RPSI STEAM RETURNS TO DUBLIN:
After a 21-month absence on the Iarnród Éireann Network, steam returned on Sunday, March 13. The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s (RPSI) Great Northern Railway V Class 4-4-0 No. 85 Merlin departed light engine from Dublin Connolly for the M3 Parkway terminus. This light engine movement was part of the ‘return to operations program’ by RPSI. The loco then ran to Platform 3 Clonsilla bay platform and is believed to be the first steam locomotive to arrive at the platform before returning to M3 Parkway before travelling back to Dublin Connolly Loco Shed. Later that afternoon, No. 85 is seen departing Dublin Connolly Platform 4 for Maynooth at 13.34, four minutes late. Despite repeated signal checks, Maynooth was reached at 14.14, just six minutes late before returning. The first public trains, ‘The Midlander’ were due to run on March 26 and 27 to Maynooth.