Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) is an Irish
railway preservation group operating in both the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland
. It was founded in 1964. The Society has its headquarters at Whitehead, County Antrim
, Northern Ireland
and a base at Mullingar
, County Westmeath
. Restoration work is also carried out in the Dublin area.
using steam traction
and vintage carriages. It also owns a small fleet of vintage diesel locomotives. Its longest running and most famous train, the Portrush Flyer, takes day trippers from Belfast
to Portrush
during the summer. Out of Dublin, several "Sea Breeze" trains are operated over the scenic Rosslare line
to Wexford
and Rosslare
over the course of the Summer.
Each year the Society organises a major weekend event, operating usually from Dublin in May and covering major routes in Ireland at a leisurely pace. Many visitors return year after year from homes as far flung as New Jersey
and Berlin
. The 2008 tour operated to Waterford
and the 2009 tour to Westport.
Excursion trains run throughout the year, primarily at weekends, from both Dublin and Belfast. A operational set of vintage carriages is kept both at Whitehead and in Dublin for these purposes. These trains are frequently packed to capacity, and advance booking is recommended.
On many occasions the RPSI has provided trains for films and television dramas, notably The First Great Train Robbery
in 1979.
) presented the RPSI with its annual award for 'continuing highly successful operation...of steam excursions', and for the restoration of steam locomotive No. 4 and carriages 87, 1142 and 91.
In 1987 the RPSI won a certificate of commendation in the British Coal Annual Steam Heritage Awards for the restoration of No. 85 Merlin
.
In 2000 the Heritage Railway Association
gave the 'Supreme Champion' award in the Carriage and Wagon category to the RPSI for its work on Irish State coach No.351.
The HRA has also presented the RPSI with the John Coiley
Award for Locomotive Preservation (in 2004, for No. 186); a certificate of commendation in 2006 (for its part in the Bleach Green to Whitehead track relay) and the Wagon Award in 2009 (for the restoration of a GNR(I)
Brake van
).
Chief engineer and Locomotive Officer Peter Scott received an MBE
for his services to the Railway Preservation Society in Northern Ireland in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, June 2006.
and five diesel
locomotives, a mixture of large main line and small industrial
shunting types, all to the Irish gauge
of 5ft 3in. In addition it has had No. 85 'Merlin', last of the GNR(I) Class V
, on loan from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
since the 1980s. The society also owns or cares for a large collection of carriages and wagons
of varying ages.
At present, the operational mainline steam locomotive used by the Society is former GSWR
Class 101 0-6-0
No.186, shortly to be joined by former DSER
K2 class 2-6-0 No.461, which has just been overhauled. This is the only surviving mogul locomotive to have inside cylinders in either Ireland or the UK. Normally, one loco is based in Dublin and one in Whitehead, with locos occasionally being swapped round to suit local requirements.
The RPSI has recently set up a Diesel department with a view to running a few railtours a year using vintage diesel locomotives. 141 class locomotives
Nos. 141 and 142 were acquired in 2010, repainted in original CIÉ Black livery. It is planned to acquire another 141 class loco, No. 175, along with 121 class
locomotive No. 134 in the near future.
As of 2011, the society has in operation three distinct rakes of carriages. One is made up of a mixture of NIR and BR mk2 vehicles, based at Whitehead. This rake is painted in the RPSI's dark green livery. In Dublin, there exists two further rakes of carriages. One, the "heritage set", is mainly made up of 1950s vintage CIÉ
Park Royal and laminate stock, along with some ex-GNR(I)
, GSR
and GSWR vehicles (including 1st corridor No. 1142). These are mostly painted in 1950s CIÉ green livery. The other is made up of ex- Iarnród Éireann
Cravens coaches, along with a BR steam heating van. These are being repainted in the RPSI's own blue livery with yellow lining.
The Society's founder members still perform regular maintenance tasks and undertake full engine restorations. They are joined regularly by new volunteers who assist in tasks from boiler repair to carriage painting. Volunteers are always welcome to visit and help at either of the engineering depots.
made reference in 2005 to a 'Railway Preservation society of Northern Ireland'.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
railway preservation group operating in both the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It was founded in 1964. The Society has its headquarters at Whitehead, County Antrim
Whitehead, County Antrim
Whitehead is a small seaside town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, lying almost midway between the towns of Carrickfergus and Larne. It lies within the civil parishes of Island Magee and Templecorran, the barony of Belfast Lower, and is part of Carrickfergus Borough Council...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and a base at Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
. Restoration work is also carried out in the Dublin area.
Passenger Excursions
The Society runs mainline trains on the Irish railway networkRail transport in Ireland
Rail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.Most routes in the Republic radiate from Dublin...
using steam traction
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
and vintage carriages. It also owns a small fleet of vintage diesel locomotives. Its longest running and most famous train, the Portrush Flyer, takes day trippers from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
to Portrush
Portrush
Portrush is a small seaside resort town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the County Londonderry border. The main part of the old town, including the railway station as well as most hotels, restaurants and bars, is built on a mile–long peninsula, Ramore Head, pointing north-northwest....
during the summer. Out of Dublin, several "Sea Breeze" trains are operated over the scenic Rosslare line
Dublin-Rosslare railway line
The Dublin-Rosslare railway line is a main rail route between Dublin Connolly station and Rosslare Europort, where it theoretically connects with ferry services to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. The line between Dublin and Greystones is electrified and forms the southern part of the DART...
to Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
and Rosslare
Rosslare
The name Rosslare may refer to:*Rosslare Strand, a village in County Wexford, Ireland* Rosslare Harbour, a village in County Wexford, Ireland*The Rosslare Europort at Rosslare Harbour...
over the course of the Summer.
Each year the Society organises a major weekend event, operating usually from Dublin in May and covering major routes in Ireland at a leisurely pace. Many visitors return year after year from homes as far flung as New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. The 2008 tour operated to Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
and the 2009 tour to Westport.
Excursion trains run throughout the year, primarily at weekends, from both Dublin and Belfast. A operational set of vintage carriages is kept both at Whitehead and in Dublin for these purposes. These trains are frequently packed to capacity, and advance booking is recommended.
Other Operations
An RPSI steam locomotive has on two occasions been used for permanent way work by subcontractors for Northern Ireland Railways. In 2000, 'R. H. Smyth' was employed to pull ballast dropping wagons on the Bleach Green to Antrim line, and in 2005 the engine performed a similar role on the Bleach Green to Whitehead route.On many occasions the RPSI has provided trains for films and television dramas, notably The First Great Train Robbery
The First Great Train Robbery
The First Great Train Robbery — known in the U.S. as The Great Train Robbery — is a 1979 film directed by Michael Crichton, who also wrote the screenplay based on his novel The Great Train Robbery...
in 1979.
Recognition
In 1983, the Association of Railway Preservation Societies (now known as the Heritage Railway AssociationHeritage Railway Association
The Heritage Railways Association is an umbrella organisation representing the majority of the heritage and tourist railways, railway museums, steam centres and railway preservation groups in the UK and Ireland....
) presented the RPSI with its annual award for 'continuing highly successful operation...of steam excursions', and for the restoration of steam locomotive No. 4 and carriages 87, 1142 and 91.
In 1987 the RPSI won a certificate of commendation in the British Coal Annual Steam Heritage Awards for the restoration of No. 85 Merlin
GNRI Class V
The Great Northern Railway V class steam locomotives were 3-cylinder compound locomotives of 4-4-0 wheel arrangement built in 1932 by Beyer, Peacock and Company.-Design:...
.
In 2000 the Heritage Railway Association
Heritage Railway Association
The Heritage Railways Association is an umbrella organisation representing the majority of the heritage and tourist railways, railway museums, steam centres and railway preservation groups in the UK and Ireland....
gave the 'Supreme Champion' award in the Carriage and Wagon category to the RPSI for its work on Irish State coach No.351.
The HRA has also presented the RPSI with the John Coiley
John Coiley
John Arthur Coiley was an English museum curator, principally associated with the National Railway Museum in York from its formation in the 1973-5 period, through to his retirement as keeper of the museum in 1992.-Biography:...
Award for Locomotive Preservation (in 2004, for No. 186); a certificate of commendation in 2006 (for its part in the Bleach Green to Whitehead track relay) and the Wagon Award in 2009 (for the restoration of a GNR(I)
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
Brake van
Brake van
Brake van and guard's van are terms used mainly in the UK, Australia and India for a railway vehicle equipped with a hand brake which can be applied by the guard...
).
Chief engineer and Locomotive Officer Peter Scott received an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his services to the Railway Preservation Society in Northern Ireland in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, June 2006.
Fleet
The RPSI owns a total of nine steamSteam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
and five diesel
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
locomotives, a mixture of large main line and small industrial
Industrial railway
An industrial railway is a type of railway that is not available for public transportation and is used exclusively to serve a particular industrial, logistics or military site...
shunting types, all to the Irish gauge
Irish gauge
Irish gauge railways use a track gauge of . It is used in* Ireland * Australia where it is also known as Victorian Broad Gauge* Brazil where it is also known as Bitola larga no Brasil....
of 5ft 3in. In addition it has had No. 85 'Merlin', last of the GNR(I) Class V
GNRI Class V
The Great Northern Railway V class steam locomotives were 3-cylinder compound locomotives of 4-4-0 wheel arrangement built in 1932 by Beyer, Peacock and Company.-Design:...
, on loan from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is situated in Cultra, Northern Ireland, about east of the city of Belfast. It comprises two separate museums, the Folk Museum and the Transport Museum...
since the 1980s. The society also owns or cares for a large collection of carriages and wagons
Goods wagon
Goods wagons are railway wagons that are used for the transportation of goods .- Development :At the beginning of the railway era, the vast majority of goods wagons were four-wheeled vehicles of simple construction. These were almost exclusively small covered wagons, open wagons with side-boards,...
of varying ages.
At present, the operational mainline steam locomotive used by the Society is former GSWR
Great Southern and Western Railway
The Great Southern and Western Railway was the largest Irish gauge railway company in Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
Class 101 0-6-0
0-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels...
No.186, shortly to be joined by former DSER
Dublin and South Eastern Railway
The Dublin and South Eastern Railway was an Irish gauge railway in Ireland from 1846 to 1925.It was incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1846 as the "Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin Railway Company". In 1860 it was renamed the "Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway Company" and on 31...
K2 class 2-6-0 No.461, which has just been overhauled. This is the only surviving mogul locomotive to have inside cylinders in either Ireland or the UK. Normally, one loco is based in Dublin and one in Whitehead, with locos occasionally being swapped round to suit local requirements.
The RPSI has recently set up a Diesel department with a view to running a few railtours a year using vintage diesel locomotives. 141 class locomotives
CIE 141 Class
The Córas Iompair Éireann 141 class locomotives were delivered in November and December 1962 from General Motors Electro Motive Division , the first consignment being unloaded at the North Wall, Dublin on 22 November...
Nos. 141 and 142 were acquired in 2010, repainted in original CIÉ Black livery. It is planned to acquire another 141 class loco, No. 175, along with 121 class
CIE 121 Class
The Córas Iompair Éireann 121 class is a railway locomotive which was manufactured by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. These locomotives were in regular service on the Irish railway network until 2002, with the last two remaining in service until 2008....
locomotive No. 134 in the near future.
As of 2011, the society has in operation three distinct rakes of carriages. One is made up of a mixture of NIR and BR mk2 vehicles, based at Whitehead. This rake is painted in the RPSI's dark green livery. In Dublin, there exists two further rakes of carriages. One, the "heritage set", is mainly made up of 1950s vintage CIÉ
Córas Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann , or CIÉ, is a statutory corporation of the Irish state, answerable to the Irish Government and responsible for most public transport in the Republic of Ireland and, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, between the...
Park Royal and laminate stock, along with some ex-GNR(I)
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
, GSR
Great Southern Railways
The Great Southern Railways Company was an Irish company that from 1925 until 1945 owned and operated all railways that lay wholly within the Irish Free State .-Formation:...
and GSWR vehicles (including 1st corridor No. 1142). These are mostly painted in 1950s CIÉ green livery. The other is made up of ex- Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
Cravens coaches, along with a BR steam heating van. These are being repainted in the RPSI's own blue livery with yellow lining.
The Society's founder members still perform regular maintenance tasks and undertake full engine restorations. They are joined regularly by new volunteers who assist in tasks from boiler repair to carriage painting. Volunteers are always welcome to visit and help at either of the engineering depots.
In popular culture
The satirical online newspaper The Portadown NewsPortadown News
The Portadown News was a satirical web-based newspaper dealing with Northern Irish politics and culture. It was written by journalist and political commentator Newton Emerson, a Portadown resident. Its format and style were similar to The Onion.The site was updated biweekly, with the first issue...
made reference in 2005 to a 'Railway Preservation society of Northern Ireland'.