‘Jeep’ to break radio silence for 2017
The RPSI’s Class WT 2-6-4T No. 4 is expected to be out of action for around two months while an Irish Rail train radio is installed. The radio will facilitate communication between Irish Rail’s Centralised Traffic Control and the footplate inspector, superseding the use of mobile phones. The positioning of the new kit will involve the relocation of some of the recently fitted footplate AWS and TPWS equipment, which makes the job more complicated. The ‘Jeep’ arrived back at Whitehead on January 8 for the work to be carried out. It is the first time since August 2015 that it has been back at the RPSI’s headquarters, having been based at Dublin Connolly for operating in the Republic. There is no indication so far as to whether the second Dublin-based locomotive, 2-6-0 No. 461, will require similar equipment, or whether the measure will apply to 4-4-0 No. 85 Merlin. After a ‘Santa’ season which attracted more than 5,800 passengers, the Dublin Area Operations Committee is making plans for 2017. The first trip of the year is likely to be on March 19, when No. 461 is programmed to haul ‘The Midlander’ from Dublin to Maynooth. Plans are then in hand for Easter Monday ‘Dublin Riviera’ specials, also with No. 461, from Dublin to Greystones on April 17. If No. 4 is back in Dublin by then, it will be rostered for a special on April 30 from Dublin to Tullamore, with a local trip from there to Athlone. If No. 4 is still receiving attention, No. 461 will instead operate from Dublin to Drogheda with two local trips to Skerries.