A variety of rare workings have started the new year on Iarnród Éireann (IE), including the delivery of more new vehicles.
Carrying Belmond livery, GM No. 216 was active on Dublin Heuston-Cork services with a Mk.4 set during late January. The locomotive, however, had reliability issues on January 23, and, with its train attached, ran from Heuston station to Inchicore for attention. No. 216 was repaired and worked the 16.25 Cork-Heuston on January 25, with Mk.4 set, DBG No 4003. GM No 227 failed between Balbriggan and Gormanston the same day while hauling the 07.35 Dublin Connolly-Belfast Lanyon Place.
No. 231 ran light from Dublin to rescue the stricken train and returned it to Connolly where No. 227 was removed. Trains were disrupted with departure of the 09.30-ex Connolly delayed by 110 minutes, while the 12.35 ex-Lanyon Place and 15.20 return were operated by Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) units Nos. 3001 and 3006. Normal operations resumed later the same day.
An unusual visitor to Portlaoise Yard on January
