However, 461's power will also be useful going up Mossley and Ballyboyland on the Portrush Flyer.
Indeed. Though if anyone likes hearing steam engines climbing hills, the climb up Rathdrum back on the DSER (probably with 7-8 bogies) is worth hearing. Then on the MGWR there's Glasnevin bank (especially challenging on a 9 bogie Santa Special!), so 461 will certainly get a chance to stretch her wheels next year!
461 was out today on a test run, meanwhile in Dublin Cravens carriage 1506 had her first preservation era mainline run on Friday evening, so all in all a busy weekend in terms of preserved Irish stock returning to the rails.