'The Midlander' railtour from Dublin to Maynooth - 20/6/2026 [4K]

This video features footage from Saturday 20th June, when the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland operated 'The Midlander' railtour, which consisted of 2 return trips from Dublin (Connolly) to Maynooth. The train was formed of the usual Cravens coaching stock, hauled by the beautiful steam locomotive No.171 'Slieve Gullion'. I took the train all the way from Coleraine to Dublin to see the railtour, and I travelled on the second run from Dublin to Maynooth and back. At the start of the video, C.I.É. 071 Class locomotive No.071 'Great Southern & Western' is seen arriving into platform 4 at Connolly station with the empty coaches from Inchicore Works on time at 10:56. It was a treat to see this locomotive as it is in a lovely retro livery with the C.I.É. logo on it. Then at 11:03 No.171 'Slieve Gullion' backs onto the train after coming out the sidings. No.171 is a Great Northern Railway S Class locomotive, that re-entered passenger service with the RPSI in December 2025, taking over from No.131, which is now in Whitehead. I got the train to Leixlip (Confey) station to see the train on its first outward journey to Maynooth. I filmed it from the road bridge just infront of the station. This bridge provides a view of the Dublin to Sligo line next to the Royal Canal. The train passed through at 11:56, unfortunately without much steam as it was coasting at the time. I then went to Claude Road footbridge in Drumcondra to catch it on the return journey, and it passed the bridge running tender-first 9 minutes early at 12:58. Then I travelled on the second run to Maynooth, and it is seen rounding a bend between Clonsilla and Leixlip (Confey). I filmed out the window but was careful to not have my head out too much as that is dangerous. Once at Maynooth, I went to the road bridge just infront of the station and filmed No.171 running light engine to get to the other side of the coaches for the return journey. This happened at 16:23 - 16:25. I also included more footage from out the window of the railtour when we were heading back to Dublin. Overall it was a very enjoyable day and I loved seeing No.171 in action and travelling behind it. Well done to all involved in organising the railtour. Throughout the day I was with many other enthusiasts, namely ‪@Moothedog0‬, ‪@NIRSpotting‬, @zakh4002, @irishtrainscenes1772, ‪@RailLogisticsOfNI‬, ‪@Christhetrainspotter‬ and ‪@leveltrains1295‬.