More Irish steam trips scheduled

AS reported last issue, the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland announced its first steam trips for more than two years, with trains running out of Dublin during its May 13-15 Heritage Railway Weekend.

Since then, the society has publicised a series of steam and diesel-hauled tours from Dublin, utilising the railway’s 4-4-0 compound No. 85 Merlin and General Motors Class 141 diesels.

On Saturday, March 26, ‘The Midlander’ makes two trips to Maynooth and return, with repeats on the Sunday – all four trains worked by No.85 reported as being fully booked.

Meanwhile, three murder mystery dinner and drama evenings have been arranged to take place at Whitehead on March 11, 18 and 25.

On Saturday, March 19, steam train rides within the confines of Whitehead engineering lines will feature Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST No. 1152 of 1919 Guinness. Apart from March 19, these events have been declared sold out!

April 2 sees a diesel-hauled ‘East to West’ departure from Dublin scheduled to run via the Skerries Loop to Dundalk, picking up at Drogheda and then returning to Dublin.

Steam returns on April 16-17 when 4-4-0 No. 131 heads two ‘Easter Eggspress’ departures from Belfast to Whitehead.

On April 18, Easter Monday,

No. 85 heads a series of ‘Easter Eggstravaganza’ trips from Dublin to Drogheda, Droghed to Dundalk and return, Drogheda to Skerries and return, and Drogheda to Dublin.