Planning a trip to Ireland

[DanNCL]

As the title says, I'm planning a trip to Ireland for September. My current plan is as follows, though there is some flexibility in this:
Day 1:
Overnight ferry from Birkenhead to Belfast
Day 2:
Visiting further afield parts of Northern Ireland by train
Hotel in Derry/Londonderry or Belfast, depending on itinerary
Day 3:
To be confirmed
Hotel in Belfast
Day 4:
Day trip to Dublin
Hotel in Belfast
Day 5:
Exploring Belfast+surrounding area
Overnight ferry from Belfast to Birkenhead
Day 6:
Return home

Residents of Great Britain are required to fill in a passenger locator form before travelling to the Republic of Ireland, however this form asks for a "place of residence when staying in Ireland ". As I will be staying in Northern Ireland and only visiting the Republic of Ireland for a day trip, how would I fill in this section of the passenger locator form? I can't provide a "place of residence" in the Republic of Ireland as I won't have one!

Can anyone recommend railway museums in Northern Ireland or Dublin, scenic railway lines in Northern Ireland, or any other things to do in Belfast? Apart from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, I don't really know what's to offer in Ireland!

Thanks in advance

 

[Ianno87]

Never done it myself, but the Derry Line is superb scenery-wise.

Also, there's Dublin-Rosslare along the coast, particularly Bray Head and the trip along the Quay at Wexford, which I have done.

You may also find the videos from the All The Stations trip to Ireland in 2019 good inspiration.

Also, Titanic Belfast is superb.

 

[thenorthern]

The Belfast-Dublin line is quite scenic and it's nice going over Broadmeadow Viaduct.

In regards ticketing you can get an iLink pass which I think is £16.50 a day and is valid on any train or bus in Northern Ireland. Bus transport is useful in Northern Ireland particularly outside Belfast. It is not valid on the Enterprise beyond Newry though.

With Dublin I have a Leap Card which I think is €5 to buy and it's capped at €9.50 for the Train, €7 for the bus and €7 for the Luas or €10 overall. The Leap Card is like an oyster card. You can also buy a visitors Leap Card for €10.

I go to Dublin regularly so I have a normal Leap Card.

 

[Elwyn]

The RPSI rail museum in Whitehead (accessible by train on the Larne line) has static exhibits and on some days engines in steam. Normally they run mainline steam hauled services in the summer months but this has been curtailed by Covid. However their website/newsletter suggests they may resume in September subject to getting all the necessary approvals from Translink etc.

https://steamtrainsireland.com

If travelling to Derry, your train ticket includes the shuttle bus from Waterside station over to the city centre. The Maldron or the City hotel are then within walking distance. (And there are others). If you want a classy meal book at Browns, Bonds Hill (1 minute from Waterside station). Booking not required at lunchtime but essential in the evening.

https://www.brownsbondshill.com

As far as giving an address in the Republic is concerned, I would just enter “day trip.” Doubt anyone will pay any attention. NI and the Republic is awash with British visitors at present for obvious reasons. And there's no check on the border, so no-one will know anyway.

 

[DanNCL]

Thanks for all of the replies. Would it be worthwile adding in a night or two staying in Dublin to the itinerary, instead of heading down as a day trip? As this would then allow me to do things like the Rosslare route as well as spending a day in Dublin itself.

I had investigated the possibility of taking the ferry on the Fishguard - Rosslare route in one direction, but unfortunately the rail connections don't work for it - the ferries all connect either at Fishguard or Rosslare with a train, but not with both.

The Derry line, Belfast - Dublin and Dublin - Rosslare routes all sound like routes I'd enjoy, thanks for the recommendations!

Is the upgrade to first class on Enterprise worth paying for, or am I better off going in standard?

I visited Titanic Belfast a few years ago as part of a family trip and agree that it's excellent. Also excellent was Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast. Apart from those two in Belfast, and a trip by car to the Giants Causeway and to the edge of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland is completely unexplored for me.

I'll take a look at the RSPI mueum in Whitehead. I had also looked at the Downpatrick and County Down railway, but that appears to be closed at present.

It was the threat of the 4000 Euro fine that had me concerned about the locator form, of course knowing my luck the one time I relied on them not checking the forms would be the one time they actually bothered to check.

Thanks again for all the recommendations!

 

[Elwyn]

I have travelled by air from Belfast to Bournemouth once, and to Edinburgh 3 times in the past 4 months. All domestic flights. There’s no additional Covid security issues or paperwork. Same as pre-covid. Can’t speak for travelling from GB directly to the Republic, or by sea. There are not currently any checks crossing to the Republic. We drive across the border all the time.

Regards upgrading to 1st class on the Enterprise, I haven’t done it since Covid came in but the normal set up is/was that the front 2 coaches (Dublin end of the train) next to the buffet car are 1st class. Table for 4 on one side, table for 2 on the other. Plenty of leg room. Free newspapers and soft drinks just after boarding. Table service for other drinks and meals. I liked it and used it all the time. But the food and drink service was withdrawn for a while during COVID and so it’d be best to check with NIR as to exactly what is on offer at present, and whether they have any special Covid rules. As we know these can vary all the time. Incidentally, the trains take payment on board in both euros & sterling.

There was a period recently when pubs and restaurants in the Republic were still closed due to Covid but open in the north and consequently all the Enterprise trains were completely full. So 1st class then would have been a blessing. But pubs and restaurants in the Republic are open again now (provided you have proof of double vaccination) so that has eased things a lot. But the trains are reportedly still fairly busy.

 

[hexagon789]

provided you have proof of double vaccination

I understand this is also required for travel to the Republic, ie you can be asked for such proof.

 

[Ianno87]

I stayed at the Rosslare Port Lodge before a morning ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard. It was basic, but very cheap and only a short and pleasant walk from the Port/Station.

It worked out considerably cheaper to get a €5 Advance from Dublin and then stay in Rosslare than to stay overnight in Dublin!

 

[Djgr]

You don't mention it but it is a long walk from the ferry terminal to the city centre in Belfast. In my two time experience there are shared taxis waiting. If you want to jump on the rails straight away you will come to York Road station first before you hit the city centre traffic.

 

[Romilly]

I agree that you don't want to be doing the walk from Belfast port into the city centre. Apart from taxis, there is the Translink metro 96 bus, but do check the online timetable as it is a limited service.

 

[185143]

I agree that you don't want to be doing the walk from Belfast port into the city centre. Apart from taxis, there is the Translink metro 96 bus, but do check the online timetable as it is a limited service.

It connects with Birkenhead day ferries at least, not sure about the Cairnryan ones.

 

[DanNCL]

I have travelled by air from Belfast to Bournemouth once, and to Edinburgh 3 times in the past 4 months. All domestic flights. There’s no additional Covid security issues or paperwork. Same as pre-covid. Can’t speak for travelling from GB directly to the Republic, or by sea. There are not currently any checks crossing to the Republic. We drive across the border all the time.

This is handy to know, thanks. I'm always on the very cautious side when it comes to things like this which is why I wanted to ask about the locator form.

Regards upgrading to 1st class on the Enterprise, I haven’t done it since Covid came in but the normal set up is/was that the front 2 coaches (Dublin end of the train) next to the buffet car are 1st class. Table for 4 on one side, table for 2 on the other. Plenty of leg room. Free newspapers and soft drinks just after boarding. Table service for other drinks and meals. I liked it and used it all the time. But the food and drink service was withdrawn for a while during COVID and so it’d be best to check with NIR as to exactly what is on offer at present, and whether they have any special Covid rules. As we know these can vary all the time. Incidentally, the trains take payment on board in both euros & sterling.

Sounds like it's worth the upgrade then if it's cheap enough, even without the food and drink service if that's still suspended.

There was a period recently when pubs and restaurants in the Republic were still closed due to Covid but open in the north and consequently all the Enterprise trains were completely full. So 1st class then would have been a blessing. But pubs and restaurants in the Republic are open again now (provided you have proof of double vaccination) so that has eased things a lot. But the trains are reportedly still fairly busy.

I understand this is also required for travel to the Republic, ie you can be asked for such proof.

Proof of double vaccination won't be an issue as I'll have that sorted by the time I go.

I stayed at the Rosslare Port Lodge before a morning ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard. It was basic, but very cheap and only a short and pleasant walk from the Port/Station.

It worked out considerably cheaper to get a €5 Advance from Dublin and then stay in Rosslare than to stay overnight in Dublin!

I had noticed that Dublin hotels are generally on the pricey side. If I decide to stay overnight in the republic I'll definitely look at options involving staying further out from Dublin, thanks for the tip!

You don't mention it but it is a long walk from the ferry terminal to the city centre in Belfast. In my two time experience there are shared taxis waiting. If you want to jump on the rails straight away you will come to York Road station first before you hit the city centre traffic.

I agree that you don't want to be doing the walk from Belfast port into the city centre. Apart from taxis, there is the Translink metro 96 bus, but do check the online timetable as it is a limited service.

I'll probably take a taxi to and from the terminal in Belfast. How easy is it to get a taxi in Belfast City Centre?

 

[Elwyn]

I'll probably take a taxi to and from the terminal in Belfast. How easy is it to get a taxi in Belfast City Centre?

Very easy. They are everywhere. And at the main rail stations such as Belfast Central (Lanyon Place) and Gt Victoria St there are pick up handsets to summon taxis, plus there are often taxis sitting waiting anyway.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum is superb. Close to Cultra station on the Bangor line.
Also the Crown Liquor Saloon at 46 Great Victoria Street opposite the Europa Buscentre, even if you're not normally into pubs and alcohol. The riot of Victorian decoration needs to be seen to be believed. A more basic but still fascinating pub is the Fort bar at 25-27 Springfield Road. Don't let the location put you off - people were very friendly when I went there.

 

[Techniquest]

I don't know what your plans are like for sure, but when I did Northern Ireland some years ago I did all the furthest out parts in one go. I'll have to do the branch out of Coleraine again one day, to visit Giant's Causeway which I wasn't interested in at the time, but I didn't personally see the need to overnight up there.

It's a nice ride up to Derry/Londonderry, but there's better to be found in the Republic. The line to Rosslare is better for one example, and I still like the ride out to Westport.

The Enterprise, I've only ever done it north of the border, but they're nice trains. My Mum once did it through from Dublin to Belfast and back, she couldn't praise the train up enough! I'd not waste the money on the upgrade, unless it's pennies of difference, then go for it. I'm saying I've never done the Enterprise south of the border, but I have just encountered a memory at Connolly involving the Enterprise. So now I'm not sure.

I can't comment on the tourism stuff in Northern Ireland, when I went there were still NIR Thumpers and 80 Class units in operation. They were far and away my primary interest, as well as track and station visiting that is. I can advise though that the walk to the ferry terminal is not fun and highly recommended against. I did it from York Road, in the middle of the night. Aside from being creeped out basically all the way, it takes a fair bit of time and it's not worth scrimping out on the taxi fare.

Regarding Rosslare rail connections, they've been dire for years. Quite, you've reminded me that the station for the ferry terminal has moved now, so it's further to walk but it's one I'd like to get re-done one day. I seem to recall it's a short taxi ride into Rosslare itself where connections are better. Worth looking into at least.

Dublin can be hugely expensive to stay in, so do shop around and be prepared to get a hotel well away from the city itself. Fortunately, in my past experience at least, the tram system is very good so you should be OK to get to a lot of places. The city bus network, again in past experience, is huge and could come in handy. I've no idea what the restrictions are like over there these days, but my sister lives in Dublin and it has been tough going, seems they were stricter on stuff than we were in England. Hopefully it won't be an issue on your trip.

Two last insights, very quickly, from me are that I enjoyed the railways in the Republic more than in Northern Ireland. Some of that was down to having a strange feeling about Belfast it's been ingrained since childhood so that doesn't really help. Also not helped by my first experience of Ireland was Dublin way back in December 2002, and I loved it!

Final thought, if you're travelling over from the Newcastle direction, I'm surprised you're not doing the ferry from Scotland. Mind you, when I did NI I used the Stranraer route to travel to Wiltshire. It does make for a mighty long travel day though, by the time one gets to the end of the journey it can feel exhausting and less of a holiday. All that being said, I'd be interested in finding out what the ferry from Birkenhead is like!

 

[DanNCL]

One further question, what is the shortest journey possible from Dublin on one of the CAF hauled sets on the Dublin-Cork route? Would I be right in thinking that Portlaoise is the first stop for most of these services?

Very easy. They are everywhere. And at the main rail stations such as Belfast Central (Lanyon Place) and Gt Victoria St there are pick up handsets to summon taxis, plus there are often taxis sitting waiting anyway.

Excellent, I don't need to worry about finding taxis then! Thanks!

The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum is superb. Close to Cultra station on the Bangor line.

On the to do list!

Also the Crown Liquor Saloon at 46 Great Victoria Street opposite the Europa Buscentre, even if you're not normally into pubs and alcohol. The riot of Victorian decoration needs to be seen to be believed. A more basic but still fascinating pub is the Fort bar at 25-27 Springfield Road. Don't let the location put you off - people were very friendly when I went there.

Pubs aren't normally for me, but the Victorian decoration definitely sounds like it is, so probably worth me making a visit for that, thanks for the recommendation!

I don't know what your plans are like for sure, but when I did Northern Ireland some years ago I did all the furthest out parts in one go. I'll have to do the branch out of Coleraine again one day, to visit Giant's Causeway which I wasn't interested in at the time, but I didn't personally see the need to overnight up there.

It's a nice ride up to Derry/Londonderry, but there's better to be found in the Republic. The line to Rosslare is better for one example, and I still like the ride out to Westport.

Two last insights, very quickly, from me are that I enjoyed the railways in the Republic more than in Northern Ireland. Some of that was down to having a strange feeling about Belfast it's been ingrained since childhood so that doesn't really help. Also not helped by my first experience of Ireland was Dublin way back in December 2002, and I loved it!

I've heard similar about the railways in NI vs the Republic before, which was a significant factor in me wanting to do NI first as then I can't get there and be underwhelmed by it after doing the Republic. I've briefly visited NI before (though made only one short train trip within Belfast), but the Republic is completed unexplored for me.

Next year I am hoping to have the time and funds to do a longer trip focussing on the Republic, visiting the further out parts of the network such as Sligo, Westport, Cork and Tralee, but unfortunately I don't have the time free to do a long enough trip to include all of that this year.

The Enterprise, I've only ever done it north of the border, but they're nice trains. My Mum once did it through from Dublin to Belfast and back, she couldn't praise the train up enough! I'd not waste the money on the upgrade, unless it's pennies of difference, then go for it. I'm saying I've never done the Enterprise south of the border, but I have just encountered a memory at Connolly involving the Enterprise. So now I'm not sure.

I'll probably work on the basis of upgrading if the difference is less than £10 then, thanks for the advice.

Dublin can be hugely expensive to stay in, so do shop around and be prepared to get a hotel well away from the city itself. Fortunately, in my past experience at least, the tram system is very good so you should be OK to get to a lot of places. The city bus network, again in past experience, is huge and could come in handy. I've no idea what the restrictions are like over there these days, but my sister lives in Dublin and it has been tough going, seems they were stricter on stuff than we were in England. Hopefully it won't be an issue on your trip.

I'll definitely shop around to see what I can find in the surrounding area. So long as it's within half hour-45 minutes of the centre of Dublin and it's not in a rough area I'd be happy!

Regarding Rosslare rail connections, they've been dire for years. Quite, you've reminded me that the station for the ferry terminal has moved now, so it's further to walk but it's one I'd like to get re-done one day. I seem to recall it's a short taxi ride into Rosslare itself where connections are better. Worth looking into at least.

Unfortunately there aren't any extra services to Rosslare Strand, everything (bar one service that only goes as far as Wexford) runs through to Rosslare Europort. The timings at the Fishguard end were the ones that posed more of a problem when I looked them up the other day, though the Rosslare timings weren't great either.

Final thought, if you're travelling over from the Newcastle direction, I'm surprised you're not doing the ferry from Scotland. Mind you, when I did NI I used the Stranraer route to travel to Wiltshire. It does make for a mighty long travel day though, by the time one gets to the end of the journey it can feel exhausting and less of a holiday. All that being said, I'd be interested in finding out what the ferry from Birkenhead is like!

I ruled out the route via Cairnryan quite early on. My local station is Chester-le-Street, so I can reach Birkenhead with just one change onto Merseyrail at Liverpool Lime Street, whereas Cairnryan requires train changes in Newcastle and Glasgow, as well as a bus connection from Ayr or Girvan. The final thing that ruled it out for me was the ScotRail strikes on Sundays, as because of my work schedule I'd likely need to travel out on a Sunday.

I will be sure to write up a full trip report for my Irish trip afterwards, however the trip may pan out!

 

[hexagon789]

One further question, what is the shortest journey possible from Dublin on one of the CAF hauled sets on the Dublin-Cork route? Would I be right in thinking that Portlaoise is the first stop for most of these services?

Yes, though a handful are non-stop to Thurles in the afternoon period (1500, 1600 and 1700 departures off Hueston) from memory.

I do have a list of loco-hauled workings, but I've not got round to checking it against the present situation so it could well be out of date but I can easily verify a specific working if you wish.

 

[bangor-toad]

Hi there,
I can offer some local suggestions on things to do.

As already mentioned, do get an iLink card for your travel around NI. Get it ordered now and delivered to you at home so it can be used as soon as you arrive. The Birkenhead ferry arrives early and it's easy to just tap in on the bus or at the station without having to mess about.
The bus timing is usually pretty good if the ferry arrival is on time - if not there are plenty of taxis.

The Whitehead Railway museum is open but the Downpatrick railway doesn't seem to have reopened yet.
There is also a small museum in Londonderry/Derry. It's the Foyle Railway Museum but getting any information about it is really hard.
The Transport Museum is great - do make sure you check out all the halls and exhibits.
Sadly though there's not a huge variety of preserved railways in NI.

If you do travel to Londonderry/Derry, get the train one way and the Goldline coach the other (all included on the iLink card). The trip over Glenshane pass can be quite scenic.
I would recommend looking at a map before any rail journey and work out which side will face the coast. That's almost always the more interesting side. On the line south of Belfast I'd recommend sitting so you can look out to the west.


If you like miniature railways check out Drunawhey Junction Railway. https://www.drumawhey.com/
It's a surprisingly complex miniature rail system in a field in the middle of nowhere. If you want to go there it's fairly long walk from the nearest bus stop (not recommended) or you can easily get a taxi from Bangor station.

If you like cycling, hire a bike. There are 'Belfast Bikes' which are the fairly standard city rental machines. There are some decent enough rides around Belfast, along the river Lagan or on the Comber Greenway (an old rail route). If you want a bit more interest, hire a basic mountain bike and check out the path along Belfast Lough from Holywood. There are few other places where you can watch trains, planes and ferries without moving!

As mentioned, the Titanic Belfast exhibition is good. If you go, do walk up the path further past the Titanic Studios to HMS Caroline. The ship is worth going on but if you don't like that the walk is interesting in itself - and you can get the Glider bus back from the far end.

Have a good trip!
Mr Toad

 

[Elwyn]

The Foyle Railway Museum in Derry/Londonderry has been closed for some time. Apart from locked buildings and some derelict track there’s not really anything to see. (If you get the free shuttle bus from Waterside station to the city centre), it passes the remains of the museum. You'll see it from the bus as it goes over the Craigavon Bridge).

The Downpatrick Railway is the only preserved railway in NI (and there aren’t many in the Republic). Apart from static exhibits at the Cultra Transport museum, the RPSI is really the only other heritage rail venue in NI. They have a museum (self guided at present), plus on certain days brake van rides within the site, usually steam hauled. It has a mainline connection and normally in the summer there would be about 1 mainline run a week, with their own steam loco (they have about 4 operational at any one time, normally split between Belfast & Dublin) and their own stock (some of which are former Gatwick Express carriages), to places like Dublin, Portrush or Jazz Trains to Scarva but these have been suspended for the past 18 months. Their latest newsletter says they are hoping to get clearance for mainline running again in September. The mainline runs are good value being much cheaper than their GB equivalents. (The last time I went to Portrush the fare was something like £28. If you go all the way from Whitehead to Belfast, then on to Portrush & return, that’s about 5 hours of steam haulage. For £28.).

I’d suggest booking ahead for accommodation at the moment. With folk staycationing in Britain & Ireland this summer, Northern Ireland has been stuffed with British and Irish visitors, and I have heard of people without bookings being turned away from hotels and camp sites. Might not be so bad in September but it’s been a problem in some places in the past 8 weeks.

The Crown is worth visiting even if you don’t go to pubs much. It is a fine building (and just opposite the entrance to Gt Victoria St station). You don’t need to buy a drink. Loads of tourists come in, take 2 or 3 selfies and then just leave. But if you do want a drink or a meal there at present you have to book. Its booked solid due to the volume of tourists and Covid precautions which mean no standing and so they have much less space available.

 

[DanNCL]

Thanks again for all of the replies. I'll keep the thread updated with travel plans, and I'll do a full trip report after the trip too.

As already mentioned, do get an iLink card for your travel around NI. Get it ordered now and delivered to you at home so it can be used as soon as you arrive. The Birkenhead ferry arrives early and it's easy to just tap in on the bus or at the station without having to mess about.
The bus timing is usually pretty good if the ferry arrival is on time - if not there are plenty of taxis.

I will buy an iLink as soon as I've confirmed my travel dates, as I couldn't find any way on the Translink website without also buying a day pass on it at the same time.

The Whitehead Railway museum is open but the Downpatrick railway doesn't seem to have reopened yet.

the RPSI is really the only other heritage rail venue in NI. They have a museum (self guided at present), plus on certain days brake van rides within the site, usually steam hauled. It has a mainline connection and normally in the summer there would be about 1 mainline run a week, with their own steam loco (they have about 4 operational at any one time, normally split between Belfast & Dublin) and their own stock (some of which are former Gatwick Express carriages), to places like Dublin, Portrush or Jazz Trains to Scarva but these have been suspended for the past 18 months. Their latest newsletter says they are hoping to get clearance for mainline running again in September. The mainline runs are good value being much cheaper than their GB equivalents. (The last time I went to Portrush the fare was something like £28. If you go all the way from Whitehead to Belfast, then on to Portrush & return, that’s about 5 hours of steam haulage. For £28.).

Whitehead definitely sounds like it's worth a visit, thanks for the advice, I'll take a look at their mainline tours too if they'll be running again in September as that sounds pretty good! Do they do diesel tours too, or just steam?

If you do travel to Londonderry/Derry, get the train one way and the Goldline coach the other (all included on the iLink card). The trip over Glenshane pass can be quite scenic.
I would recommend looking at a map before any rail journey and work out which side will face the coast. That's almost always the more interesting side. On the line south of Belfast I'd recommend sitting so you can look out to the west.

What is the Goldline coach like? The thought of getting a coach in mainland GB usually fills me with dread, but I know coaches are a bit more popular in NI, so would definitely consider taking the coach one way if it's good.

If you like miniature railways check out Drunawhey Junction Railway. https://www.drumawhey.com/
It's a surprisingly complex miniature rail system in a field in the middle of nowhere. If you want to go there it's fairly long walk from the nearest bus stop (not recommended) or you can easily get a taxi from Bangor station.

That looks fantastic! I'll aim to include that in my intinerary if they're open!

If you like cycling, hire a bike. There are 'Belfast Bikes' which are the fairly standard city rental machines. There are some decent enough rides around Belfast, along the river Lagan or on the Comber Greenway (an old rail route). If you want a bit more interest, hire a basic mountain bike and check out the path along Belfast Lough from Holywood. There are few other places where you can watch trains, planes and ferries without moving!

I'll no doubt end up trying the Belfast Bikes!

I’d suggest booking ahead for accommodation at the moment. With folk staycationing in Britain & Ireland this summer, Northern Ireland has been stuffed with British and Irish visitors, and I have heard of people without bookings being turned away from hotels and camp sites. Might not be so bad in September but it’s been a problem in some places in the past 8 weeks.

I'll be booking all accomodation ahead.

 

[Elwyn]

The Goldline coaches are modern, reliable and comfortable. They have wifi and are clean. You’ll have no problem with them.

Yes the RPSI do occasional diesel tours too, but the emphasis is on steam. This from the RPSI website. Note that booking is mandatory at the moment (Covid control):

• 18th August 2021: We are continually getting asked about our mainline trains, plus Santa, etc. We hope to run at Halloween and Christmas, but we don't yet know if we can! When we do, details will be published here.

https://steamtrainsireland.com/trainsevents/programme-of-trains

The intended loco for the above rides is 3BG which used to operate in the Guinness depot in Dublin:

https://steamtrainsireland.com/rpsi-collection/2/no3bg-guinness

 

[DanNCL]

The Goldline coaches are modern, reliable and comfortable. They have wifi and are clean. You’ll have no problem with them.

Yes the RPSI do occasional diesel tours too, but the emphasis is on steam. This from the RPSI website. Note that booking is mandatory at the moment (Covid control):

• 18th August 2021: We are continually getting asked about our mainline trains, plus Santa, etc. We hope to run at Halloween and Christmas, but we don't yet know if we can! When we do, details will be published here.

https://steamtrainsireland.com/trainsevents/programme-of-trains

The intended loco for the above rides is 3BG which used to operate in the Guinness depot in Dublin:

https://steamtrainsireland.com/rpsi-collection/2/no3bg-guinness

Fabulous, I’ll definitely consider taking a Goldline coach one way then!

Thanks for the link to the RSPI tours too. I’ll take a look once I’ve booked my travel to/from Northern Ireland to see if they’re running anything whilst I’m there.

 

[danm14]

I will buy an iLink as soon as I've confirmed my travel dates, as I couldn't find any way on the Translink website without also buying a day pass on it at the same time.

Although you have to enter a specific date in the journey planner to buy one, you are not restricted to using it on that date. It is simply valid for one day (until midnight, not 24 hours), week or month from first use.

On Sundays, an iLink card is rarely the best option. An all-day bus "Rambler" ticket costing £9.50 is available after 9:15am, and an all-day train "Tracker" ticket costing £8 is available from first service. At 6:30pm, the bus ticket becomes valid on all trains; while the train ticket becomes valid on buses for journeys between places on (or within the reasonable catchment area of) the railway network.

These are paper tickets purchased on the day from the bus driver, train guard, ticket office or Glider ticket machine. Bus drivers take cash (notes and coins) only, the rest take both cash and card. Only ticket offices and machines give change - however a sizeable, and growing, number of drivers and guards are giving change in defiance of the no-change policy, some of whom have done so consistently from the day it was introduced "due to Covid"

 

[Aictos]

Fabulous, I’ll definitely consider taking a Goldline coach one way then!

Thanks for the link to the RSPI tours too. I’ll take a look once I’ve booked my travel to/from Northern Ireland to see if they’re running anything whilst I’m there.

Just one question about the Goldline coach but does it matter what side of the vehicle you sit for the views?

Also do they come with power plugs?

 

[Elwyn]

It doesn’t matter what side of the Goldliner coach you sit. The view is much the same both sides. I don’t recall ever seeing any plugs, though there might be some.

There are USB sockets on the trains. I have seen power sockets on the Enterprise, not certain about the CAF sets. If taking the train to Derry it is better to sit on the right hand side travelling north, left hand side if travelling south. The best bit is between Coleraine and Derry where you get the river Bann and then the sea views along the coast.

 

[DanNCL]

Although you have to enter a specific date in the journey planner to buy one, you are not restricted to using it on that date. It is simply valid for one day (until midnight, not 24 hours), week or month from first use.

On Sundays, an iLink card is rarely the best option. An all-day bus "Rambler" ticket costing £9.50 is available after 9:15am, and an all-day train "Tracker" ticket costing £8 is available from first service. At 6:30pm, the bus ticket becomes valid on all trains; while the train ticket becomes valid on buses for journeys between places on (or within the reasonable catchment area of) the railway network.

These are paper tickets purchased on the day from the bus driver, train guard, ticket office or Glider ticket machine. Bus drivers take cash (notes and coins) only, the rest take both cash and card. Only ticket offices and machines give change - however a sizeable, and growing, number of drivers and guards are giving change in defiance of the no-change policy, some of whom have done so consistently from the day it was introduced "due to Covid"

Useful to know, thanks!

 

[185143]

It doesn’t matter what side of the Goldliner coach you sit. The view is much the same both sides. I don’t recall ever seeing any plugs, though there might be some.

There are USB sockets on the trains. I have seen power sockets on the Enterprise, not certain about the CAF sets. If taking the train to Derry it is better to sit on the right hand side travelling north, left hand side if travelling south. The best bit is between Coleraine and Derry where you get the river Bann and then the sea views along the coast.

Some of the CAF stock had USBs when I went in October. But there's no consistency between the 3000 and 4000 classes so I suspect they're being added gradually.

 

[DanNCL]

I just want to give an overdue update to this thread. Unfortunately because of circumstances at home I've been forced to postpone this trip until early next year.

Thank you to everyone who's contributed to this thread. I am hoping to carry forward roughly the same itinerary as originally planned to the rescheduled trip next year, although if I can make the trip longer than originally planned and fit in more of the Republic I will.

I'll keep the thread updated as I become able to make more detailed plans for this trip in the coming weeks and months, and of course when I finally get to make the trip I'll post a full trip report here!

 

[Techniquest]

Sorry to hear you've had to postpone the trip, fingers crossed circumstances improve quickly for you