Gall Tír Railtour (1998)

Saturday 9th May: (171) Limerick Junction - Waterford; (461) Waterford - Kilkenny - Bagenalstown - Waterford. Diesel and train from Heuston to Limerick Junction to allow for more time on the branches. Sunday 10th May: (171 LE) Waterford - Rosslare Harbour; (461) Waterford - Rosslare Harbour; (171) Rosslare Harbour - Dublin Connolly; (461 LE) Rosslare Harbour - Dublin Connolly - Inchicore. Monday 11th May: (171) Dublin Connolly - Lisburn - Larne Harbour - Whitehead. Cravens to Lisburn, heritage set thereafter.

9/5/1998: The tour started off with a direct diesel transfer from Dublin to Limerick Junction, where 224 and train have now shunted to the Limerick Bay sidings. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: No.171 backing its train into the Junction platform to collect its passengers. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: No.171 backing the train out of the Junction to Keane's Points in order to gain the Waterford line. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: No.171 looking well at Cahir. (R. Joanes)

9/5/1998: Crossing two 121 locomotives on a cement train at Clonmel. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: After arrival from Limerick Junction, No.171 is having a top in one of the bay platforms at Waterford. (S. Rafferty)

9/5/1998: In the afternoon No.461 operated a local trip from Waterford to Bagenalstown, and is seen here heading north towards Thomastown having crossed the River Nore bridge. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: No.461 has just arrived at Kilkenny. The new station building is in place but the trackwork not yet modified. (R. Joanes)

9/5/1998: Running round at Kilkenny. (R. Joanes)

9/5/1998: At Kilkenny the tour train was occupying the loop normally used by service train locomotives to run round, so No.461 had to shunt the beer wagons in the yard to clear an alternative loop. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: A proper goods engine at Kilkenny. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: No.461 has arrived at Bagenalstown. (S. Rafferty)

9/5/1998: At Bagenalstown, awaiting the Down service train to clear before running round. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: Running round at Bagenalstown. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: No.461 has changed ends and is ready to leave Bagenalstown to return to Waterford via the recently-commissioned Lavistown Loop. (S. Rafferty)

9/5/1998: A stop at Thomastown is appreciated by the locals. (S. Rafferty)

9/5/1998: A fine view of the train at Thomastown. (R. Joanes)

9/5/1998: Trackside view at Thomastown. (M. Birchenough)

9/5/1998: No.461 with the tour train pictured at a level crossing just south of Thomastown. (S. Rafferty)

9/5/1998: In the bay platform at Waterford, No.171 is lit by the evening sun.(M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: On Sunday morning, No.171 ran light from Waterford to Rosslare. No.461, seen at Waterford's long platform, followed with the tour train. (M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: No.461 ready to depart Waterford. (W. Pizer)

10/5/1998: No.461 and train are at Ballycullane on the South Wexford line. (R. Joanes)

10/5/1998: Entering Wellingtonbridge.

10/5/1998: The beet loading machinery is evident at Wellingtonbridge. (M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: The island platform typical of the South Wexford is evident at Bridgetown. (R. Joanes)

10/5/1998: No.171 ran ahead of the tour train from Waterford to Rosslare Harbour, where it took over when No.461 arrived. Here it is waiting its turn at Rosslare Harbour.

10/5/1998: No.171 and train are ready to depart Rosslare Harbour. (M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: No.171 is heading north and waiting at Rosslare Strand for the Down train to arrive. (R. Joanes)

10/5/1998: Rosslare Strand with No.171 on the Wexford line and the Waterford points immediately to the right. (M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: North of Wexford the line hugs the River Slaney and No.171 is seen alongside the river. (M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: A stop at Enniscorthy. (R. Joanes)

10/5/1998: No.171 viewed from Gorey signal cabin. (M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: No.171 approaching the closed station of Woodenbridge.

10/5/1998: Sullivan Boomer and Mervyn Darragh enjoying what the bar has to offer.

10/5/1998: A splendid view of Rathdrum. (R. Joanes)

10/5/1998: The wait at Rathdrum was to allow the tour train to be overtaken. (M. Birchenough)

10/5/1998: No.171 in Platform 5 at Dublin Connolly. (M. Birchenough)

11/5/1998: On the Monday the train headed north to Whitehead, and No.171 stopped for water at Drogheda. (M. Birchenough)

11/5/1998: Seems to be a problem with the water valve at a very wet Drogheda. (S. Rafferty)

11/5/1998: A busy platform at Dundalk. (M. Birchenough)

11/5/1998: After detaching the Cravens at Lisburn, the RPSI diner/bar got busy. Stephen Glass, Paul McCann and Mark Kennedy are standing; Andy Crockart and Des Browne (sitting) are in deep conversation. (S. Rafferty)

11/5/1998: Steve Rafferty and Brian Hill are putting the world to rights. (J. Rafferty)

11/5/1998: The trip was extended on to Larne Harbour, and Heather Boomer appreciates the delights of Larne Town. (S. Rafferty)