RPSI train movements

Losty Dublin

Sunday 7th August sees the RPSI running a charter train from Malahide to Wicklow. The train departs 10:35, arriving back at 16:35. Although this is a private charter a very limited number of tickets has become available.

Tickets are on sale from Malahide Station, contact RPSI (01 480 0553) during normal office hours; €35 a ticket or a Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) €110. You can also download an application form http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/downloads/events/2011_DAOC_summer_form.pdf and forward it to the RPSI; the postal address is on the form.

There is also a local shuttle service from Wicklow to Arklow; prices are €11 and can be booked via the phone number above or by the application form.

All the proceeds are being donated to the Ross Nugent Foundation to provide enhanced facilities in the Oncology Unit Beaumont Hospital.

Niles

Not a passenger working but for the benefit of any photographers out there, No.186 will run light engine from Whitehead to Connolly on Tuesday 2nd August.

Outline times for the IÉ leg:

Dundalk 12:41
Drogheda 13:20
Malahide 13:57
Connolly 14:16

Cookie_Monster

6th and 7th Aug there will also be a model railways exhibition in the town hall in Dun laoghaire

Niles

Losty Dublin wrote: »

There is also a local shuttle service from Wicklow to Arklow; prices are €11 and can be booked via the phone number above or by the application form.

Tickets for the Wicklow-Arklow local trip are now sold out.

The train will consist of No.186 hauling the RPSI Cravens carriages.

Hilly Bill

Niles wrote: »

Not a passenger working but for the benefit of any photographers out there, No.186 will run light engine from Whitehead to Connolly on Tuesday 2nd August.

Outline times for the IÉ leg:

Dundalk 12:41
Drogheda 13:20
Malahide 13:57
Connolly 14:16

Its passed me, i took a video of it on my phone.

Niles

Next working out of Dublin is scheduled to be a private charter to Mullingar and back on Sunday 28th August. As it's a private charter tickets are not available to the public but photographers may be interested.

Rud

Niles wrote: »

Next working out of Dublin is scheduled to be a private charter to Mullingar and back on Sunday 28th August. As it's a private charter tickets are not available to the public but photographers may be interested.

Could someone post up the times for this train,here,whenever they become available?

Niles

Rud wrote: »

Could someone post up the times for this train,here,whenever they become available?

Don't have confirmed times on hand, will have them nearer the date. However, standard course for a Mullingar run is to leave Dublin circa 9:15-9:30, back in the evening around 17:30.

Niles

Operations in the next month:

28th August (Sun) Trinity Charter, Pearse-Mullingar-return. steam 186.

8th September (Thurs) GM hauled mkIIs. Whitehead-Belfast-Dublin (one way).

9th September (Fri) 071 hauled "Silvermines" diesel tour. Connolly-Ballybrophy-all Nenagh branch stations-Limerick-direct curve-Connolly.

10th September "Province of Leinster" International railtour. Connolly-Kilkenny-rtn. steam 186.
11th September "Province of Leinster" International railtour. Connolly-M3 Parkway-Docklands-Mullingar-Connolly. steam 186.
12th September "Province of Leinster" International railtour. Connolly-Belfast-Whitehead (one way). steam 186.

Niles

Rud wrote: »

Could someone post up the times for this train,here,whenever they become available?

The ECS is due to run from Connolly to Pearse at 9:05. The actual charter is leaving Pearse @ 10, arriving at Mullingar @ 12. Return departure from Mullingar @ 15:40 for an 18:00 arrival at Pearse. The train will return ECS to Connolly afterwards.

The ECS will likely use the unused platform at Grand Canal Dock to run around though on occasion Pearse running loop has been used for this purpose so although it's likely it's not 100% guaranteed.

Niles

There will be another diesel hauled "Mystery Train" from Dublin on 1st October. Details on tickets will be posted in due course.

It's going to Sligo via Tuam and Kiltimagh!

dermo88

Surely Niles, with that spoiler you mean April 1st 2012.

Or is Jeremy Clarkson bringing over the Pavee Point Privatisation test train over from the Great Central in England after regauging and consultation with Mr Brian Guckian of sustainable transport Ireland?

Niles

THE MYSTERY TRAIN

Saturday 1st October

Treat yourself to a diesel trip in vintage carriages from the early 1960s.

It's 40 years since the last Mystery Train ran in Ireland, that is apart from the one operated in July by the Society. The latter proved so popular that it is being repeated. And, as it's a mystery, it may be the same destination as before – or maybe not!

Depart Dublin Connolly Station 10:30. Back at 18:55.

Fare: Adults €40, Seniors & Under 16s €30.

Tickets on sale at:

Pearse Station, Westland Row.
EBS Offices at Drumcondra, Malahide and Dun Laoghaire.

Postal Booking Form link


Also, there is some footage on the website of former DSER 2-6-0 No.461 moving for the first time in a over a decade following her long overhaul. Link

Salmon Leap

Great to see 461 again looking in great condition! Was really looking forward to seeing her on the Dublin Santa Specials this year (originally on the RPSI website, they had 186 rostered for Belfast and 461 for Dublin), but the loco field on the schedule is now blank :-(

CIE

Niles wrote: »

Postal Booking Form link

Also, there is some footage on the website of former DSER 2-6-0 No.461 moving for the first time in a over a decade following her long overhaul. Link

Forty years since the last mystery train? Then why do I remember riding mystery trains in the latter half of the 1970s...? or do they mean "steam-powered mystery train" or suchlike?

Losty Dublin

CIE wrote: »

Forty years since the last mystery train? Then why do I remember riding mystery trains in the latter half of the 1970s...? or do they mean "steam-powered mystery train" or suchlike?

RPSI ones, perhaps. CIE ran mystery trains of their own back in the day.

Losty Dublin

Salmon Leap wrote: »

Great to see 461 again looking in great condition! Was really looking forward to seeing her on the Dublin Santa Specials this year (originally on the RPSI website, they had 186 rostered for Belfast and 461 for Dublin), but the loco field on the schedule is now blank :-(

461 will be here for the Santa trips; trust me on this

lord lucan

461 looks strange in CIE green. Initially looked a bit wrong but i'm coming around to it now. Can't wait to see her back in traffic.

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/locomotives/loco461.htm

Cookie_Monster

they should swap the tenders between 186 & 461; 461's looks to low for her and 186's looks to bulky for her...

(never mind the technicalities )

Losty Dublin

Some video action from the Docklands and Clonsilla arm of the RPSI trip; there is some wind noise in these clips but it's worth it as IMHO they are gems

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB9tLzzNbeY&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF64n4JdXEc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

steamengine

Last Thursday on Capital D, RTE 1 it was announced that the programme next Thursday 22nd @ 7pm would contain a piece about 'steam trains' in Dublin Docklands.

steamengine

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Some video action from the Docklands and Clonsilla arm of the RPSI trip; there is some wind noise in these clips but it's worth it as IMHO they are gems

Gems indeed - the gullet is a rarity, (or may be not ???). Many years ago I used to do a semi-regular commute to Clonsilla. The train usually took the other route, but on one occasion it went via the gullet and it was truly fascinating.

Losty Dublin

steamengine wrote: »

Gems indeed - the gullet is a rarity, (or may be not ???). Many years ago I used to do a semi-regular commute to Clonsilla. The train usually took the other route, but on one occasion it went via the gullet and it was truly fascinating.

The last steam train to work up the gullet was 461 on a Santa some years ago when CTC sent it via Newcomen as a joke. The last steam working out of the freight yard was an special from Spencer Dock that actually ran 40 years ago to the day of the RPSI trip. It's loco that day was also 186.

lord lucan

steamengine wrote: »

Gems indeed - the gullet is a rarity, (or may be not ???). Many years ago I used to do a semi-regular commute to Clonsilla. The train usually took the other route, but on one occasion it went via the gullet and it was truly fascinating.

Used to go to and from Leixlip to Connolly via Newcomen Jct a lot in the late 80's/early 90's when that was the standard routing for Maynooth line commuter trains. Trains left Platform 7 and you used the old commuter entrance on Amiens St.

I think Eiretrains had a video somewhere with a bit of GM thrash on an RPSI special through the gullet. Savage sound.:)

Edit: Apologies,wasn't Eiretrains. It was this one i was thinking of from last years best of both tour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn6spGce4pw

CIE

lord lucan wrote: »

Used to go to and from Leixlip to Connolly via Newcomen Jct a lot in the late 80's/early 90's when that was the standard routing for Maynooth line commuter trains. Trains left Platform 7 and you used the old commuter entrance on Amiens St.

In the early 80s, trains alternated between both routes; didn't appear to be timetabled as to which one was to be used. This would even be in either direction; I'd rarely use the train into town, but on the few occasions I did ride it in, it'd climb up the Newcomen grade into Platform 7.

Losty Dublin

CIE wrote: »

In the early 80s, trains alternated between both routes; didn't appear to be timetabled as to which one was to be used. This would even be in either direction; I'd rarely use the train into town, but on the few occasions I did ride it in, it'd climb up the Newcomen grade into Platform 7.

It was used to relieve the main Sligo line back then as far as Glasnevin Junction. Back then the lines from the docks were very busy with freight traffic which would need access to the line towards Heuston so routing some passenger services up the gullet allowed both lines to be used at once.

steamengine

BTW I've requested the 071 Class thread be shifted over to TRS as it's lost in C&T - contains brilliant videos of the 071's including Newcomen Jct - courtesy of Eiretrains.

Thread has arrived, thanks Mods - posts no74 Newcomen Jct & post no79 Tara Mines !!!

Niles

This evening's episode of Capital D included a feature on the RPSI's visit to Docklands and M3 Parkway, along with the minature railway at Marley Park. It's on RTÉ Player till October 13th. Link. The segment begins at 0:07:02.

Losty Dublin

Some handsome, virile and wonderful carriage stewards on those RPSI trips, I must say. On my carriage especially

Salmon Leap

Losty Dublin wrote: »

461 will be here for the Santa trips; trust me on this

Hope you are right!

Losty Dublin

Salmon Leap wrote: »

Hope you are right!

I sure am; she had her boiler ticket officially passed out a few weeks ago and is pending a few training runs in the coming days. Rumour has it that she may make an appearance on the Belfast Broomstick Belle; she may also have a few empty workings around the Dublin area before December for the Irish Rail crew to get to grips with her but that's just it, a rumour

Salmon Leap

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I sure am; she had her boiler ticket officially passed out a few weeks ago and is pending a few training runs in the coming days. Rumour has it that she may make an appearance on the Belfast Broomstick Belle; she may also have a few empty workings around the Dublin area before December for the Irish Rail crew to get to grips with her but that's just it, a rumour

Great stuff, LD! Any way of finding out if/when the training runs are? Would love to get a few shots of her.;)

Losty Dublin

Salmon Leap wrote: »

Great stuff, LD! Any way of finding out if/when the training runs are? Would love to get a few shots of her.;)

If I knew that I'd be doing well myself!

It won't be easy to plan as the two steam drivers are based in Dublin and Cork respectively so shifts will be hard to plan out. But if I do hear of anything I will let you know

Niles

Here's one run confirmed for 2012. AFAIK this is the first visit of a steam loco to Howth since before the DART opened.

‘The Spare Link’

A special excursion to mark the retirement and acknowledge the assistance over the years to the RPSI of driver Dan Renehan.

Dublin - Dunboyne - Rosslare - Wexford on Saturday 24th March 2012
Wexford - Wicklow - Howth - Dublin on Sunday 25th March 2012

A two-day, steam hauled event featuring the recently re-opened line to Dunboyne, the scenic Dublin and South Eastern line along the East Coast and a return to steam on the Howth branch.

Tickets: €70/£60

Outline times are:
Saturday: Depart Dublin Connolly 09:50
Sunday: Arrive Dublin Connolly 15:55

Booking Form link

Also, the May tour is now confirmed as taking place from Saturday 12th May to Monday 14th May, preceded by a diesel trip on Friday 11th May.

Niles

The provisional 2012 program is now online. Should be something for everyone.

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/events/

flyingsnail

Details of the International tour are now online.

Thursday 10th May: Steam-hauled carriage positioning train Belfast to Dublin.
Friday 11th May: Diesel railtour - Dublin Connolly to Portrush (requested) and return.
Saturday 12th May: Dublin Connolly - Athenry – Ennis.
Sunday 13th May: Ennis - Limerick - Nenagh - Ballybrophy - Dublin Connolly.
Monday 14th May: Dublin Connolly - Belfast – Whitehead.
Tuesday 15th May: Coach tour from Belfast.

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/downloads/events/2012SouthClare_ABF.pdf

Losty Dublin

An excellent tour for sure from the RPSI.

The diesel day is definitely going to sell out fast given that it's the first diesel loco train to go north of Belfast in donkey years. The trip to Ennis via the WRC will be special as will the return trip via the Limerick mainline and onwards to Dublin; I'll be booking my seat soon for it

Salmon Leap

Re:Spare Link tour

Quick question:
Is there a facility to turn a steam engine at Wexford or will she have to run bunker-first back to Dublin?

lord lucan

Salmon Leap wrote: »

Re:Spare Link tour

Quick question:
Is there a facility to turn a steam engine at Wexford or will she have to run bunker-first back to Dublin?

There's a turntable at Rosslare Harbour where she can be turned.

Niles

Diesel fans, a date for your diaries, there will be the "171 For 171" special from Dublin to Cork and back on Saturday 21st April. Booking details, tickets, etc, will be confirmed in due course.

Cookie_Monster

Niles wrote: »

Diesel fans, a date for your diaries, there will be the "171 For 171" special from Dublin to Cork and back on Saturday 21st April. Booking details, tickets, etc, will be confirmed in due course.

what's the 171 for? Ie what does the name relate to? 171 is the only 141 class in use isn't it? is it the mile distance?

Eiretrains

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

what's the 171 for? Ie what does the name relate to? 171 is the only 141 class in use isn't it? is it the mile distance?

That's the million dollar question, I actually don't know myself:D

flyingsnail

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

what's the 171 for? Ie what does the name relate to? 171 is the only 141 class in use isn't it? is it the mile distance?

Eiretrains wrote: »

That's the million dollar question, I actually don't know myself:D

As far as I know its the mile distance.

Losty Dublin

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Niles wrote: »

Diesel fans, a date for your diaries, there will be the "171 For 171" special from Dublin to Cork and back on Saturday 21st April. Booking details, tickets, etc, will be confirmed in due course.

what's the 171 for? Ie what does the name relate to? 171 is the only 141 class in use isn't it? is it the mile distance?

The trip is to raise funds, not for GM locos but this 171 is ex GNR Sliabh Gullion, which is hoped to be next for reintroduction back to the mainline. The trip from Pearse to Cork Kent is 171 miles, hence 171 for 171

Niles

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The trip is to raise funds, not for GM locos but this 171 is ex GNR Sliabh Gullion, which is hoped to be next for reintroduction back to the mainline. The trip from Pearse to Cork Kent is 171 miles, hence 171 for 171

Imagine if it was being run to raise funds for 800... not even if sure if that could be done in one day!
No.4 on the other hand... two return trips from Connolly to Pearse would cover it!

Losty Dublin

Niles wrote: »

Imagine if it was being run to raise funds for 800... not even if sure if that could be done in one day!
No.4 on the other hand... two return trips from Connolly to Pearse would cover it!

Is there even 800 miles of passenger track left on the network? Ould Wesley would need a lot of sandwiches for that one if we tried it

Niles

From the latest RPSI email bulletin:

STOP PRESS

Demand has been very high for the “Spare Link” railtour and the initial train allocation is now full.

The railtour team are discussing with the locomotive and carriage departments as to whether more seats can be made available.

Any further bookings received will be placed on a waiting list for these seats, should they become available. Intending participants will be advised of availability at the end of February.

Please ensure your booking form includes a contact telephone number.

Niles

First Dublin steam outing of the year...

MAYNOOTH SHUTTLE

Saturday 3rd March

Shake off those winter blues - two trains will operate from Dublin Pearse station to Maynooth for No.461 driver familiarisation.

Train 1: Departs 10:30am
Train 2: Departs 02:00pm

Fares: Adults €10, Children €5.

Booking form:

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/downloads/events/2012DAOC.pdf

Tickets available soon from:

EBS Offices at Malahide, Drumcondra and Dun Laoghaire.
Irish Rail, Pearse Station.

Losty Dublin

Niles wrote: »

First Dublin steam outing of the year...

And, the first public steam train out of Dublin in over a year; the September tour excluded as it's more of a gricers ball.

flyingsnail

The booking form for the 171 for 171 Diesel railtour is now online. Dublin Pearse to Cork return

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/171/

As part of the fund raising campaign for the restoration of RPSI flagship locomotive
No.171 “Slieve Gullion”, a special diesel hauled railtour has been organised from Dublin to
Cork and return.

The “171 For 171” railtour, 171 miles in each direction, will feature the RPSI Cravens set
and requested 071 class motive power. There will be several photographic stops along the
mainline to Cork and then a non-stop return journey back to Dublin.

There will be over 3½ hours of free time in Cork city, giving plenty of time to explore Cork
City or to take a journey on the railways of east Cork to Midleton and Cobh.

There will be a full bar and snack car available throughout the day.

All money raised from this railtour will go directly to the restoration of locomotive No.171
“Slieve Gullion”. This locomotive is one of our most useful locomotives, with widespread
route availability and the ability to haul our heaviest trains, No.171 is vital to the
continued operation of our steam operations.

Outline times are:
Outward: Dublin Pearse 09:45, Cork 13:20
Return: Cork 17:10, Dublin Pearse 20:00

Niles

From the latest news bulletin:

MAYNOOTH SHUTLLE

3rd March

All tickets for the afternoon train (2pm) have now been booked.

Some tickets remain for the morning (10:30am) train.