RPSI’S MAIN LINE TRIO READY FOR A BUSY SUMMER

All three RPSI main line steam locomotives were ready to go at the start of May, as the Society geared up for the busiest part of the summer season. The RPSI’s own ‘Shannon & Suir’ tour from Whitehead to Limerick and Waterford was set to operate on May 6/7, using LMS-NCC ‘WT’ 2-6-4T No. 4 and GNR(I) Compound 4-4-0 No. 85. On May 28 the Society will be running 170th anniversary specials on the Dublin-Howth branch, but it is not certain whether No. 4 or Dublin & South Eastern Railway ‘Mogul’ No. 461 will be in charge. On Easter Monday, both Nos. 4 and 461 were in steam at Dublin Connolly shed, but it was decided on the day to use the stronger and more reliable 2-6-4T. However, the RPSI has carried out a number of modifications to No. 461 to improve its steaming. Peter Scott of the RPSI locomotive department said: “Among the adjustments made was a modification to the blastpipe. One issue was that we have only the original general arrangement drawing for this locomotive. “The original blastpipe was missing when we took delivery, so we don’t know what the exact diameter was when the engine was last in service in the early 1960s.” No. 85 is to receive attention to its high-pressure gland in advance of the ‘Shannon & Suir’. Plans for a ‘Portrush Flyer’ on April 30 were scrubbed, primarily because of crewing issues. The Portrush branch cabin has closed, and the six-mile spur operates on a ‘one engine in steam’ basis - meaning that for a special, the ground frame has to be manned and the engine has to carry a pilotman.