The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland take passengers on a special two day trip.
A steam train departs Connolly Station in Dublin for Sligo on 31 May 1975, travelling via Mullingar, Athlone and Claremorris. Following an overnight stay in Sligo the special train returns to Dublin through Claremorris, Athlone and Portarlington. In all, the tour covers approximately 604 kilometres.
The two day rail tour is organised by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland using their own train and two steam locomotives. Each of the 230 enthusiasts on the fully booked tour has paid £13 for a ticket.
The main attraction is the chance to travel behind steam over the 'Burma Road'. This is the nickname given by railwaymen to the 50 mile long goods only single track stretch of railway between Claremorris and Collooney junction just outside Sligo. Over this section, the train is hauled by the Railway Preservation Society preserved steam locomotive No 186. On the longer run between Dublin and Claremorris, a second, stronger society engine, No 171, ‘Slieve Gullion’, hauls the train.
No 186 was presented to the Railway Preservation Society by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) after the company phased out steam locomotion out in the early 1960s. No 171 was saved by the society in 1966. Since preservation, both locomotives have had a lot of mechanical attention from Railway Preservation Society members.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 June 1975.
