…But Táilte Tours starts up

A NEW voluntary-led group, aiming to raise funds and awareness for Ireland’s smaller railway heritage groups is to run its first railtour on August 20, using rare diesel traction. Named ‘The Premier Rose’, it presents a very rare opportunity to travel on the scenic Kerry branch line to Killarney and Tralee on a locomotive-worked train.

The train will be comprised of Iarnród Éireann Mk.4 coaching stock, which normally only operates on

Dublin-Cork services. The railtour departs Dublin Connolly at 10.00 and will offer passengers the option of five hours in Killarney or three hours in Tralee. Any profits raised will be donated to a selection of Irish heritage railway groups.

Motive power will be provided by a member of the 201 Class GM diesel locomotives. Since the takeover of most long-distance Iarnród Éireann services by Intercity Railcars in the late 2000s, these locomotives have generally only seen passenger use on Dublin-Belfast and a portion of Dublin-Cork services, even railtour use being very uncommon. Thus, this is a rare chance to travel behind a 201 Class on one of the branch lines.

Tickets for this tour can be booked online at www.tailtetours.com and First and Standard Class options are available.