[RARE] Enterprise test train passing Mossley West station

Filming Date: Thursday 3rd July 2025
Filming Location: Mossley West station
In this video, an Enterprise train is seen making a rare appearance on the Londonderry line, passing through Mossley West station. De Dietrich D.V.T. 9002 recently had new sanders fitted, and before it could return to passenger service, 9002 had to be tested. Due to the Portadown / Dublin line being very busy resulting in low capacity for additional traffic, and De Dietrich coaches not being permitted on the Bangor and Larne lines, the test happened on the Londonderry line, operating 2 return runs from York Road depot to Templepatrick passing loop. This was able to happen as the De Dietrich coaches are permitted as far north as Ballymena. An Enterprise train on the Londonderry line is rare, however a similar test run to Templepatrick also happened in August 2024, so it is likely that if De Dietrich coaches need tested again in the future they will run to Templepatrick again.
The train was using I.É. 201 Class locomotive 231 'River Maigue', and a complete Enterprise set. This was the first time a locomotive in the grey unbranded livery (nicknamed the badger livery) has operated on the Londonderry line. Also, it is rare to see an Enterprise train on single track line, as there is no single track on the entirety of the Belfast to Dublin main line, with the exception of the Boyne bridge in Drogheda. Parts of the Dargan bridge in Belfast (used for E.C.S. moves) are also single track but other than that, Enterprise trains do not go on single track lines.
The first shot of the video is the train passing Mossley West station northbound (with 231 at the front) working the 10:38 test run from York Road depot to Templepatrick loop.
Then the train is seen passing through Mossley West station again this time in the opposite direction, with an excellent 1 tone working the 11:42 test run from Templepatrick loop to York Road depot.
There was a second return run that happened, and I went to see it at Whiteabbey station, however due to problems with 231's engine, the test happened late and I missed it. I am still happy that I saw the first one at Mossley West station.