Summer Steam (2011)

Various trains run during the summer of 2011.

12/6/2011: No.4 made it back to Portrush for the first time in just over four years. (C.P. Friel)

12/6/2011: No.4 at Portrush, ready for the return trip. (C.P. Friel)

23/7/2011: Although it isn't steam our Cravens were in action to mark 40 years since the last regular 'mystery' train. 080 is seen here at Islandbridge working the train to Kilkenny. 076 took over for the return to Dublin. (C. Cooney)

30/7/2011: One of a series of Summer Steam' open days. As usual there were steam train rides along the length of the platform, but while these are usually done by the No.3BG, on this occasion No.4 took charge of the train. (C.P. Friel)

30/7/2011: It was No.4's last weekend in steam before her boiler certificate expired after ten years' faithful service. By pulling the rides train she was literally warming up for the exertions of the Portrush Flyer the next day! (C.P. Friel)

30/7/2011: Appropriately No.4 was paired with 68, an original carriage from her old company, the NCC. Dining Car 87 acted as usual as a stationary tea bar and museum exhibition. (C.P. Friel)

30/7/2011: Unusually there were four steamable engines at Whitehead all at once! At right is the Guinness engine, then No.186 and No.461, with No.4 on the train rides. (E. Friel)

31/7/2011: Maybe not aesthetically pleasing but No.4 proved herself more than happy running bunker-first up a steep gradient at the old Mossley station with a fairly heavy load of 8 carriages. (C.P. Friel)

31/7/2011: 'Jeeps' like No.4 were once a common sight in Portrush with excursion trains for the seaside. And this year, for three Sundays anyway, so it was again. (C.P. Friel)

31/7/2011: After running a local trip to Coleraine for day, No.4 was mobbed by adoring fans at Portrush. (M. Crockett)

31/7/2011: On the way home No.4 showed little sign of being due for overhaul! She is seen here storming up Ballyboyland bank, going out with a bang after a very successful decade of main line service. (C.P. Friel)

7/8/2011: No.186 took charge for a trip from Malahide to Wicklow, organised by Malahide Lions Club, in aid of the Ross Nugent Foundation. The train is seen here southbound at Howth Junction. (C. Cooney)

7/8/2011: On the return journey No.186 was chased by air! She is seen here north of Greystones. (L. Meehan / L. Burke)

7/8/2011: And again. (L. Meehan / L. Burke)

28/8/2011: The Trinity College Community chartered a train from Dublin Pearse station to Belvedere House. No.186 is seen here near Tara street, between Westland Row and Amiens Street. (B. Pickup)

28/8/2011: The Trinity College Community charter cruising along the banks of the Royal Canal at Leixlip. (C. Cooney)

28/8/2011: Running through the up loop at Enfield, passing the disused balloon tank at the end of the platform. (C. Cooney)

28/8/2011: At Mullingar, at the Up Galway platform after taking water. The engine was supposed to use the turntable here but due to a signalling problem was not able to do so. (C. Cooney)

28/8/2011: No.186 ran tender-first back to Dublin. She is seen here at Cloncurry, near Enfield. (C. Cooney)