"The Premier Rose" - Dublin Connolly-Tralee-Return 20th August 2022

[GM078]

'The Premier Rose', will take place on Saturday 20th August 2022. This will be a day out from Dublin to Kerry, with an option of a four hour break in Killarney or two hours at the line's end in Tralee. For rail enthusiasts, this is a very rare chance to travel by locomotive-worked train on the scenic Kerry branch line. Not only that, it is an even rarer opporunity to travel in mkIV pushpull carriages off the Cork mainline, including both the Kerry line and the Connolly-Islandbridge Junction line across north Dublin. Neither of these lines normally see locomotive-worked passenger services so this will be a true treat. The locomotive will be a member of the EMD-built 201 class locomotives, which these days are a very rare visitor to the Tralee line.



Any profit raised from the running of this railtour will be donated by our railtour committee to voluntary-run heritage railways across Ireland, which have lost up to two years of revenue during the pandemic. These will include the Cavan & Leitrim Railway, the Downpatrick & County Down Railway, and three other groups that we currently in talks with.



The name of the tour, 'The Premier Rose', reflects both the heritage of the former Great Southern & Western Railway over which we will travel, known as Ireland's 'premier line', and the famous Rose of Tralee festival, set to commence in the titular town the weekend of our visit.



Times:



Dept Connolly 10:00, return for 21:30

Dept Mallow 12:15 approx, return for 19:15 approx.

404 | Táilte Tours

www.tailtetours.com

 

[D6130]

This looks rather attractive. I've put the date in my diary and will consult the wife.

 

[GM078]

This looks rather attractive. I've put the date in my diary and will consult the wife.

I *think* the only previous times a mkIV set has worked through to Tralee with passengers has been for GAA specials a few years ago, plus one or two private charters to Killarney. Has never happened on a service train to my knowledge.

 

[GM078]

Just as an update, pick up/set down stops have been added for Portarlington and Portlaoise.

 

[GM078]

As a little update, the heritage groups being supported by this tour can now be confirmed as follows:

- Stradbally Woodland Railway
- Cavan & Leitrim Railway
- Downpatrick & County Down Railway
- Belturbet Heritage Railway Station
- Donegal Railway Heritage Centre

First Class is almost full, with only 6 seats remaining as of this afternoon.

 

[GM078]

Quick update, First Class is now officially sold out. https://www.tailtetours.com/events/the-premier-rose-railtour

 

[GM078]

Following requests, we're looking at the possibility of a Kildare pickup/set down for this, if anyone would be interested in this option email [email protected] or PM me here.

 

[GM078]

We've just had 2 extra First Class seats become available, when they're gone they're gone: https://www.tailtetours.com/events/the-premier-rose-railtour

 

[GM078]

Following the diesel railtour to Kerry on the Saturday, on Sunday 21st August we have organised a special outing to the Cavan and Leitrim Railway at Dromod. This will include some special workings involving their beautifully restored Avonside steam locomotive "Nancy" and former Bord na Móna diesel No.LM114 "Joe St Ledger". Normally there is only one loco used at Dromod on a running day so this a rare chance to get two engines for haulage on the line on the same date.

Travel to and from Dromod will be by Iarnród Éireann service train, with an afternoon departure from Dublin allowing participants a chance of a lie-in after the previous day's trip.

For those wishing to travel on both tours and make a weekend of it, a special combo rate ticket is available, at €120 all-in this is incredible value for a two day railtour; indeed it's less than that charged for many one day railtours in Great Britain.


https://www.tailtetours.com/events/the- ... e-railtour

 

[GM078]

Bookings are due close this week as we finalise plans, available from https://www.tailtetours.com/events/the-premier-rose-railtour

 

[GM078]

Outline timings:

Dept Dublin Connolly 10:00, return for 21:59

Dept Portarlington 10:46, return for 21:01

Dept Portlaoise 10:57, return for 20:50

Dept Mallow 12:15 approx, return for 19:15 approx.

Arrive Killarney 13:35 approx, depart 18:15

Arrive Tralee 14:20 approx, dept 17:40

404 | Táilte Tours

www.tailtetours.com

Proof artwork for the complimentary badges being given to First Class and Rose Class passengers. (some slight tweaks to be made).

 

[GM078]

Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail have informed us that due to works arising on the line, the train will need to leave Dublin Connolly earlier at 09:20.


Accordingly, the pick ups will change as follows:



Kildare is now 09:57

Portarlington is now 10:10

Portlaoise is now 10:21

Mallow is now 12:06.


Our sincere apologies for this, we had tried to keep it the original departure time but unfortunately due these to engineering works we have been advised this is no longer possible. Tickets can still be booked at www.tailtetours.com (free badge set with 'Rose Class').