RPSI main line steam returns in Northern Ireland
Although society says there will be no Dublin steam this year.
THE first public steam-hauled trains to be operated by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) in almost two years ran on October 30/31, heralding a return to main line operation on the Northern Ireland network.
GNR(I) ‘Q’ 4-4-0 No. 131 had the honour of working the RPSI’s first trains since December 21, 2019, having initially ventured back onto the network on October 2 to work a series of light engine and Empty Coaching Stock
(ECS) runs between Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Greenisland. These trial runs were operated to fully test the society’s Mk.2 stock and reassess crews ahead of the Halloween-themed ‘Wizard’s Express’ runs at the end of October.
For these services No. 131 was scheduled to work two return trips between Belfast Lanyon Place and Whitehead on the Saturday and Sunday, with the loco working the ECS out and back at the beginning and end of each day. The weather was favourable on the Saturday, loadings encouraging and the mood buoyant as the 1901-built 4-4-0 returned to doing what it does best.
Disappointingly, the Sunday’s trains did not go according to plan. The morning service arrived at Whitehead from Lanyon Place as planned, but prior to its return a fault was discovered with the central door locking on the Mk.2s, which resulted in the set being failed. The society’s strong relationship with Translink NI Railways then came into play; the rail operator ferrying passengers back to Belfast on a service train, then laying on a special 3000 Class Railcar to cover the 13.30 BelfastWhitehead ‘Wizard’s Express’, ensuring that those passengers who wished to could still enjoy their planned trip out. The fault with the Mk.2s was eventually rectified during the following week.
The RPSI is now continuing with its preparations for the return of its popular ‘Santa Specials’, which like the Halloween trains will run twice daily between Belfast and Whitehead on December 4/5, 11/12 and 18/19 (subject to confirmation). Again No. 131 is lined up to work these festive services.
However, the situation in the Republic of Ireland is not quite so positive, with the
RPSI’s Dublin Operations team announcing that it will not be running any railtours or ‘Santa Specials’ this year. A statement released by the society said: “After a period of consultations with our volunteers and staff we regret to state that our Dublinbased Santa trains will not be running this year. With ongoing monitoring of the current situation and trends of Covid-19, and with the interest of our volunteers, Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail staff and passengers in mind, we feel that running the Santa trains during this time would pose an unnecessary risk.