RPSI offshoot Heritage Engineering Ireland completed the retube of the society’s LMS-NCC ‘WT’ No. 4 at Connolly shed during late November, ensuring the 2-6-4T was fit and ready for the sell-out ‘Santa Special’ season.
No. 4 passed its steam test on November 28 in time for the first weekend of Dublin to Maynooth ‘Santas’ on December 2-3, then subsequent weekends of 9-10 and 16-17.
Three return departures operated on each Saturday: the 10.15 and 13.45 being worked by the ‘Jeep’ and the 16.30 being diesel hauled.
The first Sunday (3rd) saw only two return workings, both hauled by No. 4. However, the following two Sundays had three departures – 10.45, 14.00 and 17.05 – the final trains being handled by an Iarnród Éireann Class 071.
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