RPSI and Steam Dreams Tour

flyingsnail

This may be of interest to the photographers and enthusiasts out there. As always the times and operations may be subject to change

***********************
Thursday 18th June

RPSI Mk2s + NIR GM
Dublin Connolly: 11:20
Dundalk:12:35
Portadown: 13:10
Belfast Central: 13:47

RPSI Mk2 + 85
Belfast Central: 19:05
Dublin Connolly: (I am not sure of arrival time yet)

************

Friday 19th June

RPSI 461 Light Engine
Dublin Connolly: 07:45
Kildare: 08:58
Portarlington:09:14

RPSI 85 +Cravens
Dublin Connolly: 08:40
Kildare: 09:37
Portarlington 09:51

At Portarlington there will be a loco change with 461 taking the Cravens on to Galway and 85 proceeding light engine to Limerick.

RPSI 461 + Cravens
Portarlington: 10:27
Tullamore: 10:52 - 11:02
Clara: 11:15 - 11:22
Athlone: 11:57 - 14:20
Ballinasloe: 14:46 - 15:09
Woodlawn: 15:33 - 15:38
Athenry: 16:01
Galway 16:26

RPSI 85 Light engine
Portarlington: 10:10
Thurles: 11:04 - 11:42
Limerick Junction : 12:08 (I believe it will enter the station so it can turn)
Limerick : 12:49
 
***************
Saturday 20th June
There is no Steam operations on this day
***************

Sunday 21st June

RPSI 461 + Cravens
Galway: 09:40
Athenry: 10:00 - 10:33
Gort: 10:59 - 11:11
Ennis: 11:36
Limerick 12:33

In Limerick a loco change will take place with 85 taking over for the journey to Killarney and 461 remains in Limerick

RPSI 85 + Cravens
Limerick: 14:30
Limerick Junction: 15:05
Mallow: 15:51 - 16:43
Banteer: 16:57
Millstreet: 17:08
Rathmore: 17:17
Killarney: 17:40

*****************

Monday 22nd June


RPSI 85 + Cravens
Killarney: 15:45
Farranfore: 16:12
Tralee: 16:30 - 18:20
Farranfore: 18:37 - 18:42
Killarney: 19:12


*************************
 
Tuesday 23rd June

RPSI 461 Light Engine
Limerick: 10:00
Limerick Junction:10:39


RPSI 85 + Cravens
Killarney: 08:45
Banteer: 09:32 - 09:50
Mallow: 10:10
Charleville: 10:32 - 11:09
Limerick Junction: 11:43

At Limerick Junction a loco change will happen with 461 taking the Cravens on to Waterford via Tipperary and 85 will continue on to Kilkenny via Kildare light engine

RPSI 461 + Cravens
Limerick Junction: 12:04
Tipperary: 12:19 - 12:49
Clonmel: 13:26 - 13:56
Carrick on Suir: 14:27
Waterford: 15:00

RPSI 85 Light Engine
Limerick Junction: 11:59
Thurles: 12:28 - 12:58
Portarlington: 13:53 - 14:20
Kildare: 14:36 - 14:47
Athy: 15:11 - 15:38
Carlow: 15:56 - 16:20
Muine Bheag: 16:37
Kilkenny: 17:01

*********************
 

Wednesday 24th June

RPSI 461 + Cravens
Waterford: 11:25
Ballyhale: 11:49 - 12:04
Thomastown: 12:13
Kilkenny: 12:34

At Kilkenny a loco change will take place with 461 proceeding light engine back to Dublin Connolly followed by 85 with the Cravens

RPSI 461 Light engine
Kilkenny: 13:47
Muine Bheag: 14:22 - 14:27
Carlow: 14:42
Athy: 14:58 - 15:18
Kildare: 15:41
Dublin Connolly: 16:36

RPSI 85 + Cravens
Kilkenny: 15:50
Muine Bheag: 16:13 - 16:21
Carlow: 16:35
Athy: 16:48 - 17:36
Kildare: 18:00
Dublin Connolly: 19:07

savagethegoat

Tuesdays schedule appears to show the loco +Cravens leaving Lim Jinc before it arrives

12 04 vs 10 04 i assume

flyingsnail

savagethegoat wrote: »

uesdays schedule appears to show the loco +Cravens leaving Lim Jinc before it arrives

12 04 vs 10 04 i assume

Correct, I have fixed it now, thanks

Thedarkb

hell yeah, double whammy of kettles, will there be an 071 at any point to lift the coaches?

flyingsnail

Thedarkb wrote: »

hell yeah, double whammy of kettles, will there be an 071 at any point to lift the coaches?

Possible in Limerick and Connolly but no guarantee

Thedarkb

flyingsnail wrote: »

Possible in Limerick and Connolly but no guarantee

Will it be stopping in ballyhale to allow a train to pass?

Jamie2k9

Thedarkb wrote: »

Will it be stopping in ballyhale to allow a train to pass?

Yes

Thedarkb

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Yes

Hmm..... should i shoot it there or in derrynahinch

Jamie2k9

Thedarkb wrote: »

Hmm..... should i shoot it there or in derrynahinch

As it will be stoped for 13-15 minutes, you may get more/better shots.

flyingsnail

An update to the times above for Thursday 18th of June.

RPSI Mk2s + NIR GM
Whitehead: 06:00
Belfast Central: 06:35
Portadown: 07:34
Dundalk: 08:15 - 09:35
Dublin Connolly: 10:58

RPSI Mk2s + NIR GM
Dublin Connolly: 11:20
Dundalk:12:35
Portadown: 13:10
Belfast Central: 13:47
York Road: 14:07

NIR GM Light Engine
York Road: 17:50
Belfast Central: 18:15
Portadown:18:55
Dundalk: 19:30
Dublin Connolly: 20:30

RPSI Mk2 + 85
York Road: 18:05
Belfast Central: 18:17 - 19:05
Portadown: 19:40
Dundalk: 20:23 - 20:50
Dublin Connolly: 22:00

RPSI Mk2s + NIR GM
Dublin Connolly: 22:20
Dundalk: 23:19
Portadown: 23:53
Belfast Central: 00:30
Whitehead: 00:55

TBirdFrank

There is usually a water stop at Lisburn on Belfast - Dublin workings - is this avoided by taking water during that layover at Belfast Central?

After riding two of the last three workings over the border I have decided to treat myself to some linesiding for the steam between Belfast and Dublin and Dublin and Galway.

Any hints???

Newry looks unmissable from the train!

flyingsnail

TBirdFrank wrote: »

There is usually a water stop at Lisburn on Belfast - Dublin workings - is this avoided by taking water during that layover at Belfast Central?

After riding two of the last three workings over the border I have decided to treat myself to some linesiding for the steam between Belfast and Dublin and Dublin and Galway.

Any hints???

Newry looks unmissable from the train!

I dont believe there will be a water stop at Lisburn, but it is always available if required. Most Belfast - Dublin workings originate from Whitehead which adds extra mileage to the journey necessitating the extra water stop, this trip will originate from York Road.

flyingsnail

Update for Thursday 25th June

RPSI 85 Light Engine

Dublin Connolly: 12:15
Dundalk: 13:30
Portadown: 14:13 -14:20
Lisburn: 14:49 - 15:05
Belfast Central: 15:27
Whitehead: 16:12

TBirdFrank

Excellent first two days - wish I could have stayed longer, but I have other engagements. Aren't Irish motorway tolls a nuisance - especially when you don't know you have incurred one!

Just need to find a mountain overview near Newry next time. The viaduct was good but it was a mountain view I really came over for

Captain Chaos

Which NIR GM worked the tour, 111 or 113? I was hoping to see some photos posted with 111 after it's overhaul if it's finished yet.

savagethegoat

TBirdFrank wrote: »

Excellent first two days - wish I could have stayed longer, but I have other engagements. Aren't Irish motorway tolls a nuisance - especially when you don't know you have incurred one!

Just need to find a mountain overview near Newry next time. The viaduct was good but it was a mountain view I really came over for

If you are in a UK car, you are good to go. (unless it;s a rental)....It's only the M50 toll works this way, all others have gates

flyingsnail

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Which NIR GM worked the tour, 111 or 113? I was hoping to see some photos posted with 111 after it's overhaul if it's finished yet.

111 worked the morning ECS as far as Poyntzpass where it failed, 112 then hauled the set + 111 to york road. The morning run from Connolly to Belfast with the mk 2s was canceled but 112 did work light engine to Connolly to haul the mk 2s back to whitehead after they were brought down by 85 (steam)

savagethegoat

flyingsnail wrote: »

Update for Thursday 25th June

RPSI 85 Light Engine

Dublin Connolly: 12:15
Dundalk: 13:30
Portadown: 14:13 -14:20
Lisburn: 14:49 - 15:05
Belfast Central: 15:27
Whitehead: 16:12

Have you a aschedule for tomorrow? someone in Banteer claimed it would be in Banteer tomorrow about 11am wheras aI thought it was headed for Tralee

flyingsnail

savagethegoat wrote: »

Have you a aschedule for tomorrow? someone in Banteer claimed it would be in Banteer tomorrow about 11am wheras aI thought it was headed for Tralee

The only planned movement I know about for tomorrow is from Killarney to Tralee and return, wont be passing through Banteer again until Tuesday

Monday 22nd June


RPSI 85 + Cravens
Killarney: 15:45
Farranfore: 16:12
Tralee: 16:30 - 18:20
Farranfore: 18:37 - 18:42
Killarney: 19:12

savagethegoat

Light engine move to Lim Junc to turn apparently. Banteer 11.04 and 14.57

flyingsnail

savagethegoat wrote: »

Light engine move to Lim Junc to turn apparently. Banteer 11.04 and 14.57

apologies, you are correct .

Thedarkb

I know it's limited to 60, but how fast can merlin go?

TBirdFrank

I have put pictures from my two days up on the "Lensmen" forum but as it is a private group they may not be accessible to all.

I have no access to Nat Pres as its owners and I do NOT get on so I can't post there - annoyingly - but c'est la vie eh?

BeardySi

Thedarkb wrote: »

I know it's limited to 60, but how fast can merlin go?

It is? 60 seems an awful lot faster behind a steam loco in that case!

savagethegoat

A few pics here

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/corktina/library/Emerald%20Isle%20Express%202015

Thedarkb

Treadhead wrote: »

It is? 60 seems an awful lot faster behind a steam loco in that case!

Something tells me they might not adhear to the limit :P

Thedarkb

Welp, 461 failed in mullinavat but was fixed by the crew and went through ballyhale tender first and late. Upon saying to the crew "I was surprised to see it tender first" they replied, "So were we". Upon arrival in kilkenny a coaling issue was discovered, or should i say the lack of it and coal had to be brought in from marble city fuels and was loaded in the goods siding. Merlin slipped badly on departure. Pics to follow after i process the film.

TBirdFrank

Is there a "grapevine" to keep us up to date with Steam Dreams 2016 tour??

There look to be some splendid photography and video opportunities but I would not want to put too much money up front and find it's a non runner.

And yes - I am a paying customer on the Croagh Patrick Tour!

flyingsnail

TBirdFrank wrote: »

Is there a "grapevine" to keep us up to date with Steam Dreams 2016 tour??

There look to be some splendid photography and video opportunities but I would not want to put too much money up front and find it's a non runner.

And yes - I am a paying customer on the Croagh Patrick Tour!

What information are you looking for?, detailed info like I posted in the OP wont be available until much closer to the actual date.

TBirdFrank

Not too worried about absolute detail - but given the raitour situation this side of the water, confirmation that it's a runner will allow me to lock details into place.

I have booked hotels that will take cost free cancellations - but I don't want to commit the ferry fare unless I am certain that this is a runner first.

All and any help would be much appreciated - and there's plenty of time to do it yet!

Thanks in advance

Frank

flyingsnail

As of now it is still a runner, just the finer details have yet to be set in stone.

TBirdFrank

After letting the existence of this tour become known amongst friends, one of them who must have a good size wad to burn has booked up - so I will be quite happy to contribute anything he hears as a customer.


Between us we should have a good understanding!

flyingsnail

Here you go folks, times for anybody interested. As always subject to changes / alterations ect

Thursday 16th June
Steam loco 461 + Cravens
Connolly 14:08
Dun Laoghaire 14:27
Bray 14:48
Greystones 14:57
Wicklow 15:13 – 15:28
Rathdrum 15:49
Arklow 16:06
Gorey 16:33 – 16:37
Enniscorthy 17:01
Wexford 17:25 – 17:4
Rosslare Strand 18:01 – 18:11
Rosslare Europort 18:20

Diesel Loco + Cravens
Rosslare Europort 19:05
Rosslare Strand 19:12 – 19:21
Wexford 19:37 – 19:40
Enniscorthy 20:04 – 20:44
Gorey 21:05
Arklow 21:16
Wicklow 21:43
Greystones 21:54
Bray 22:03
Dun Laoghaire 22:19
Connolly 22:42

Steam Loco 461 Light Engine
Rosslare Europort 19:35
Rosslare Strand 19:42
Wexford 20:04

Steam Loco 4 Light Engine
Connolly 07:55
Islandbridge jctn 08:10
Newbridge 09:00
Kildare 09:10 – 09:42
Athy 10:10
Carlow 10:30
Muine Bheag 10:48
Kilkenny 11:18 – 12:40
Thomastown 13:03
Ballyhale 13:13 -13:24
Waterford 13:55

 
Friday 17th June
Diesel Loco + Cravens
Connolly 07:55
Island Bridge Jctn 08:10 -09:35
Newbridge 10:02
Kildare 10:08
Athy 10:23
Carlow 10:34
Muine Bheag 10:45
Lavistown 10:57
Thomastown 11:07
Ballyhle 11:13 – 11:18
Waterford 11:40

Steam Loco 4 + Cravens
Waterford 12:15
Carrick on Suir 12:44
Clonmel 13:08
Cahir 13:29
Tipperary 13:52 – 14:12
Limerick Jctn 14:24
Droomkeen 14:37
Limerick 14:57

Limerick 16:07
Dromkeen 16:29 – 16:37
Limerick Jctn16:56
Charleville 17:24
Mallow 17:41 – 18:16
Cork 18:50

Steam Loco 461 Light Engine
Wexford 09:25
Enniscorthy 09:57
Goery 10:28 – 10:42
Arklow 11:01 11:10
Wicklow 12:08
Greystones 12:29 – 12:52
Bray 13:03
Dalkey 13:14
Dun Laoghaire 13:20
Connolly 13:43
 
Saturday 18th June
Steam Loco 4 + Cravens
Cork 09:35
Mallow 10:20-10:50
Banteer 11:06
Millstreet 11:19
Rathmore 11:28
Killarney 11:50

Killarney 16:32
Rathmore 16:51
Milstreet 17:02
Banteer 17:14
Mallow 17:32

Diesel Loco + Cravens
Mallow 18:10
Cork 18:48

 
Sunday 19th June
Diesel Loco + Cravens
Cork 08:00
Mallow 08:26

Steam Loco 4 + Cravens
Mallow 09:00
Limerick Jcnt 09:44
Thurles 10:08 – 10:24
Templemore 10:33
Ballybrophy 10:45
Portlaoise 11:03 – 11:19
Portarlington 11:32
Monasterevin 11:39
Kildare 11:47
Newbridge 11:53
Islandbridge Jctn 12:25
Connolly 12:40

Diesel Loco + Cravens
Connolly 13:40
Clonsilla 13:54
Maynooth 14:04
Enfield 14:16
Killucan 14:31
Mullingar 14:42 – 14:53
Edgeworthstown 15:10
Longford 15:19
Dromod 15:30
Carrick On Shannon 15:44
Boyle 15:55
Ballymote 16:09
Collooney 16:17
Sligo 16:35

Sligo 17:00
Collooney 17:08
Ballymote 17:16
Boyle 17:29
Carrick on Shannon 17:39
Dromod 17:52 – 18:05
Longford 18:17
 

Steam Loco 85 + Mk2s
Whitehead 16:00
Carrickfergus 16:13
Yorkgate 16:31
Belfast Central 16:36 – 17:37
Yorkgate 17:42
Antrim 18:13 – 18:15
Ballymena 18:32
Killagan Loop 18:46
Ballymoney 18:58
Coleraine 19:12 -21:10
Castlerock 21:25
Londonderry 22:25
 
Tuesday 21st June
Diesel Loco + Cravens
Longford 10:55
Dromod 11:06
Carrick On Shannon 11:20
Boyle 11:30 – 11:37
Ballymote 11:51
Collooney 11:59
Sligo 12:10 - 12:40
Collooney 12:50
Ballymote 12:58
Bolyle 13:11
Carrick on Shannon 13:21
Dromod 13:34
Longford 13:45
Edgeworthstown 13:56
Mullingar 14:14 – 14:19
Killucan 14:28
Enfield 14:42
Maynooth 14:54
Clonsilla 15:05
Connolly 15:25

Steam Loco 85 + Mk2s
Londonderry 14:10
Caslterock 14:45 – 14:55
Coleraine 15:06 – 15:25
Portrush 15:40

Portrush 19:25
Coleraine 19:40
Ballymoney 19:56
Killagan Loop 20:12 – 20:18
Ballymena 20:32
Antrim 20:47
Templepatrick 20:54
Yorkgate 21:09
Belfast Central 21:14 – 22:00
Yorkgate 22:06
Carrickfergus 22:27
Whitehead 22:42
 
Wednesday 22 June
Steam Loco 85 + Mk2s
Whitehead 14:06
Carrickfergus 14:17
Yorkgate 14:31
Belfast Central 14:36 – 15:27
Lisburn 15:42
Moria 15:53
Lurgan 16:02
Portadown 16:08
Newry 16:29
Dundalk 16:48 – 17:30
Drogheda 17:56
Howth jctn 18:30
Connolly 18:45

Connolly 21:20
Howth Jctn 21:32
Drogheda 22:02
Dundalk 22:31 – 22:50
Newry 23:12
Portadown 23:32
Lurgan 23:39
Moira 23:49
Lisburn 00:00 00:10
Belfast central 00:25 – 00:30
Yorkgate 00:35
Carrickfergus 00:48
Whitehead 01:00

TBirdFrank

Thank you so much - that is fantastic.

If you see a black Jeep with a UK registration following the tour - do stop and say Hi!

MrMorooka

flyingsnail wrote: »

Connolly 07:55
Island Bridge Jctn 08:10 -09:35
Newbridge 10:02

yikes.

yachtsman

I notice the South Wexford is not being used for empty stock movement.

GM228

yachtsman wrote: »

I notice the South Wexford is not being used for empty stock movement.

Part of the line is to be relaid (yes relaid!), track panels have been delivered to the line recently and I suspect some preparation work may be underway on the line preventing it's use during the tour.

Del.Monte

GM228 wrote: »

Part of the line is to be relaid (yes relaid!), track panels have been delivered to the line recently and I suspect some preparation work may be underway on the line preventing it's use during the tour.

Yes, relaid with inferior rail and good rail removed. They did the same with Youghal/Killeagh but forgot to put in the inferior rail. Why this nonsense is allowed to continue is beyond reason.

GM228

Del.Monte wrote: »

Yes, relaid with inferior rail and good rail removed. They did the same with Youghal/Killeagh but forgot to put in the inferior rail. Why this nonsense is allowed to continue is beyond reason.

Apparently the other way around this
time.

Jamie2k9

GM228 wrote: »

Apparently the other way around this
time.

No don't think so, CWR was removed and re conditioned track laid. No big deal anyway as both will do the job the only reason it got CWR in the first place was it was only thing available.

end of the road

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

No don't think so, CWR was removed and re conditioned track laid. No big deal anyway as both will do the job the only reason it got CWR in the first place was it was only thing available.

i find it hard to believe there was no old bullhead rail availible from sidings and loops? apparently the lot being layed now came from nir?

GM228

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

No don't think so, CWR was removed and re conditioned track laid. No big deal anyway as both will do the job the only reason it got CWR in the first place was it was only thing available.

I don't think the relay has actually happened yet and the track was delivered to an area of the line which is still jointed track on wooden sleepers AFAIK.

end of the road wrote: »

apparently the lot being layed now came from nir?

The rail supplied came from sections between Killester-Clongriffan and the Cork line I'm told and is in better condition than what it is replacing according to those in the know.

end of the road

GM228 wrote: »

I don't think the relay has actually happened yet and the track was delivered to an area of the line which is still jointed track on wooden sleepers AFAIK.



The rail supplied came from sections between Killester-Clongriffan and the Cork line I'm told and is in better condition than what it is replacing according to those in the know.

oh okay, i had thought for some reason that they were going to replace the cwr so it could be used somewhere else

Jamie2k9

I don't think the relay has actually happened yet and the track was delivered to an area of the line which is still jointed track on wooden sleepers AFAIK.

Your info is probably more reliable than mine so I guess you may be right.

flyingsnail

No 4 will now take water in Charleville today instead of Mallow

Charleville 17:26 - 18:00
Mallow 18:18
Cork18:50

The_Wanderer

A "few" pictures from this years Emerald Isle Explorer.
https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2016/RPSI-Steam-Dreams-Emerald-Isle

The program for 2017 is on the Steam Dreams website at http://issuu.com/clearsite/docs/holidays_by_steam_2016-18/15?e=0/36362954

TBirdFrank

Thanks for that - still in hospital - recovering!

TBirdFrank

I think you call it "unfinished business" but having to flee back to the UK and the attentions of the NHS last month, I hope that No 85 and No 4 this Sunday will provide some of the photographic opportunities we had to miss due to my indisposition and the shocking weather we encountered!

The weather looks promising so here goes!

TBirdFrank

Well after a splendid Shannon and Suir - even at the cost of breaking Merlin, I note the Steam Dreams skeletal schedule for next month
Can anyone fill in the blanks - Dublin - Killarney, Killarney - Westport and Westport to Dublin so we can plan a bit more linesiding.
All information very gratefully received

flyingsnail

Day 1 Dublin Wexford Rosslare Dublin (day tickets available)
Day 2 Dublin Killarney
Day 3 Killarney Tralee Killarney (day tickets available)
Day 4 Killarney Portarlington Westport
Day 5 Westport Ballina Westport (day tickets available)
Day 6 Westport Dublin
Day 7 Dublin Belfast

Finalised times won’t be available until 1-2 weeks before hand

Salmon Leap

flyingsnail wrote: »

Day 1 Dublin Wexford Rosslare Dublin (day tickets available)
Day 2 Dublin Killarney
Day 3 Killarney Tralee Killarney (day tickets available)
Day 4 Killarney Portarlington Westport
Day 5 Westport Ballina Westport (day tickets available)
Day 6 Westport Dublin
Day 7 Dublin Belfast

Finalised times won’t be available until 1-2 weeks before hand

Does anyone have the timings for this tour?