RPSI St Patrick Weekend steam

[GM078]

Might be of interest to anyone in the Belfast area looking for something other than a railcar set...

STEAM TRIALS

16th & 17th March

A series of test trains is being run over two days. Both locomotives, No.186 and
No.461, will be in steam at various times over the weekend.

The reason for the tests is twofold: further running-in tests for No.461 and
training for the new firemen.

The proviso is that the full schedule may not be
completed.

There will be a single fare each day (£15, to be paid on board) for all-day
travel, or any part thereof.

SATURDAY

Whitehead Excursion 11:03 13:15 15:47
Carrickfergus 11:18
Belfast Central 11:41 13:54 16:25

Belfast Central 12:05 14:27 16:38
Carrickfergus 17:02
Whitehead Excursion 12:41 15:09 17:16

SUNDAY

Whitehead Excursion 10:02 13:00 16:00
Carrickfergus 10:17
Belfast Central 10:56 16:40
Lisburn 11:18 14:04 17:03

Lisburn 11:35 14:33 17:16
Belfast Central 12:05 15:06 17:38
Carrickfergus 18:01
Whitehead Excursion 12:40 15:43 18:16

 

[PFX]

If anyone is heading to Downpatrick for the St Patrick's Day celebrations, the DCDR is running a park and ride from Inch Abbey to the town centre on 17th from 12:00 until 17:00.

Traction for the day will be diesel.

 

[GM078]

This weekend's Steam Trials saw the return to the mainline of a once common sight in Ireland that hasn't been seen almost in five years... an ex-IÉ mkIId coach! Former IÉ standard No.5203, now numbered 303, had her first trip in since withdrawl of the fleet in 2008. Also entering RPSI service was former BR brake first 17091, now bearing the RPSI number 463, and fitted with a generator.

Some pics here:

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/news/