Great video! That's actually me and my brother on the dart looking into the drivers cab at 22:26. That was one of the first public runs of the dart in 1984. We went from Bray to Dun Laoghire and back.
Remember those logos well they lasted a very short time they were being replaced by the white script Logos within two years. Imagine my surprise when I looked at this vid and saw myself varnishing the old Logo to hold it onto the Coach all those years ago.
Amazing to see. I grew up in Shankill (near where the film was shot by the beach) and remember the construction of the DART line. We had access to the line before that, there was even a level crossing at Shanganagh. When the DART came it was all fenced off and less used crossings were removed. It was funny to see the two car set in the video, as that's how they initially ran. They're all 6 - 8 car sets now from what I can see. I think credit has to be given to the government of the day for funding the project - given the straightened financial times. Its so crowded now its a victim of its own success. Similarly, I think credit has to be given the massive investment in the 2000's and for funding the link up of the tram lines through the recent recession. Its these pieces of infrastructure that make a city attractive. I don't think DART underground will get funded given the costs involved but I do hope the DART extension to the Airport and the commissioning of the Phoenix park tunnel for cross city services go ahead.
With the UK's Third World Government under foreign control I'm amazed at the propsed electrification from Belfast to the Border with the South. The line to Drogheda is being wired so maybe the whole route should be
The Irish Government attitude to the Railway: "A feeling that railways are a sort of social benefit to society" The British Government attitude to the Railway: "they're a problem to be managed". I remember an Irish Transport Minister saying in the early 2000's that "privatisation of the railways is definitely not on the agenda, we would never privatise such vital national assets". Where as in the UK: "Sell it off, extract as much money out of it as possible" Such contrasts. A fascinating programme, a really lovely upload -- Thank You Preserved Thumpers for sharing this, really is brilliant. 5 Stars, big ol' Thumbs Up.
This video feels more 1970s or 1980s than 2000s. But I hope Irish railways can grow strong even with short haul freight the key to which is transferring cargo onto trains from ships.
Mm nice to see this archive footage. We are all now looking forward to the long awaited report of the cross border all ireland rail review, agreed to both both the Republic and the Executive. The recent decision to reduce transport fares in the South, will stimulate useage on IE.
A fine example of dedicated railwaymen on both sides of the border, doing a good job in what were often difficult circumstances, not only because of terrorists, but from government intransigence with lack of commitment and funding.
