Steam travel returns to Dublin after long two-year wait for fans

ANNOUNCING a return to steam after a gap of two years, the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland will be running trains out of Dublin during its heritage railway weekend of May 13-15.

The first train, diesel-hauled, departs Dublin and visits Limerick, Neagh, and Ballybrophy before returning to Dublin.

On May 14, 4-4-0 No. 85 Merlin leaves Dublin with the ‘Province of Leinster’ to Athy, Carlow and Kilkenny and return.

The following day, May 15, No. 85 heads out of Dublin Connolly for a trip through Wexford to Rosslare. It is hoped that the trips will bring muchneeded incomers to the society, whose officials cancelled plans to operate Santa specials out of Dublin last December – whereas sold-out Santa trains ran between Belfast and Whitehead.

Meanwhile, Irish Rail said that work to return a turntable in Tralee will take place this year.

Old steel freight wagons in Casement station are being removed, allowing the track linking to the turntable to be cleared.