17th March 1967

Irish Railway Record Society
(St. Patrick's Day Excursion)

Route :

Notes :
(1) Extracted from Irish Railfans News, April 1967; The IRRS chartered a Radio Train for its St. Patrick’s Day Outing on 17 March. The train traversed the Thurles-Clonmel, Charleville-Patrickswell and Silvermines branches, returning to Dublin via Nenagh. It was composed of LV, 12-wheel diner 353, 3 Cravens, compo, studio coach RS25 and HV, hauled throughout by B187. Excellent timekeeping all the way enabled all scheduled photographic stops to be made, as well as a few extra ones! It was necessary to leave 353 at Birdhill before the run to Silvermines, the loop there being too short to accommodate the complete train. Despite the shunting necessary to pick up 353 on the return to Birdhill, the train was 9½ minutes early on arrival at Connolly Station. Passengers’ enjoyment of an excellent trip was enhanced by the special Radio Train commentary, and also by the high standard of the dining car service.
(2) The tour was covering the Thurles-Clonmel and Charleville-Patrickswell branches which were both due to close on March 25th 1967. Passengers from Cork were to use the 07.40 service train from Cork to join the tour at Thurles, leavign the tour at Port Laoise to join the 19.44 changing at Mallow to reach Cork at 22.50. Limerick Passengers were to use the 08.40 to Limerick Junction and join the 07.40 ex-Cork service to join the tour at Thurles. On the return they were to leave at Ballybrophy and join the 19.30 for Limerick, arriving at 20.55

Source : Richard Maund (travelled on the tour)

Timings (Booked Only)
(from Richard Maund)

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