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The Suir Valley Railtour
14th - 16th May 2005 (and more!)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A MAP OF 2005 MAIN TOUR ROUTE
A spine tingling 7 days of mainline steam action in Ireland. Beautiful weather, emerald countryside, stout, 2 steam locomotives, over 900 miles of steam train travel and as always with the RPSI, a list of achievements and firsts...

- 6 days of mainline steam haulage in a week!
- 2 locomotives - 900+ miles of travel
- the first use of RPSI Mark 2's out of Dublin
- the first Belfast-Dublin operation with RPSI carriages since 1989
- the first time No.186 has been in Dublin (in steam) since 28th May 1979, when operating from Dublin to Whitehead after the "Croagh Patrick" railtour.
- the first run for an 0-6-0 with passenger train from Belfast Central to Dublin since summer 1963
- the largest gathering in one place (Waterford) of RPSI carriages for many years

Thanks to the cameras of our travelers we have pulled together a pictorial review of this mammoth tour.
Click on the images for a larger version. Unmarked photos were taken by P Lockett or most likely P McCann.

If you had been in Ireland (and, lets face it, given the list above, you SHOULD have been!) for the 2005 May International Railtour, then you could have witnessed scenes like this:

Tuesday 10 May: (Positioning Run) Belfast–Dublin.
Locomotive: GS&WR No. 186. Carriages: RPSI Mk2’s.

	No.186 kicked off the "Suir Valley" Railtour with the first 'fringe' trip on Tuesday 10th May, her first visit to Dublin since 28th May 1979. 186 is seen here, paused at Lisburn for the Up Enterprise (and a NIR CAF on test) to overtake.
Bang on schedule, No.186 and five Mk2 carriages departed Belfast Central for Dublin and arrived equally as punctually. 186 is captured here just south of Dunleer, preparing for Kellystown bank. Photo by J Stanley
	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! In a hurry for their trains I suppose." Photo by B. Pickup

Thursday 12 May: (Positioning Run) Dublin (Connolly)–Bray Head-Rosslare Harbour–Waterford.
Locomotive: GS&WR No. 186. Single journey; return by Irish Rail service train via Kilkenny. Carriages from the RPSI Dublin based wooden bodied set.

The two positioning runs to/from Waterford, and to a lesser extent the run from Belfast to Dublin, were for many high points of the railtour operations. The logic behind these trips was to avoid light engine working and to generate at least some income, however modest, from positioning runs which were necessary for the running of the tour.

No.186, having arrived from Belfast on Tuesday, took 5 coaches from the Dublin set to Waterford via Rosslare harbour. The trip attracted a very respectable 140 passengers.

186 and train pause at Wellington Bridge. Photo by B Pickup.

This trip saw the RPSI operate its first all green train in CIÉ green with eau de nil band and flying snail. Coaches were 1916, 88, 1463, 2421 and 1335.
The consist are seen here at Waterford as 186 shunts them back into the bay platform for stabling.
Photo by A Thwaites

Saturday 14 May: Dublin (Pearse)–Bray Head-Rosslare Harbour–Waterford (overnight).
Locomotive: LMS (NCC) Loco 4. Carriages either Cravens or RPSI Mk2’s.
The railtour proper began at Dublin's Pearse station, when nearly 250 eager passengers were deposited on an empty platform from their various hotels. Due to DASH work in Dublin, the train stabled overnight at Grand Canal Dock and reversed into Pearse for a quick boarding of the railtour party, along with various essential supplies before we set off.

	The 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. On board the train the weather outside looked very pleasant with plenty of sunshine but, as was seen at the first stop to cross at Wicklow, there was a very chilly wind outside.
The locomotive was watered at a further stop at Rathdrum. There was a further photo stop at Enniscorthy.
	Another view at Enniscorthy.
There was a final photo stop at Wexford. No matter where the RPSI travels, the locals seem to know we are coming! Drivers of the future?
	After Wexford was the ever- popular traversing of the section along Wexford Quay. Here RPSI Hon Secretary, Paul McCann, takes in the view.
A further unscheduled photo stop was fitted in at Rosslare Strand.
	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.
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...
	...luckily the lorry (visible top right) moved in time to allow photographs at this popular location. Photo by A Thwaites
There were further photo stops at Wellington Bridge and Ballycullane (as in photo shown) before eventual, arrival in Waterford.
	Crossing Barrow Bridge - a nice shot looking back from the train. On to Waterford. For the crews another hour or two of work cleaning the fire, coaling both locomotives with bagged coal, cleaning ashpans and smokeboxes and preparing for the next day. For the carriage volunteers, the carriages all needed cleaned, filled with water, toilets cleaned and towels replaced, brushed and mopped. For our participants the chance for a quick mop and brush up before taking on some (Liffey) water themselves and enjoying the speakers (J Glendinning, J Beaumont and G Mooney) at the banquet.

Sunday 15 May: Waterford–Limerick Jun.–Limerick–Waterford (overnight).
Locomotive: GS&WR Loco 186. Carriages either Cravens or RPSI Mk2’s.

	Eddie ensures a good shine on 186 at Waterford prior to departure for Limerick. Sunday started in glorious sunshine and remained that way all day, but with a warmth absent from the day before. No.186 with 6 coaches (the diner and generator having been dropped) easily maintained sectional times throughout the day.
Beginning to get a reputation for their double-act, RPSI Council members Philip (your website administrator) and Gerry were interviewed before departure for American railway programme "Tracks Ahead". The camera crew were being assisted locally by Geoff Cooke (in car, despite having a cold) and wife Sheelagh (on train with coffee and mobile phone)! Geoff Cookes Trains and Treasures. Here Philip makes full use of the phrase "Emerald Isle"...
	...and even with the usual tasks to complete prior to departure, RPSI Dublin Locomotive Rep Gerry still found time to give his words of wisdom to the US people. Two speeches in one weekend...fame...and so young (his 29th birthday was on the Friday)!
A stop was made at Clonmel for water but a missing standpipe made a call to a member of Clonmel Borough Council a necessity. A slight delay resulted in a further loss of time, but the obligatory stop at Limerick Junction was still made to turn the locomotive on the triangle there. Photo by R.Norton
	The run into Limerick was made tender-first. A quick service and turn- round recouped some of the lost time. Unfortunately, a photo stop at Tipperary had to be cut, but it did mean that the train was more or less back on schedule. Anxiously checking watches and glancing toward the direction of the yard at Limerick are a number of RPSI stalwarts and an Emap journalist!
A further stop was made at Clonmel for water on the way home. 70 passengers disembarked there to take a coach to Kilmeadan to join the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway for a 12km trip on their line to Bilberry on the outskirts of Waterford. Only 6km of the line is as yet open to the public so the Society is grateful for the chance to travel the entire length. On the approach to Waterford, No.4 could be seen quietly waiting in the yard for her duties the next day. The yard at Waterford is extremely well organised and past the neatly stacked signaling equipment can be seen trainloads of timber which were being transferred here from rail to road.
	Running between Waterford and Limerick Junction was never going to be exciting due to an overall limit of 40mph, but it was further curtailed because of the number of PW slacks due to relaying being undertaken at present. In fact the line is completely closed for 6 weeks, the tour train being one of three specials allowed through during the closure. Photo at Waterford by G.Bridle
Back at Waterford, after a break for dinner, RPSI Winter Meetings organiser and photographer, Charles Friel presented a very well received show of 80 slides illustrating the route of the tour using views from past tours. And so to bed (for some!).

Monday 16 May: Waterford–Lavistown Curve (avoid Kilkenny)–Carlow-Dublin–Belfast.
Locomotive: LMS (NCC) Loco 4. Carriages: Craven’s or RPSI Mk2’s to Dublin and RPSI Mk2’s Dublin to Belfast.

	Despite a delay in watering resulting in a late departure from Waterford, the train now back to its original 8-coach formation, and with No.4 back at the head, soon caught up time. The first stop was for water just beyond Bagenalstown station platforms. Despite the day being dull and threatening rain, many took full advantage of the first photo opportunity at Carlow. There was another photo and water stop at Athy, with the water being provided courtesy of a local fire service tanker. Despite a PW delay at Cherryville Junction and an unscheduled set- down at Inchicore, arrival at Connolly station was dead on time. Here Henry, the RPSI Train Manager, explains that the carriages are behind the locomotive to the amusement of NIR Driver (Noel) and NIR Fireman (Gary) for the run North.
No.4 was serviced and the Irish Rail coaches dropped, resulting in a slightly late departure from Connolly with the 5 RPSI coaches. What followed was a very fine run to Drogheda where water was taken. Photo by B.Pickup
	Irwin, RPSI crew inspector, and Mark the RPSI roster clerk carefully watch No.4 fill at Drogheda.
To the amusement of many, RPSI Train Manager, Henry took great delight in making full use of the PA system on the new Mk2 coaches.
	Another fine run to Dundalk was only broken by a stop due to a hot box detector outside the station. As this was a stop and examine situation, the train was shunted here to let the following Enterprise overtake. The opportunity was taken to have a fill of water which meant that the run back to Belfast was only interrupted by a quick set-down at Portadown, there being no need to water at Lisburn. It seems John and Norman have decided how to calm themselves after such a thrilling weekend!
At Belfast Central, 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.

Tuesday 17 May: (Return Positioning Run) Waterford–Rosslare Harbour–Dublin (Connolly).
Locomotive: GS&WR loco186. Carriages from the RPSI Dublin based wooden bodied set. Connects with ex Dublin (Heuston) Irish Rail service train.

	For those on the final optional leg of the tour, it began with the 07:30 service train from Heuston to Waterford. Departure with No.186 and the Dublin coaches was at 11:16 with about 40 passengers on board - obviously post-tour fatigue catching up on people. The South Wexford line was traversed in spring sunshine with stops at Wellington Bridge and Bridgetown. On arrival in Rosslare the locomotive and coaches were serviced, with departure for Dublin about 10 minutes late. The Down passenger was crossed in Enniscorthy. No.186 and train are captured leaving the tunnel at Enniscorthy. Photo by G Lockley
This second shot by Graham Lockley is further long the river between Avoca and the quarry in the beautiful Vale of Avoca. A very Irish scene.
	186 is captured here at MP57 by B.Pickup
Despite water stops in Gorey and Rathdrum there was an ahead of path crossing of the 17:30 to Arklow in Bray rather than in Greystones. The run into Dublin was 5 minutes ahead of a DART to the surprise of waiting commuters, and arrival in Connolly was at 19:00 - just as the Enterprise departed. About 45 minutes later 081 hooked on and hauled the train to Inchicore, where it was secured in the oil siding at about 20:30. 186 was caught at Greystones by B.Pickup.
	An alternative on the day was the coach trip to Downpatrick where the Society's hosts provided a fine day's entertainment behind their locomotive No.3. Several diesels had been lined up to perform but the consensus was to keep the steam running, and so it was.
Lunch was at the very fine restored flour mill at Ballyduggan, just outside Downpatrick, which is now a restaurant and hotel.

Obviously it takes A LOT of work by a lot of volunteers to create such an amazing spectacle. To all who participated in, or helped organise, the "Suir Valley" railtour a very big WELL DONE and THANK YOU!
For those of you reading this and wondering "should I book on a RPSI railtour"...wonder no more....I hope the photographs convince you of the enjoyment that waits to be experienced!
Why don't you come and join us?

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