Croagh Patrick Railtour (2016) - Whitehead Railway Museum

Thursday 12th May: (85) Whitehead - Belfast Central - Dublin Connolly. Friday 13th May: (GM) Dublin Connolly - Waterford - Limerick Junction - Dublin Connolly. Saturday 14th May: (4) Dublin - Westport. Claremorris turntable failed to turn the locomotive. Sunday 15th May: (4) Westport - Claremorris - Ballina - Claremorris - Westport. Runs to Ballyhaunis and Castlerea were cut due to delays. Monday 16th May: (4) Westport - Hazelhatch; (85) Dublin Connolly - Belfast Central - Whitehead. Terminated at Hazelhatch due to risk of lineside fire. Passengers taken to Connolly by railcar. No.4 and train later towed to Inchicore by 079.

12/5/2016: Thursday and here No.85 is approaching Carrickfergus from Whitehead.

12/5/2016: No.85 rattling along at speed at Dromin Junction. (B. Pickup)

12/5/2016: Safe arrival for No.85 at Dublin Connolly with the train from Whitehead and Belfast.

12/5/2016: A grimy looking Noel Playfair and Gary Moore, with Mark Buchanan behind. (M. Olver)

13/5/2016: On Friday, it was the "071-40" diesel trip. 071 is at Connolly, painted in 1976 livery, complete with 40th Anniversary plaque. (F. Kennedy)

13/5/2016: 071 in her pristine glory at Dublin Connolly.

13/5/2016: 071's plaque commemorating 40 years of its class.

13/5/2016: What a diesel locomotive roof looks like before the soot and oil get at it. Seen at Carlow.

13/5/2016: Negotiating Lavistown Loop. (K. O'Brien)

13/5/2016: A glittering 071 at Waterford's only platform, in a station which once had eight!

13/5/2016: The train was propelled out to Waterford yard, and here 071 is running round. (M. Devlin)

13/5/2016: The train has run to Limerick Junction and propelled in. It is seen here facing north to Dublin.

13/5/2016: All business at Limerick Junction.

14/5/2016: On Saturday morning No.4 backs on to its train at Dublin Connolly. (M. Birchenough)

14/5/2016: No.4 is at Platform 3 at Dublin Connolly. (B. Pickup)

14/5/2016: No.4 is stopped for water at Portarlington.

14/5/2016: The modern Portarlington station is further towards Dublin than the old station, which can be seen behind railings in the background.

14/5/2016: Watering at Portarlington finished and the hoses are being drained. (R. Joanes)

14/5/2016: Water stop at Athlone alongside more modern traction. (M. Birchenough)

14/5/2016: No.4 in Athlone.

14/5/2016: Crowds turn out in force at Roscommon.

14/5/2016: Framed by No.4's frames at Roscommon. (M. Devlin)

14/5/2016: Castlerea makes for a nice shot.

14/5/2016: It was sunny in the west for a change as the train enters Claremorris. (P. Newman)

14/5/2016: No.4 crosses to the turntable road at Claremorris. (R. Joanes)

14/5/2016: No.4 heads expectantly to the turntable in Claremorris.

14/5/2016: They pushed and they pushed ... (M. Devlin)

14/5/2016: It was not to be - the table would not turn with a weight on it!

14/5/2016: Watering at Claremorris after the abortive attempt to turn the engine. (M. Birchenough)

14/5/2016: Into the west on the way to Westport. (M. Birchenough)

14/5/2016: Evening arrival at Westport. (N. Enright)

14/5/2016: Resting in the Westport evening sun, No.4 and 078. (T. Hand)

15/5/2016: Simmering gently in Westport before the first move of the day on the Sunday. (M. Birchenough)

15/5/2016: Plenty of steam at Westport for the shunt to get the carriages to the platform just visible on the left.

15/5/2016: It's a fine morning as No.4 is prepared at Westport for the day's work.

15/5/2016: At Westport, No.4 has coupled up and reversed the train out, and is now bringing it back in to the departure platform. (M. Birchenough)

15/5/2016: With Croagh Patrick in the background, No.4 is near Manulla, heading for Claremorris. (P. Newman)

1/5/2016: No.4 getting a top-up at Claremorris. (M. Devlin)

15/5/2016: No.4 running round at Claremorris for the train to Ballina.

15/5/2016: Passing the signal cabin at Claremorris while running round. (M. Birchenough)

15/5/2016: No.4 topping a rise on the way to Ballina. (M. Birchenough)

15/5/2016: 075 is waiting in the yard at Ballina. (M. Birchenough)

15/5/2016: At Ballina, 075 took over the train (with No.4 following light back to Claremorris). Here the diesel and train come off the Ballina branch at Manulla Junction.

15/5/2016: At Ballina, waiting for the Cravens (hauled by 075) to clear Manulla so No.4 could shunt to loop for water. (R. Jolley)

15/5/2016: No.4 near Balla, returning light from Ballina. (N. Enright)

15/5/2016: At Claremorris No.4 is arriving light from Ballina as 075 leaves the train. (P. Newman)

15/5/2016: No shortage of water at Claremorris! (M. Birchenough)

15/5/2016: Vapours old and new as a jet passes over Claremorris. (M. Devlin)

15/5/2016: There was a long enough stopover in Claremorris for railtour regulars to visit this delightful establishment. (B. Gibbs)

15/5/2016: Ready to leave Claremorris for Westport again. (J. McKeown)

15/5/2016: Back at Westport, and the indefatigable Joe McKeown. (M. Birchenough)

15/5/2016: In the evening light, the former Westport Quay branch route bisects a recreation ground. The tour's namesake is in the distance. (M. Birchenough)

16/5/2016: On Monday morning, No.4 hauls the set onto the platform. (M. Birchenough)

16/5/2016: The day was bright and sunny as No.4 prepares to depart Westport.

16/5/2016: Hoses everywhere at Ballyhaunis! Water stop on the way back to Dublin. (J. McKeown)

16/5/2016: A station not often photographed with steam, Tullamore.

16/5/2016: Photo stop in fine weather at Tullamore. (R. Joanes)

16/5/2016: No.4 and train coming off the Athlone line at Portarlington. (J. Newsome)

16/5/2016: Sometimes hydrants just can't supply the water pressure and a tanker is required, seen at Portarlington.

16/5/2016: The train was stopped at Hazelhatch and word came through that there had been a lineside fire on the Mayo line. Irish Rail Control decided to terminate the train here, and sent a railcar to pick up passengers.

16/5/2016: While the tour was in the west, the Mk2 set was at Inchicore. 071 brings it back into Connolly. (J. Healy)

16/5/2016: No.85 being prepared outside the shed at Dublin Connolly. (M. Birchenough)

16/5/2016: No.85's northern crew back the locomotive on to its train. (M. Birchenough)

16/5/2016: At Connolly No.85 was ready to take the train northwards.

16/5/2016: No.85 heading north past Malahide Marina on the final leg. (J. Newsome)

16/5/2016: Chris, Edward and Matthew tend to No.85 at Dundalk. (J.A. Cassells)

16/5/2016: At Lisburn for a final water stop. (M. Birchenough)

24/5/2016: After stopping at Hazelhatch on the tour, No.4 made its way to Inchicore. It was later transferred from Inchicore to the shed at Dublin Connolly by 086, and accompanied by BR van 3185. (J. Monaghan)