06/11/2026
Dear Supporters, we have a very important update for our upcoming Santa Specials this year.
Unfortunately, our locomotive department have advised us that our steam locomotive No. 171 will not be repaired in time for our Santa Specials this year. At this time we only have one steam locomotive in Dublin. As a result ALL of our upcoming Santa Specials will be hauled be a diesel locomotive.
We understand the disappointment that this will cause many of our hopeful passengers for this special Christmas event. Please be assured that we have worked night and day for this not to happen, but unfortunately it has not been possible to guarantee the locomotive is fit for traffic.
Technical Info: On our recent trip to Dundalk, on return to the shed, it became apparent that it had a "hot big end" which is a critical bearing inside the steam locomotive. These bearings have to be replaced. This involves very technical, skillful and time consuming work to replace. On completion of this work, the locomotive must have a slow build up of work to bring it back to hauling a passenger train. Our Santa trains, are our biggest and heaviest duty for our steam locomotives, so we have to be certain everything will run smoothly as we operate out of the busiest station in the country on regular railway lines. This will not be completed in time for this years special trains.
The good news is that all of our Santa Specials will operate as normal. The onboard magic and Christmas cheer and joy will be the exact same. Santa, mulled w**e, musicians, selection boxes, bar car, mince pies, Christmas decorations and jumpers will all be the exact same.
We apologise for the disappointment, and hope you can still support us and enjoy our famous Christmas welcome.
Tickets will go on sale this Saturday at 12:00 via our Eventbrite page.
Thank you in advance for all your support.
Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
