Top Link Railtour (2009) - Whitehead Railway Museum

A special excursion to mark the retirement and to acknowledge the assistance over the years to the RPSI of driver Tony Renehan. Over several decades, the RPSI has been very fortunate to have had the services of a true ‘steam man’. Tony has been a stalwart supporter of the RPSI and over the years has ensured that many of our operations went without a hitch. Unfortunately, the time had come for Tony to retire from Iarnród Éireann and from the regulator of RPSI locomotives. Saturday 31st January: (4) Dublin Heuston - Cork. Sunday 1st February (4): Cork - Dublin Connolly - Belfast Central - Whitehead.

No.4 travelled south with the RPSI's Mark 2 carriage set from Whitehead-Dublin on Friday 30th January. Here she is crossing the Boyne viaduct at Drogheda. (E. Fahey)

A dull day (it was January!) as No.4 simmers in Connolly.

No.4, prepared and ready to depart. Dublin Connolly on Saturday 30th January. (E. Fahey)

The train was routed through Platform 10 at Islandbridge Junction. This unusual move was done so that a number of detonators could be placed on the track and nothing else would set them off first! (D. Kinsella)

The tour was routed into the loop at Sallins to allow Cork and Limerick trains to overtake. Here Loco Rep David Carse waits for the green light. (C.P. Friel)

Tony waves to well-wishers on the Down platform as the train regains the main line. The former goods shed, on the left, was once the Society’s Dublin area base. (C.P. Friel)

During the water stop at Portarlington, steam from the drain cocks is lit by the engine’s headlamps. You can sense the murky weather! (C.P. Friel)

Another atmospheric view at Portarlington.

The weather was still foggy and rainy during the water stop at the loop platform in Ballybrophy. (C.P. Friel)

The train ran into the loop at Thurles before taking water at the Down platform. (K. Murphy)

During the stop, Dick Fearn, Irish Rail Chief Executive, joined the footplate crew and enjoyed the warmth of the fire! (K. Murphy)

Guard Mark Tyrrell gives the right of way to back into Thurles platform to take water.

Tony keeps a sharp eye as he reverses the train to the Thurles Down platform. (C.P. Friel)

Tony and Dan at Thurles. (N. Ryan-Purcell)

No.4 steaming through Lisduff. (S. Cain)

At Limerick Junction, No.4 was turned by using the Direct Curve. Here it is heading for Keane’s Points on the Limerick branch. (C.P. Friel)

Tony (in the cab) and his brother Dan check on the driver’s side injector at Charleville. (C.P. Friel)

Taking more water in the loop platform at Charleville. (K. Murphy)

After a slide show in Cork, Gerry Mooney presented Tony with Life Membership of the Society. Here an embarrassed Tony gets a standing ovation from all (about 130) present. (C.P. Friel)

Gerry presents Tony with his certificate of Honorary Life Membership and tickets for a main line steam tour on the big island. (C.P. Friel)

Tony gives the youngsters (and Bill) the benefit of his experience.

After the overnight stay in Cork, Tony climbs onto No.4 for his last duty. (H. Stacpoole)

No.4 comes around the back of the station to gain the Dublin end of the train.

No.4 nearly ready to go.

Times for one last picture at Cork.

Back on the footplate, Dan and Tony are ready to go. (W. Marshall)

The awesome climb ahead.

Here No.4 ploughs through seemingly endless detonators as Tony and the locomotive heave the train into the steeply inclined tunnel. (C.P. Friel)

Continuing the long slog up the 1 in 60 above Kilbarry. Here the train has just crossed the Kilnap Viaduct with an attentive audience taking in every beat. (C.P. Friel)

Another water stop at Charleville and there was time for a family photo of the footplate guys. (C.P. Friel)

The water stop at Charleville.

At Thurles, these five timers celebrated 50 years of timing steam on the Cork main line. Left to right are RPSI Vice-chairman David, Eddie, Conrad, Norman and another Conrad. (C.P. Friel)

A general view of the train at Thurles. (C.P. Friel)

Fiona ‘manned’ the Society’s shop for books, DVDs and other goodies. (C.P. Friel)

In Diner 547 are Peter, Rita, Peter and Angela - they kept up a steady supply of burgers, rolls and soup as well as tea and coffee. (C.P. Friel)

There was a selection of cask ale too, overseen by Francis and Sean. (C.P. Friel)

A pause at Ballybrophy heading northbound. (P. Gantly)

Tony in the driver's seat. (H. Stacpoole)

Arriving at Portarlington for a water stop. (D. Kinsella)

At Portarlington, water was taken at the road overbridge at the Cork end of the station, blocking the Athlone branch. (K. Murphy)

After pulling forward to the Portarlington platform, another family photo. (C.P. Friel)

Tony and Dan deep in discussion. (C.P. Friel)

No.4 makes a fine sight crossing the River Barrow at Monasterevan Viaduct heading northbound. (D. Kinsella)

With special headboard clearly on show, No.4 passes milepost 42¼ heading northbound. (D. Kinsella)

This photo nicely captures No.4 at the south end of Kildare, heading north. (E. Fahey)

On the footplate, Dan was firing. (D. Stacpoole)

No.4 passing the Curragh heading northbound. (P. Gantly)

No.4 back at Dublin Connolly. (E. Fahey)

After arriving at Connolly, Tony was asked to autograph many a tour brochure and ticket. (C.P. Friel)

There were lots of handshakes - hardly a dry eye in the house. (C.P. Friel)

There are no fewer than four Renehan brothers in this! (C.P. Friel)

At Connolly, Tony hands over to Noel Playfair, his NIR Top Link counterpart.

Our last view of No.4 - taking water at Drogheda and impatient to tackle the climb to Kellystown and beyond. (C.P. Friel)