Cement Bubbles
Introduced in seven batches between 1964 and 1972, a total of 150 of these two-axle wagons were built by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) to convey bulk loads of cement from Irish Cement’s plants at Drogheda in County Louth, Castlemungret in County Limerick and Platin in County Meath to distribution points throughout the CIÉ/Irish Rail and Northern Ireland Railways’ networks. Despite being introduced at different stages, the fleet carried numbers in an unbroken sequence ranging from 25050 to 25199. Affectionately known as ‘bubbles’ due to their distinctive profile, the majority of the fleet remained in service right up until the cessation of cement traffic by rail in 2009.
At first, the wagons carried an all-over medium grey livery with CIÉ roundels and ‘Bulk Cement’ text on the body sides. In the early 1970s, they were repainted with orange/tan bodies and grey chassis. Later in that decade, they received a further repaint which saw them turned out with ivory bodies and black chassis. This latter livery was carried until withdrawal, although it was often hidden below several layers of cement dust! While wearing this colour scheme, a small number of wagons also received ‘Irish Cement’ branding.
CIE Ivory wagon multi-pack G
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack G 25178 - CIE Ivory 25064 - CIE Ivory 25136 - CIE Ivory Features: Pack of Three Wagons NEM coupling boxe...
View full detailsCIE Grey Cement wagon multi-pack I
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack I 25083VB - CIE Grey 25084VB - CIE Grey 25109VB - CIE Grey Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack E Features: ...
View full detailsCIE Grey Cement wagon multi-pack J
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack J 25069VB - CIE Grey 25159VB - CIE Grey 25187VB - CIE Grey Features: Pack of Three Wagons NEM coupling b...
View full detailsTwo-axle Cement wagon multi-pack F
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack F 25112VB - Tan / Grey 25164VB - Tan / Grey 25107VB - Tan / Grey Features: Pack of Three Wagons NEM coup...
View full detailsTwo-axle Cement wagon multi-pack E
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack E 25111VB - Tan / Grey 25086VB - Tan / Grey 25097VB - Tan / Grey Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack E Featu...
View full detailsTwo-axle Cement wagon multi-pack D
25118 – CIE Logo 25166 – CIE Logo 25178 – CIE Logo
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack C
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack C 25050 - Undetermined Logo 25072 - CIE Logo 25094 - CIE Logo
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack B
Two-axle Cement wagon multi-pack B 25051 - CIE Logo 25078 - CIE Logo 25195 - CIE Logo