A tour by bus which will visit off-the-beaten-track heritage centres in the Irish Midlands is being held in July.

Táilte Tours CLG has organised an ‘On the Laois’ tour for the 14th July, which will take visitors from Dublin to the Steam Museum in Straffan, Co Kildare, and the Stradbally Woodland Railway, Co Laois.

There’s lots to see at each location, with the Steam Museum being home to steam engines used for industrial propulsion, including a beam engine installed in Smithwick’s Brewery in 1847 and a collection of prototype model locomotives.

Some of their locomotives will be steamed up during the visit, which only takes place once a month.

The Stradbally Woodland Railway is home to some industrial narrow gauge engines, including 1949-vintage Bord na Móna Andrew Barclay 0-4-0WT No.2 “Róisín” and their latest addition, Bord na Móna hydraulic No.LM335.

The Railway was Ireland’s first heritage railway, which was founded in 1969. There will be both steam and diesel haulage for visitors to enjoy.

Further information about the tour can be found online.