Tour to offer loco haulage on Western Rail Corridor

THE Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) has announced its latest diesel railtour, which will run on June 11.

Originally called ‘The Blue Thunder’, as it was planned to use NIR’s 111 Class No. 8112 Northern Counties, it had to be renamed the ‘Shades of Grey’ after No. 8112 became unavailable due to technical reasons and the tour will now feature two IÉ 071 Class locos instead.

The first loco will haul the RPSI’s Craven set from Dublin Connolly at 09.00 to Cork with a pick up at Portarlington plus brief stops at Ballybrophy and Limerick Junction for photographs.

From Cork, the tour runs express to Limerick via Limerick Junction, then the second 071 Class will take over for the return via the Western Rail Corridor with photo stops at Ennis, Gort and on to Athenry. At Athenry, it will return to Dublin Connolly via Athlone and Portarlington (set down).

The RPSI offered a refund for those no longer wishing to travel after No. 8112 was taken off, but added: “We hope that many of you will still travel with us on this special railtour which will be taking in the Western Rail Corridor as well as being hauled by the freight-only 071 Class throughout.”

RICHARD WALL On May 5, NIR 111 Class No. 8112 Northern Counties hauled RPSI-owned and former IE Class 141 No. B141 and GNR V Class 4-4-0 compound No. 85 Merlin from Connolly shed to Inchicore Works for the 175 anniversary celebration (see also Headline News page 9). It is seen passing the Twin Arches near Glasnevin.