N.I.R. 450 Class 'Thumper' - Cab Ride & Departure

Filming Date: 17/3/2025
Filmed With: Google Pixel 7 Pro
On Monday 17th March 2025 (St. Patrick's Day), the Downpatrick & County Down Railway was running the 'Shamrock Express' trains between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey stations. These were operated with N.I.R. 450 Class D.E.M.U. 458/788 'Antrim Castle'. These were the first trains of 2025 at the railway and my first time visiting it as an enthusiast.
The friendly driver Mike Beckett allowed me to have a cab ride on the 13:30 Inch Abbey to Downpatrick service, and so of course I obliged, and I filmed the journey between the two stations. I show both the view from the driver's window and also the controls in the cab during the journey. When arriving at Downpatrick a variety of static rolling stock is seen in the yard including the old N.I.R. railbus which has since been sent over to Wales.
Then I filmed the train departing Downpatrick station with the 14:00 service back to Inch Abbey station. In the clip of the train departing you can hear traditional Irish music and this was part of the St. Patrick's Day festivities. This was a very fun experience and I'm very grateful to have been allowed to get a cab ride.