As Members and non Member’s know, every year we commission an exclusive badge which celebrates the railways that once operated across Donegal. This year we are delighted to bring you a very special badge, The Phoenix. Our badges have become in their own right,  a collector’s item for people and those who have an interest in our unique railways, or in the history of this part of Ireland.

This years badge, is the Phoenix which was a rather unique shunter, initially supplied to the Clogher Valley Railway, following a recommendation that an Atkinson-Walker tractor engine would be most suitable for freight workings on the line. No. 114 arrived in January 1929. From the outset it was obvious that the engine was unable to perform its duties and was deficient both in power and in speed. In February 1929, David McClure, chief engineer, reported to the Com­mittee that it was thoroughly unsatisfactory, and in the following month Messrs Atkinson-Walker were asked to take it away. Eager to impress, the makers supplied a larger boiler, with a grate area of 5 square feet and a heating surface of 90 square feet, and sent across two fitters to install it but no significant improvement resulted. By November 1929, the firm were in financial difficulties and in the hands of a receiver, who tried without success to find a purchaser. It had cost the makers £1,200. It appears to have been written off by its owners, and it lay out of use in the Aughnacloy Shed until 1932.

Henry Forbes, Manager of the County Donegal Railway at this time was offered the engine, and duly acquired it, minus boiler, engine, vacuum brake and lighting for £105. The tractor was sent to Dundalk, and fitted with a Gardner 6L2 engine, the cab being enlarged in the process. Numbered 11 in the railcar series, it was given the name Phœnix by Forbes. It was slow, noisy and of limited tractive effort and its duties were largely confined to shunting of goods stock and assisting with customs clearance operations. It survived to the end, by which time it had run up 204,577 miles. It was used for track lifting on the Strabane and Letterkenny Line following which it was moved to the Belfast Transport Museum, (Ulster transport Museum).

This badge not only makes a great gift but also shows your support for our great railway heritage and for the work of Donegal Railway Museum, rescuing, restoring, showcasing, engaging and celebrating this unique part of our culture. The badge is priced at just €8 plus P&P, but is free to all renewing Members (whilst stocks last) from today. We are fortunate to have many members who show their support by taking out annual membership, where it be Individual/Student/OAP or Business Membership.

This striking eye-catching badge is 35mm across, showing the Phoenix in superb detail, right down to its number “11” on its side.  The badge also has two butterfly clutches at the back, to attach it to a garment, etc.  As we learnt from previous year’s badges, as it is a limited edition and exclusive to us, demand is again expected to be strong!

Check out our website shop for our previous badges including Drumboe, Swilly  locomotive No 14, CDR Railcar No 1 badge to name but a few.

Cost: €8 plus €3 for P&P = €11

(Note: This badge is free, whilst stocks last, to renewing Members from July 2023. See “Ways to Support” tab on this website to avail of Membership)