Trailers were numbered 731 to 756. Power cars 81 to 89 were built between 1974/1975, while 67 to 69 and 90 to 99 were built between 1978/1979. Intermediate Trailers 761 to 764 were also built between 1974/1975, with 765 to 773 being completed between 1978/1979. Likewise, the Driving Trailers were also completed in batches, with 731 to 739 built between 1974/1975 and 740 to 751 built between 1978/1979. The additional coaches were conversions from BR or old NI Railways loco-hauled coaches, and were not original Class 80 vehicles. These were Driving Trailers 752 to 756 and Intermediate Trailers 774 to 780. During the mid-1990s the surviving vehicles were all renumbered by Translink, by adding 8000 to their numbers to avoid duplication with the bus fleet operated by Ulsterbus and Citybus, also Translink subsidiaries.

Use by Iarnród Éireann

An unidentified 80 class set carrying the then Iarnród Éireann logo at Dún Laoghaire in 1988.

Three 3-car sets were leased by Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) from NIR in October 1987 for use on, respectively, the Bray–Greystones shuttle (previously operated by a push–pull set rebuilt from CIÉ 2600 Class railcars), the Dublin Connolly–Maynooth route, and the Cork–Cobh line. They were originally intended as a short-term measure until Mark 3 push–pull sets became available.^[1] The sets entered service on 2 November. In addition to their regular services, they were employed on a variety of other workings, including a nine-car All-Ireland hurling special from Cork to Dublin. However, although the sets were fitted with Continuous Automatic Warning System and IÉ train radio in March 1990 and "for a while it appeared as if the units were going to be purchased by [IÉ]," NIR required them back when the lease expired at the end of October 1990. A brief "stay of execution" for the Greystones shuttle lasted until 26 November.^[2]

Refurbishment

8082 at Belfast Central (2004)

8090 At Helen's Bay (2015)

8069 At Lisburn (2015)

Despite the increasing age and obselesence of the Class 80, the lack of available rolling stock meant that NIR was forced to retain a number of units, even in spite of the entry into service of the new Class 3000. Until 2011, NIR maintained up to three 4-car units for use on passenger services. These saw a pair of 2-car units, a power car and driving trailer, coupled back to back. Six trailers were refurbished and fitted with central door locking enabling them to remain in service until the new Class 4000 units entered service in 2012. [742 had been nominated for retention but was scrapped in May 2008 and replaced in the programme by 752]

The power cars were overhauled at LH services in Staffordshire and the trailers at York Road works in Belfast

Set 89-733-738-69 remained in service until 24 May 2008

97 was converted to a Sandite spraying vehicle in 2006 and in 2006 and 2007 was used on these duties coupled to 89. On 1 October 2008 97 had a test run with refurbished 82 and this pair were used for Sandite trains until December 2008

Set 93-754-749-94 was sporadically on test from 23 July 2008. As of 3 November 2008, it has been reported than regular passenger services had commenced with this set.

In 2009, 8097 was on Sandite duties again with 8082. During October 2009 while out on Sanditing Duties the engine in 8097 exploded. 8082 struggled with haulling dead 8097 so it was decided to add 8094 to back of the train to help it along.

On 17 December 2009, a second refurbished 80 class was deployed onto the Larne Line. The final sets on the Larne Line were 8090-8749-8752-8093 and 8094-8754-8747-8082. The third refurbished set was stored at York Road and it consisted of 8069-8733-8738-8089.

On 26 January 2010, 8089 entered passenger service with 8093, 8090 was taken off the set on Saturday 23 January 2010. 8090 was stored at the south end of the south sidding at York Road.

It was rumoured that 8082 had been withdrawn from service following from an engine fire. 8082 was fixed and returned to working order after the fire in Larne.

In 2011, the entire Class 450 fleet, together with the remaining Class 80 units, was listed by NI Railways for disposal.^[3]

The final Class 80 units were withdrawn from passenger service on 25 September 2011. The 80s class sandite train for the 2012 Winter season - was formed of three power cars and one driving trailer. Winter 2013 sandite train was done formed of three power cars and one driving trailer.

Power cars 8069+8094+8090 and driving trailers 8749+8752 were overhauled and painted into all yellow livery

Fleet details

Status Of Class 80 Units

Power cars

Intermediate Trailers

Driving Trailers

References

1. ↑ "Railcars". Journal of the Irish Railway Record Society. 16 (105): 360–1. February 1988.  |access-date= requires |url= (help)
2. ↑ Whistler, A.J. (January 1995). "Greystones Shuttle". Journal of the Irish Railway Record Society. 19 (127): 54–67.  |access-date= requires |url= (help)
3. ↑ Rail Vehicles for Disposal - Translink

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