‘JEEP’ HOLDS THE FORT AFTER MERLIN FAILS WITH A HOT BOX
Great Northern Railway (Ireland) Compound No. 85 Merlin is being nursed back to health after running a hot big end on the RPSI’s ‘Shannon and Suir’ railtour. The 4‑4‑0 was failed at Dublin on May 6, after an oil cap came loose between Dundalk and Dublin on the first leg of the tour from Whitehead two days previously, allowing oil to escape from the big end bearing on the middle cylinder. The remaining three days of the tour to Limerick, Waterford, and back to Dublin and Belfast, were handled by LMS‑NCC Class ‘WT’ No. 4, covering almost 500 miles. No. 85 was reassembled in Dublin Connolly shed after the damaged bearing was re‑metalled at Whitehead, and was due to make a running‑in trip between Dublin and Maynooth on June 3. The RPSI was operating a ‘Steam Enterprise’ from Whitehead to Dublin on June 4, with No. 4 booked to haul the first leg. The option was still open to swap the engine in Dublin with No. 85, to return the latter to Whitehead. Steam Dreams’ ‘Emerald Isle Explorer’ will involve both No. 4 and No. 85 in a seven‑day tour, starting on June 15 and taking in Rosslare, Killarney, Westport and Belfast.