Táilte Tours of Ireland has donated €1,600 worth of enamel badges to Donegal Railway Heritage Centre where they will be sold to raise funds for the centre.
The donation continues Táilte Tours’ commitment to supporting heritage railway groups in Ireland.
The badges depict the original County Donegal Railway steam locomotive No.2 Blanche which was built in 1881, withdrawn in 1905, and scrapped in 1909.
This is the third fund time that Táilte Tours has donated fundraising badges, with similar donations made last year to the Downpatrick & County Down Railway and the Cavan & Leitrim Railway.
Funding for the badges came from funds raised during Táilte’s railtours and similar events around Ireland, and they will be available to buy from the museum’s shop in Donegal town, and on the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre website at www.donegalrailway.com
Táilte Tours is named after Great Southern Railway 800 Class No. 802 Táilte, one of Ireland’s largest steam locomotives built for the Belfast to Dublin, and later Cork, Enterprise services.
Táilte Tours is not a commercial organisation but is a voluntary-led committee formed in 2022 that organises mainline rail tours and bus tours to places of railway interest to raise funds and awareness for Ireland’s smaller railway heritage groups.
The most recent tour was “The Hills of Donegal Tour” last Saturday, 6th July by bus to Oakfield Park for a trip behind the 15” gauge tank engine Duchess of Difflin, Ireland’s first new-build steam locomotive.
The next stop was Donegal town and a visit to the County Donegal Railway Heritage Centre. Highlights here included No.5 Drumboe, an original County Donegal Railways Joint Committee locomotive, and a working steam engine simulator.
RailAdvent members benefit from a discount on the groups tours, and further information about the group and their tours can be found at www.tailtetours.com
This exquisitely designed badge celebrates the historic Donegal Heritage Railways Joint Committee steam locomotive No.2 “Blanche”, featuring detailed artwork, right down to the motion. The badge offers a unique keepsake for visitors to Donegal, badge collectors, and railway enthusiasts alike.
All proceeds from sales will go directly toward the preservation and restoration of the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre’s collection. By purchasing this badge, supporters can help safeguard this cherished piece of history, ensuring its stories and experiences are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Alex Richardson of the Táilte Tours committee
Responses
The GSR 800 class were specifically built for use between Cork and Dublin. Their introduction removed the need for double heading and even triple heading heavy trains up the steep gradient s out of Cork.
The only time an 800 class travelled between Dublin and Belfast was when No 800, Maedhbh was transferred to Belfast transport museum.
Thanks for another splendid issue of RA.
Perhaps in the following issue we may have a very obvious narrow gauge content. I dont mind if miniature lines are marginalised as they are purely for kiddies’ fun.
Ian F. Sevenoaks.