Harland and Wolff help in Victorian carriage repairs

Harland and Wolff help in Victorian carriage repairs

21 August 2024

THE Downpatrick and County Down Railway has partnered with legendary Belfast shipbuilders Harland and Wolff to help restore a unique Victorian railway carriage.

The project to recreate the unique carriage will serve as a pivotal training opportunity for Harland & Wolff apprentices, immersing them in heritage skills essential to fabrication and engineering, but also reviving a long connection between the shipbuilder and Northern Ireland’s railways. 

In the 1930s, Harland and Wolff diversified its manufacturing expertise beyond shipbuilding to produce diesel locomotives that were used locally at Downpatrick and Ballynahinch and as far afield as Canada.

Now, this rich legacy is being revitalised with the first railway vehicle to be built by the shipyard since the Second World War.

Built in 1862, carriage No 33 is the sole survivor from Northern Ireland’s first railway company – the Ulster Railway – and is only one of a handful of Irish railway carriages to survive from the dawn of the railway era into modern times.

As such, the carriage is actually closer in age to Stephenson’s Rocket than it is to most other railway vehicles in Northern Ireland’s railway museums.

The Ulster Railway was formed in 1836 and operated out of Great Victoria Street to Portadown and Armagh, later becoming the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) operating to Dublin. 

It is poignant that this vehicle’s restoration coincides with rail services on its former home at Great Victoria Street site recently ending in May.

Heritage railway chairman Robert Gardiner said the organisation is “thrilled” to partner with Harland & Wolff on the historic project.

"Their enthusiasm for the project to recreate this Victorian gem has completely knocked us over and is wonderful against the back of our recovery from the devastating floods in November. It  is truly appreciated,” he continued.

“Harland and Wolff’s passion and expertise are invaluable in the restoration of the Ulster Railway No 33. This collaboration not only honours our shared industrial heritage but also provides an excellent training ground for apprentices to learn and master heritage crafts."

No 33 was a first class “family saloon” with two large first-class compartments that were separated by a pair of lavatories. 

Wealthy families would hire these luxurious compartments for themselves for a day’s travel which, like Titanic, kept them apart from third class travellers. 

The carriage was retired from railway service in 1920 and the body was removed from its wheels and used as a railway office, and later a farm shed, until it was saved by the local railway in 1987.

In addition to severe wood rot and structural problems, a major barrier to restoration was the prior removal of the chassis, or under frame, in the 1920s. 

However, a century later, the recreation of this under frame now serves as a major educational tool, marking a major milestone in the heritage railway sector in Northern Ireland.

The development of the design has followed best practice from fellow heritage railways in England, with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway providing specialist advice on the project as well. 

The heritage railway first teamed up with Queen’s University, with students undertaking research and design work into the frame, stress calculations as well as braking systems, with Harland and Wolff now coming on board to move to the fabrication stage, with the required steel being very kindly provided by long-time heritage railway supporter Walter Watson Ltd Steel Stockholders in Castlewellan.

The project is being taken on as part of Harland and Wolff’s apprenticeship programme, offering students robust training in areas such as fabrication, welding and mechanical engineering. 

This hands-on project with the railway allows apprentices to gain invaluable real-world experience, ensuring the transfer of critical skills from seasoned professionals to the workforce of tomorrow.

News of the partnership comes after representatives from the Department of Infrastructure Rail Safety Authority visited the railway to view its flood recovery work as the charity works towards reopening. 

The DfI representatives were very pleased at the progress the small team of volunteers has made.

Several weeks ago, DfI Minister John O’Dowd visited the railway and revealed that his department will work alongside it to help with the reopening.

Mr O’Dowd said the local railway “brings to life the rich rail heritage of the area and indeed across the island” and that the enthusiasm, passion and pride for rail travel past and present was in abundance.  

He added: “It was inspiring to see and hear how the volunteers and the local community responded to the autumn flooding events and to hear of the preparations that are being made to become operational again.

“A feasibility study looking to identify viable flood risk management and engineering solutions will include the railway facility,” confirming that as the Rail Safety Authority, the DfI is working with the heritage railway to ensure safety compliance for the reopening of the facility.