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Photo report from the "Top Link" railtour
Tony and Dan at Thurles. Photo: N Ryan-Purcell |
Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 2009 A special excursion to mark the retirement and to acknowledge the assistance over the years to the RPSI of driver Tony Renehan. Over several decades, the RPSI has been very fortunate to have had the services of a true ‘steam man’ - Tony Renehan. Tony has been a stalwart supporter of the RPSI and over the years has ensured that many of our operations went without a hitch. Unfortunately, the time had come for Tony to retire from Iarnród Éireann and from the regulator of RPSI locomotives. |
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Peter Cuffe's photos of the Top Link tour Charles McCrossans photos of the Top Link tour |
 No.4
travelled south with the RPSI's Mark 2 carriage set from Whitehead-Dublin
on Friday 30th January. Here she is crossing the Boyne viaduct at
Drogheda. Photo: Ed Fahey |
 No.4,
prepared and ready to depart. Dublin Connolly on Saturday 30th January.
Photo: Ed Fahey |
 The
train was routed through Platform 10 at Islandbridge Junction. This unusual
move was done so that a number of detonators could be placed on the track
and nothing else would set them off first! Photo: Dylan Kinsella. |
 The
tour was routed into the loop at Sallins to allow Cork and Limerick trains
to overtake. Here Loco Rep David Carse waits for the green light.
Photo: C.P.Friel |
 Tony
waves to well-wishers on the down platform as the train regains the Main
Line. The former goods shed, on the left, was once the Society’s Dublin
area base. Photo: C.P.Friel |
 During
the water stop at Portarlington, steam from the drain cocks is lit by the
engine’s headlamps. You can sense the murky weather! Photo: C.P.Friel |
 The
weather was still foggy and rainy during the water stop at the loop platform
in Ballybrophy. Photo: C.P.Friel |
 The
train ran into the loop at Thurles before taking water at the down platform.
Photo by Kevin Murphy. |
 During
the stop, Dick Fearn, Irish Rail Chief Executive, joined the footplate
crew and enjoyed the warmth of the fire! Photo by Kevin Murphy. |
 Tony
keeps a sharp eye as he reverses the train to the down platform.
Photo: C.P. Friel |
 At
Limerick Junction, No 4 was turned by using the Direct Curve. Here No 4
is heading for Keane’s Points on the Limerick branch. Photo: C.P.
Friel |
 Tony
(in the cab) and Dan check on the driver’s side injector at Charleville.
Photo: C.P. Friel |
 Taking
more water in the loop platform at Charleville. Photo by Kevin Murphy. |
 After
the slide show, Gerry Mooney presented Tony with Life Membership of the
Society as a token of our thanks. Here an embarrassed Tony gets a standing
ovation from all present (about 130 of them). Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 Gerry
presents Tony with his Certificate of Honorary Life Membership and tickets
for a main line steam tour on the big island. Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 After
an overnight stay in Cork, Tony climbs onto No.4 for his last duty.
Photo: Hassard Stacpoole. |
 Your
photographer was busy setting up the shop and missed the actual departure.
Here No 4 ploughs through seemingly endless detonators as Tony and No 4
heave the train into the steeply inclined tunnel.. Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 Continuing
the long slog up the 1 in 60 above Kilbarry. Here the train has just crossed
the Kilnap Viaduct with an attentive audience taking in every beat. Photo
by C.P.Friel. |
 Another
water stop at Charleville and there was time for a family photo of the
Irish Rail footplate staff and Gerry. Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 During
the Thurles water stop, these five Dublin-based timers celebrated 50 years
of timing steam on the Cork main line. Left to right are RPSI Vice-chairman
David, Eddie, Conrad, Norman and Conrad. Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 Thurles.
Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 Fiona
Lee "manned" the Society’s shop for books, DVDs and other goodies.. Photo
by C.P.Friel. |
 In
Diner 547 are Peter, Rita, Peter and Angela – they kept up a steady supply
of burgers, rolls and soup as well as tea and coffee. Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 There
was real ale too! Photo by C.P.Friel. |
 A
pause at Ballybrophy heading northbound, captured by Pat Gantly. |
 Tony
in the drivers seat. Photo: Gerry Mooney/Hassard Stacpoole |
 The
train arriving at Portarlington for a water stop. Photo: Dylan Kinsella |
 At
Portarlington, water was taken at the road overbridge at the Cork end of
the station, blocking the Athlone branch. Photo by Kevin Murphy. Photo
by Kevin Murphy |
 After
pulling forward to the platform, another family photo. Photo by C.P.Friel |
 Tony
and Dan deep in discussion. Photo by C.P.Friel |
 No.4
makes a fine sight crossing the River Barrow at Monasterevan Viaduct heading
northbound. Photo:Dylan Kinsella |
 With
special headboard clearly on show, No.4 passes milepost 42 and 1/4 heading
northbound. Photo:Dylan Kinsella. |
This photo nicely captures No.4 at the south end of Kildare, heading north.
Photo: Ed Fahey. |
 On
the footplate, Dan was firing. Photo: Gerry Mooney/Hassard Stacpoole |
 No.4
panned passing the Curragh heading northbound. Photo: Pat Gantly |
 No.4
back at Dublin Connolly. Photo: Ed Fahey |
 After
arriving at Connolly, Tony was asked to autograph many a tour brochure
and ticket. Photo: C.P.Friel |
 There
were lots of handshakes – hardly a dry eye in the house. Photo: C.P.Friel |
 There
are no fewer than four Renehan brothers in this! Photo: C.P.Friel |
 Our
last view of No 4 taking water at Drogheda and impatient to tackle the
climb to Kellystown and beyond. Photo: C.P.Friel |
View our Helping Us Page to see how you can volunteer in Dublin or Whitehead and get involved.
