Railway Preservation Society of Ireland May International railtour

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Irish Railway Heritage Weekend

No.85 passes northwards over the Boyne Viaduct at Drogheda on the Plains of Mayo tour in 2003. Photo G.Lockley.

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
Announces its 43rd Irish Railway Heritage Weekend
Featuring
THE SOUTH CLARE INTERNATIONAL RAILTOUR

Operating on
Saturday 12th to Monday 14th May 2012

Saturday 12th May: Dublin Connolly - Atheny - Ennis
Sunday 13th May: Ennis - Limerick - Nenagh - Ballybrophy - Dublin Connolly.
Monday 12th September: Dublin Connolly - Belfast - Whitehead.

Fringe Events

Thursday 10th May: Steam-hauled carriage positioning train, Whitehead - Belfast - Dublin
Friday 11th May: Diesel railtour, Dublin Connolly - Portrush (requested) and return
Tuesday 15th May: Coach tour from Belfast

RAILTOUR FEATURES:

Each year the RPSI operates a multi-day international railtour. This is something a little special where we invite you to join our restored locomotives on our train across Ireland. With a full bar on the train (including draught Guinness), beautiful scenery, comfortable carriages and a traditional friendly welcome, our trains are fun and relaxing and a great way to see the Emerald Isle.

This years features include:

Steam haulage by recently overhauled ex Dublin and South Eastern Railway 2-6-0 locomotive No.461, resplendent in Great Southern Railway green.
The first steam-hauled passenger train between Athenry and Ennis, since
May 1994. The locomotive then was No.461.
Ennis, the County town of Clare, a first for the Saturday overnight.
1879-built steam locomotive GSWR 0-6-0 No.186 is planned to operate the carriages Whitehead to Dublin on 10th May.

Advance booking is now open!

* Download and post us your advance booking form today! *

Previous Railtours

No.186 of 1879 arrives in Whitehead from Dublin on 8th May 2010 as part of the "Dalriada" tour. No.4 (which will be out of service by the time of this year's tour) is wearing an original headboard from the last train of the Magheramorne stone contract which saved her from the scrapyard, 40 years (and 6 days) previously. 4 then pulled the tour train to Ballymena.

Our website has pictorial reports some previous RPSI International Railtours -

2009 "Carrowbeg" and "Comeragh" railtours
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

2008 "Barrow Bridge railtour"
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

2007 "Garavogue Railtour"
2006 "Earl of Desmond Railtour"
2005 "Suir Valley Railtour"
2004 "Slieve Kimalta Railtour"

Some comments from passengers on our previous RPSI International Railtours:

"this year the Three Day Tour received overall the highest satisfaction ratings of any tour ever surveyed"
"I just want to send my vote of thanks for your recent railtour. As usual from the excellent turn out of the locomotives and rolling stock the planning of the trip in general. The friendliness of the staff and other volunteers. I just wish to offer you success to the rest of the year."
"A big thank-you to everyone for one of the very best railtours I have ever been on. Superb organisation, timekeeping (compared with most!) and service. We will definitely come again next year, EXCELLENT!"
"Many memorable moments."
"Please pass on sincere thanks to the operations committee for another superb and hugely enjoyable tour. The organisation was hugely complex, and everyone involved deserves great credit. Another landmark for the Society"

Please note all trains and itineraries are subject to change and to agreement with the Railway Companies.

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