Inchicore 175 (2022)

On Saturday 7th May 2022, there was open day at Inchicore to celebrate (a year late) 175 years of the Works. The RPSI was there in force with No.85, B141 and, unveiled by the US Ambassador to Ireland, B134 in all the splendour of it original livery.

4/5/2022: NIR 112 had arrived in Dublin a few days previously and was stored in Connolly Shed. Here it has hauled No.85 and B141 out of the shed for the trip round to Inchicore. (G. Mooney)

4/5/2022: 087 shunts GS&WR all-first 1142 from the ramps to its exhibition location. (P. Rigney)

4/5/2022: Both catering cars (1514 & 1522) outside Inchicore Fleet Casualty 1 shop in preparation for the open day. They were used to good effect to serve refreshments to the public. (P. Rigney)

On the day itself, there was a great show. Here, two of the introductory panels can be seen. (C.P. Friel)

The RPSI's Bill Garrioch poses in front of No.85 on the Inchicore turntable. (C.P. Friel)

The first view by the general public of the restored B134. (C.P. Friel)

The fantastic finish on B134's cab end. (C.P. Friel)

Nearly 60 years since this livery has been seen. (C.P. Friel)

'Will I get to drive it?' RPSI member and Irish Rail steam driver Ken Fox. (C.P. Friel)

B134 with No.85 and friends. (C.P. Friel)

NIR (112) and Irish Rail (233) modern(ish) locomotive power was represented. (C.P. Friel)

Not all displays were glamorous - the RPSI's ex-BR generator van 3185 awaiting overhaul. (C.P. Friel)

Ceremony time - Irish Rail CME Peter Smyth starts the proceedings. (C.P. Friel)

The American Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, addresses the visitors. (M. Devlin)

The platform party, Claire Cronin speaking. (C.P. Friel)

The unveiling of B134. (C.P. Friel)

The Inchicore 175 plaque is revealed. (M. Devlin)

B134, with plaque unveiled. (C.P. Friel)

The plaque in all its glory. (F. Dempsey)

Superpower outside the running shed with 228, 4005, 232, 076. (C.P. Friel)

Buses were on display too! Leyland Leopard E152 from Donegal garage. (C.P. Friel)

216 and some of the carriages from the late-lamented Belmond train. (C.P. Friel)

The immaculate interior of one of the Society's Cravens carriages. (C.P. Friel)

One of the RPSI Cravens carriages set for dinner. (C.P. Friel)

GS&WR carriages - Saloon 351 and (just) all-first 1142. (C.P. Friel)

The chairs in Saloon 351 were popular. (C.P. Friel)

The RPSI's B141 on the traverser outside Fleet Casualty Repair 1. (C.P. Friel)

Gerard and John (x2) manning the RPSI shop. (C.P. Friel)

NIR's 3005 and IR 087 skulking in the bushes. (C.P. Friel)

Arrow 2805 and 078 about to enjoy a picnic in a sylvan spot. (C.P. Friel)

10/5/2022: The Connolly Shed cavalcade returns after its sojourn in Inchicore. (G. Mooney)

16/8/2022: Post-event gathering - the Inchicore 175 organising committee pose with the star of the show. (Courtesy P. Rigney)