Refurbishment
Despite the increasing age and obselesence of the Class 80, the lack of available rolling stock has meant that NIR has been forced to retain a number of units, even in spite of the entry into service of the new Class 3000. As of 2009, NIR will maintain up to three 4-car units for use on passenger services. These will see a pair of 2-car units, a power car and driving trailer, coupled back to back. Six trailers will be refurbished and fitted with central door locking to enable them to remain in service until the new Class 4000 units enter service.
The power cars are being overhauled at LH services in Staffordshire and the trailers at York Road works in Belfast
Set 89-733-738-69 remained in service until 24 May 2008
97 was converted to a Sandite spraying vehicle in 2006 and in 2006 and 2007 was used on these duties coupled to 89. On 1 October 2008 97 had a test run with refurbished 82 and this pair are being used for Sandite trains until December 2008
Set 93-754-749-94 has been sporadically on test since 23 July 2008. As of 3 November 2008, it has been reported than regular passenger services have been commenced with this set.
In 2009, 8097 was on Sandite duties again with 8082. During October 2009 while out on Sanditing Duties the engine in 8097 exploded. 8082 struggled with haulling dead 8097 so it was decided to add 8094 to back of the train to help it along.
On the 17th December 2009, a second refurbished 80 class was deployed onto the Larne Line. The current sets on the Larne Line are 8090-8749-8752-8093 and 8094-8754-8747-8082. The third refurbished set is currently stored at York Road and it consists of 8069-8733-8738-8089.
On 26.1.10- 8089 entered passenger service with 8093, 8090 was taken off the set on Saturday 23 January 2010. 8090 is currently being stored at the south end of the south sidding at York Road.
It has been rumoured that 8082 has now been withdrawn from service following from an engine fire. 82 has been fixed and returned to working order after the fire in Larne
In 2011, the entire Class 450 fleet, together with the remaining Class 80 units, was listed by NI Railways for disposal.
The final Class 80 units were withdrawn from passenger service on the 25th September 2011. The 80s class sandite train for the 2012 Winter season - was formed of three power cars and one driving trailer. Winter 2013 sandite train will be done with formed of three power cars and one driving trailer.
Power cars 8069+8094+8090 and driving trailers 8749+8752 are to be overhauled and paint into all yellow livery
Read more about this topic: NIR Class 80