First ever passenger hauled 201 train to Rosslare Europort - RPSI's 201@30 Railtour, 15/06/2024

On Saturday the 15th of June 2024, the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland ran quite a special railtour to mark the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the 201 class locomotives, which were introduced in 1994.
This would also be the first time that a passenger hauled 201 train would traverse the entire Rosslare line to Rosslare Europort.
The started off at Dublin Heuston Station with 071 class loco number 084 hauling the train to Kildare, from there 219 would work the train from Kildare - Rosslare Europort, then Rosslare Europort - Dublin Connolly.
Locations filmed:
Old Dunleary Road
The Murrough, Wicklow
Arklow, Co. Wicklow
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Enniscorthy Viaduct, Co. Wexford
Ferrycarrig, Co. Wexford
Grange Road, Rosslare Strand, Co. Wexford
Rosslare Strand
Rosslare Europort
Wexford Town
Slaney Bridge, Co. Wexford
Please feel free to comment, like & subscribe.

[@mickfromleitrim]

That was great, thanks. Quite the drive too, seriously well done capturing all those locations. I think it's my favourite line, I really must get over there more. Thanks again

[@Drumm3rB0y]

Absolutely fantastic I was a volunteer steward on board

[@paulbelfastlimerick]

Brilliant compilation and nice to see the turntable at Rosslare Harbour looking so well. It's still a disgrace that the rail head was moved away from the integrated ferry terminal, about fifteen years ago now, and of course that the direct services from Limerick and Waterford ceased! P.S. I hope that video on the quays in Wexford wasn't shot from a left-hand drive car😅

[@SouthCoastTrainspotter]

Great video, Impressive to get so many locations in one day!

[@qwertyTRiG]

What route did it take from Kildare to Rosslare? The Phoenix Park tunnel?

[@toyotaprius79]

Just a shame there was no steam loco pulling the train. Seems obvious (besides cost) but wouldn't the Irish Steam Preservation society not benefit from running an auxiliary push-pull GM diesel on the back. Or even acquire a battery powered tenders ?

[@theaccountofmine.8779]

It’s literally the one line with a turn table at the end, so why push-pull? If it’s in the event of a failure, I think the money could be spent than building a battery tender. “Here’s enough funding to have an auxiliary system because we know you’re going to fail.” Yeah, I’d rather they just sort their crap out instead, like learning how to communicate properly during failures.

[@RYNT1157]

Brilliant video of a unique occasion and the weather was good too.👍👍

[@oceanfroggie]

Really excellent Video composition. Holy cow, I didn't think a 201 could fit on that turn table, how did the table cope with the weight of the 201, my brain was thinking wow they are going to turn her, but why as dual cab modern era diesel electric loco would they need to! Would love to do that trip some day on a proper steam train.

[@jarekk.5609]

Hi. I like Your videos. Could You give me a good location and time to spot a class 071 in Dublin or around please. Thank You.

[@nigelbarlow3506]

Fantastic video. The planning must have been v detailed. Many thanks for sharing. Now a 201 to the West!

[@twinboo529]

I was on this; I found it odd how quiet it was at Rosslare Harbour though, especially on a summer afternoon.

[@stephenh4965]

Nice work Stevie seen you with the camera in the car as we where crossing the quays

[@GhastsLover]

nice video, i saw it at Glenealy (for like the 100th time tbh)

[@RailVideosNI]

Another fantastic video

[@travelbyplanestrainsandcruise]

Great video 🫡☘

[@RailsandSky]

Great video. Very well done.

[@presidentxd]

Shame the 201s never had a supertrain livery

[@mikecasey218]

Brilliantly filmed...

[@maltipoomadness8807]

Nice work Stephen

[@ciaranburke3243]

Deadly 👍

[@MervynPartin]

Fascinating on several counts:- Coaches with seats at the windows- reminiscent of the days when train travel was comfortable and you could watch the scenery! The coaches looked like they had B4 bogies. Were they British built? Do they belong to the RPSI or were they chartered? When I saw the turntable, for a moment I thought that they were going to turn a twin-cabbed loco. I hope that the tour was a success- the weather was good and the route looked very interesting.

[@thomasburke2683]

The passenger coaches were built by Cravens of Sheffield 1963-1967. They were built with B 4 bogies from new. The generator/steam van (GSV) for heating and lighting etc, was originally built for BR as a MK1 coach between late 1950s and early 60s, then converted to GSV by British Rail Engineering Ltd (BREL) for CIE in 1971, when they were fitted with B4 bogies. The Railway preservation society of Ireland acquired these vehicles from Irish Rail when the latter ceased using them about 2006. Whether they were sold or donated, I don't know.

[@MervynPartin]

@@thomasburke2683 Thanks for the info...Cheers