Steam loco's 85 'Merlin' & 131 on the RPSI Sanata Specials 2023

From Saturday the 2nd of December - Sunday the 17th December 2023 (On weekends only), the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) operated their hugely popular annual Santa Specials running between Dublin Connolly and Maynooth for three weeks during December. This year, steam locomotive number 85 'Merlin' was accompanied by steam locomotive number 131 on selected days, usually operating the afternoon leg. 0:00 - 2:36, Saturday the 2nd December 2023, On day one of the Santa Specials, 85 'Merlin' works the first train of the morning to Maynooth on a beautiful crisp Winters morning. We see 85 crossing over the Royal Canal light engine. Then a short time later we see 85 leaving Dublin Connolly with a unique aerial shot. 2:36 - 3:24, Sunday 10th December 2023, here we see steam locomotive number 131 passing Claude Road, Drumcondra while working an afternoon Santa Special to Maynooth. 3:24 - 4:48, Saturday 16th December 2023, here we see 85 'Merlin passing through Barberstown, Co. Dublin while working a morning Santa Special to Maynooth. 4:48 - 5:51, later we see 85 'Merlin' returning from Maynooth, seen here passing Donaghmore, Co. Kildare. 5:51 - 6:45, Sunday 17th December 2023 (Final Day), here we see 85 'Merlin' passing through Claude Road, Drumcondra while working the morning Santa Special to Maynooth. 6:45 - 7:51, and finally, later that afternoon we see 85 'Merlin' passing through Glasnevin Junction while working the afternoon Santa Special to Maynooth. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my viewers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please feel free to comment, like & subscribe.