This railtour was originally planned to be hauled by RPSI steam locomotive No. 171 from Belfast Central to Whitehead and back, and then from Belfast Central to Bangor and back on the first round trip. The two 121 class locomotives were then booked to haul the railtour to Bangor and back on the second round trip. However, due to a landslip between Carrickfergus and Whitehead on 30^th September 1998, the line was completely blocked, trapping the steam locomotive at Whitehead, which meant it was unable to work the railtour. Because of the landslip, the section between Carrickfergus and Whitehead had to be omitted from the itinerary. NIR agreed for the 2 x 121 class to work the railtour as far as Carrickfergus and back instead of the steam locomotive, and to provide a 111 class locomotive to work the first round trip from Belfast Central to Bangor and back, with the 2 x 121 class working the second round trip.

However, whilst on the first round trip to Bangor behind the 111 class, locomotive No. 123 caught fire at Belfast Central, and was therefore not able to work the rest of the railtour. As a result, the 111 also worked the second round trip to Bangor, and had to take the railtour back to Dundalk as well. Finally, the train was delayed on the return journey between Belfast Central and Lisburn due to a collision between an 80 class railcar set and a portaloo, which had been positioned too close to the running line in an engineering possession.