11th August 1987 was the 40th anniversary of the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise Express. And on that date NIR chartered an RPSI train, hauled by GNR(I) V Class Compound No.85 "Merlin". The trip was made non-stop from Belfast Central to Dublin Connolly in slightly better than the 1947 time. NIR's guests travelled in the Society's ex GNR(I) Directors' Saloon to Dublin. They returned by a special NIR train hauled by GM 113. The RPSI's passengers returned behind No.85, but had the added bonus of being double-headed by GNR(I) S Class No.171 "Slieve Gullion" from Dundalk. No.171 had been stationed at the latter location in case No.85 had problems on the morning special.
