Suir Valley Railtour (2005)

Tuesday 10th May: (186) Lisburn - Belfast Central - Dublin Connolly. Thursday 12th May: (186) Dublin Connolly - Rosslare Harbour - Waterford. Saturday 14th May: (4) Dublin Pearse - Rosslare Harbour - Waterford. Sunday 15th May: (186) Waterford - Limerick Junction - Limerick - Tipperary - Waterford. Monday 16th May: (4) Waterford - Kildare - Dublin Connolly - Belfast Central. Tuesday 17th May: (186) Waterford - Rosslare - Dublin Connolly.

10/5/2005: No.186 kicked off the railtour with the first 'fringe' trip on the Tuesday, her first visit to Dublin since 28th May 1979. No.186 is seen here, paused at Lisburn for the Up Enterprise (and a NIR CAF on test) to overtake. (P. Lockett)

10/5/2005: No.186 waits patiently at Lisburn. (R. Joanes)

10/5/2005: Bang on schedule, No.186 and five Mk2 carriages departed Belfast Central for Dublin and arrived equally as punctually. No.186 calls at Dundalk for water and a breather! (R. Joanes)

10/5/2005: No.186 is captured here just south of Dunleer, preparing for Kellystown bank. (J. Stanley)

10/5/2005: No.186 and train are seen at Dublin Connolly. It was interesting to note that the evening commuters didn't pay much heed to this unusual spectacle! (B. Pickup)

12/5/2005: On Thursday, No.186 hauled the Dublin-based set to Waterford via Rosslare, seen at Bray Head. The positioning runs to/from Waterford and from Belfast to Dublin were for many high points of the tour. (J. Hunt)

12/5/2005: Photo stop at Kilcoole. (R. Joanes)

12/5/2005: Here, No.186 crosses Corballis viaduct before Rathdrum. (J. Hunt)

12/5/2005: The train eases into Rathdrum. (J. Hunt)

12/5/2005: Leaving Enniscorthy and crossing the River Slaney. (J. Hunt)

12/5/2005: No.186 drifts across the Wexford Quays with the Dublin-based carriages, recently repainted in 1950s CIÉ green livery. (G. Lockley)

12/5/2005: The train has arrived in Rosslare Strand. (R. Joanes)

12/5/2005: No.186 is turned at Rosslare. MV Normandy is at berth in the Harbour. (R. Joanes)

12/5/2005: No.186 and train pause at Wellington Bridge. (B. Pickup)

12/5/2005: No.186 at Waterford. (R. Joanes)

12/5/2005: This trip saw the RPSI operate its first all-green train - CIÉ green with eau de nil band and flying snail. The consist is seen here at Waterford as No.186 shunts them back into the bay platform for stabling. (A. Thwaites)

14/5/2005: On Saturday, the main tour train, hauled by No.4, comprised the 5 RPSI Mk2 coaches, with the addition of a MK2d open, a restaurant car and a generator van from Irish Rail. The train is passing Blackrock. (R. Joanes)

14/5/2005: The first stop was to cross at Wicklow.

14/5/2005: After a water stop at Rathdrum, the next photo stop was at Enniscorthy. (P. Lockett)

14/5/2005: RPSI Train Manager, Henry took great delight in making full use of the PA system on the then new Mk2 coaches.

14/5/2005: The locomotive was so clean that, despite appearances to the contrary, the rear of the bunker is not a shade of pink but the reflection of the tailboard on brake coach 460, seen at Enniscorthy.

14/5/2005: There was a photo stop at Wexford. No matter where the RPSI travels, the locals seem to know we are coming! Drivers of the future? (P. Lockett)

14/5/2005: After Wexford, the ever-popular traversing of the section along Wexford Quay. Here RPSI Secretary, Paul McCann, takes in the view. (T. Casterton)

14/5/2005: A further photo stop was fitted in at Rosslare Strand. (P. Lockett)

14/5/2005: The train and locomotive were serviced on Rosslare Pier where, due to the rough seas, a number of the coaches acquired a coating of salt from the spray coming over the harbour wall.

14/5/2005: Tour participants gathered to watch No.4 being turned at Rosslare. To the horror of most of those on the bank, a large lorry stopped to allow those at the Weighbridge sign to take their photographs. (P. Lockett)

14/5/2005: Luckily the lorry (visible top right) moved in time to allow photographs at this popular location. (A. Thwaites)

14/5/2005: There were further photo stops at Wellington Bridge and Ballycullane (shown here) before eventual arrival in Waterford.

14/5/2005: Crossing the Barrow Bridge - a nice shot looking back from the train.

14/5/2005: Another view of the bridge, from the other side. (A. Williamson)

15/5/2005: Next morning, Sunday, and Father Eddie Creamer makes sure No.186 is looking its best. (A. Williamson)

15/5/2005: Eddie ensures a good shine on No.186 at Waterford prior to departure for Limerick.

15/5/2005: The distinctive signal cabin at Waterford which spans the through tracks. (A. Williamson)

15/5/2005: A stop was made at Clonmel for water, but a missing standpipe made a call to a member of Clonmel Borough Council a necessity. (R. Norton)

15/5/2005: The locomotive attracts a lot of local interest at Clonmel. (A. Williamson)

15/5/2005: No.186 - a study in black and white, at Clonmel. (A. Williamson)

15/5/2005: At Limerick Junction the locomotive came off the train to turn on the triangle. (A. Williamson)

15/5/2005: The run into Limerick was made tender-first from the Junction. While No.186 was being serviced, there were a number of RPSI stalwarts and at least one journalist anxiously checking watches and glancing in the direction of the yard.

15/5/2005: A fine view of Tipperary on the return from Limerick. (J. Hunt)

15/5/2005: The return train near Cahir. (J. Hunt)

15/5/2005: On the approach to Waterford, No.4 could be seen quietly waiting in the yard for her duties the next day.

15/5/2005: No.186 is shown after the return to Waterford. (G. Bridle)

15/5/2005: A fringe event was an evening visit to the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway. The narrow gauge train is about to depart from Kilmeadan. (S. Rafferty)

15/5/2005: One of the W&SVR diesel locomotives. (S. Rafferty)

15/5/2005: The ‘special’ ran to what was then the end of the line, where everyone disembarked for a tour and inspection of the work in progress. The abandoned Suir railway bridge is in the background. (S. Rafferty)

15/5/2005: Back at the Waterford hotel, after a break for dinner, Charles Friel presented a very well received show of 80 slides illustrating the route of the tour using views from past tours. (P. Lockett)

16/5/2005: On Monday, Henry, the RPSI Train Manager, explains that the carriages for the run north from Dublin to Whitehead are behind the locomotive, to the amusement of NIR Driver (Noel) and NIR Fireman (Gary).

16/5/2005: No.4 had a slightly late departure from Connolly with the 5 Mk2 coaches. What followed was a very fine run to Drogheda where water was taken. (B. Pickup)

16/5/2005: John and Norman have decided how to calm themselves after such a thrilling weekend!

16/5/2005: No.4 being attended to in the loop at Dundalk. (A. Williamson)

16/5/2005: At Belfast Central, with No.4 in reflection, those on board due to return to Dublin were able to make a very quick cross-platform switch to the Up Enterprise, and hence came to an end the "Suir Valley" railtour for the majority of participants.

17/5/2005: On Tuesday, No.186 and the nominally empty carriages from the RPSI Dublin based wooden bodied set returned from Waterford to Dublin, seen here coming off the Barrow Bridge into Kilmokea. (J. Hunt)

17/5/2005: A closer view at Kilmokea. (J. Hunt)

17/5/2005: No.186 leaving the tunnel at Enniscorthy. (G. Lockley)

17/5/2005: This shot is further long the river between Avoca and the quarry in the beautiful Vale of Avoca. A very Irish scene. (G. Lockley)

17/5/2005: No.186 is captured here at MP 57 on the D&SER line. (B. Pickup)

17/5/2005: No.186 is pictured under the wires at Greystones. (B. Pickup)

17/5/2005: Also on the Tuesday was the coach trip to Downpatrick where the Society's hosts provided a fine day's entertainment behind their locomotive No.3.

17/5/2005: Lunch was at the very fine restored flour mill at Ballyduggan, just outside Downpatrick, which is now a restaurant and hotel.