Irish compound No.85 Merlin back on mainline!

The RPSI's GNR(I) V Class compund 4-4-0 No.85 'Merlin' returned to the mailing with some light engine trials on Sunday 9th March, followed by a loaded test run with their mkII carriages on Sunday 17th March.

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

The loco hasn't run on the mainline since 2004.

Great to see it back. Out of interest do they ever use that carriage without any opening windows on their tours now? If so it must be horrendous with no a/c and no way of letting fresh air in!

theageofthetra said:

Great to see it back. Out of interest do they ever use that carriage without any opening windows on their tours now? If so it must be horrendous with no a/c and no way of letting fresh air in!

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Yes, that would be 303, former IÉ mkIId 5203. She returned to service last year. The RPSI also have 5106 (to be renumbered 304), while presidential saloon 5408 is on lease to them. These three are the only survivors of the once strong IÉ mkIId fleet.

Well if thats is the case do they run the a/c off one of those gen vans there used to be in Ireland? Without it there is no way I would want to be travelling in them!

very sad that only 3 of these carriges were preserved, all though as a regular who has many happy memories of them and had them on my line up until 2003 many of them (probably most) were in a very sorry state, i suppose that was one of the reasons so few were preserved, the mark 1 cravens stock on the other hand were in better condition from my experience

The Whitehead (mk2) set has a ex-BR half brake (463)fitted with a genny, they also have an ex-IÉ 'Dutch' genny van No.462 (IÉ No.3158).

In Dublin a the RPSI have a set of Cravens, with two BR mk1 genny vans, 3185 in Inchicore and 3173 under overhaul at Mullingar. (As an aside the Cravens are probably more contemporary with mk2 stock than mk1s, both being early 1960s designs, although Ireland wouldn't get mk2s until the early 70s).

I'd agree that much of the IÉ mk2 fleet was beaten down by the mid-2000s, corrosion being a problem but this didn't affect the aluminium bodied Cravens - these were withdrawn in 2006, while the mk2ds, despite being 10 years younger, were finished off in 2008.

I miss the mk2s, particularly on my local Rosslare line, but am glad Cravens were saved as they are a unique Irish design, there will always be rakes (literally) of mk2s and mk3s in the UK.

GM078 said:

I'd agree that much of the IÉ mk2 fleet was beaten down by the mid-2000s, corrosion being a problem but this didn't affect the aluminium bodied Cravens - these were withdrawn in 2006, while the mk2ds, despite being 10 years younger, were finished off in 2008.

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yet commuter stock was the norm on the rosslare and sligo lines from 2003 at least, then i wouldn't expect anything else for us on the rosslare line

GM078 said:

I miss the mk2s, particularly on my local Rosslare line

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me also, they were very comfortable unlike the 2700 class heaps of junk that replaced them, the 2800s while very good as commuter stock was no better comfort wise

GM078 said:

am glad Cravens were saved as they are a unique Irish design

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so am i

GM078 said:

there will always be rakes (literally) of mk2s and mk3s in the UK.

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true, but their different interior wise to our mkiis i believe, its not the end of the world i'd agree but i suppose they just wouldn't give me the same experience even though they would still give me a good one, at least 3 are preserved, i'm greatful for that

The CIE mk 2s had very nice interiors. Similar seats to the Cravens, in a lovely dark green moquette. They were quite simply the best and most comfortable second class coaches ever to run in these islands.

Liked the seats in the mk2ds too. Also the wooden panelling, contributed to a nice atmosphere when travelling at night, something 'warm' about it. At least it lives on in 303.

Incidentally 85 is no stranger to mk2d stock, having worked them on a Dublin-Belfast special in 2004, and again on a Limerick Junction-Cork special in 1999.

No.85 "Merlin" Running-In Trips
Sunday 30th March

Be the first in 10 years to travel behind GNR(I) No.85 "Merlin". A series of trial trains are being run - open to all! There will be two return trips from Belfast Central to Whitehead (or three return trips from Whitehead to Belfast Central if you prefer).

Departures
Whitehead: 10:00, 12:15, 15:05
Belfast Central: 11:00, 13:25

Fare: £10 (Day ticket. Pay on the train on the day)

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/events/#runningin

Merlin has another running in trip on 4th May, this time from Belfast to Dundalk and back:

http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/events/

Reports indicate she's performing well and hopefully will break new ground for her class when she runs to Howth, Enfield and Kilkenny on the Three Day Tour 17th-19th May.