Misplaced Pages

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from[REDACTED] with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 19:06, 19 December 2021 edit109.76.201.71 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit Revision as of 15:10, 25 December 2021 edit undoGalavantEnchancedMoon (talk | contribs)148 edits →{{Whyte|0-6-0}}: added info on No.3Next edit →
(11 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 118: Line 118:
=={{Anchor|A-museum}}Whitehead site and museum== =={{Anchor|A-museum}}Whitehead site and museum==
The '''Whitehead Railway Museum''' opened without ceremony in early 2017.{{sfn|Hewitt|2017}} The 5-year project to expand the site from a working steam and engineering depot to include a rebuilt ''Whitehouse Excursion station'' and the museum. The total cost was £3.1m from various funding sources.{{sfn|Hewitt|2017}} The museum received 10,000 visitors in 2017, its first year, and 15,000 in 2018.{{Sfn|Newsroom|2019}} The museum hosts five galleries and it is possible for visitors to see various heritage steam and diesel locomotives and observe work on railway carriage restoration.{{Sfn|Newsroom|2019}} The '''Whitehead Railway Museum''' opened without ceremony in early 2017.{{sfn|Hewitt|2017}} The 5-year project to expand the site from a working steam and engineering depot to include a rebuilt ''Whitehouse Excursion station'' and the museum. The total cost was £3.1m from various funding sources.{{sfn|Hewitt|2017}} The museum received 10,000 visitors in 2017, its first year, and 15,000 in 2018.{{Sfn|Newsroom|2019}} The museum hosts five galleries and it is possible for visitors to see various heritage steam and diesel locomotives and observe work on railway carriage restoration.{{Sfn|Newsroom|2019}}

==Dublin Operations==
The Society has extensive operations out of Dublin which are said to bring in the lion's share of income, according to Five Foot Three issue 43.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Poots |first1=Nelson |journal=Five Foot Three |date=1996 |issue=43}}</ref> They have Connolly station engine shed on lease for loco use. Dublin carriages are stored in the open at Inchicore.

==Mullingar base==

The Society moved into the loco shed at Mullingar in 1974<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Morton |first1=Robin |title=News from Council |journal=Five Foot Three |date=Spring 1979 |issue=23}}</ref> and based steam locos 184 and 186 there. Carriages were also restored here. The last overhaul was completed in 2015 and the base is now going derelict with funding instead being channeled to Whitehead. Generating Van 3173 was the last vehicle to be overhauled.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=McKeown |first1=Joe |title=Dublin Carriage Report |journal=Five Foot Three |date=April 2016 |issue=61}}</ref>

Prior to Mullingar, Sallins Goods Shed was use as a base.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Scott |first1=Peter |title=Locomotive Report |journal=Five Foot Three |date=Summer 1971 |issue=11 |page=15}}</ref>


==Rolling stock== ==Rolling stock==
Line 131: Line 140:
==== {{Whyte|2-6-0}} & {{Whyte|2-6-4|T}} ==== ==== {{Whyte|2-6-0}} & {{Whyte|2-6-4|T}} ====
{{See also|NCC Class W|NCC Class WT|DSER 15 and 16}} {{See also|NCC Class W|NCC Class WT|DSER 15 and 16}}
No. 461, a {{Whyte|2-6-0}} K2 Class heavy good locomotive, is the only ] example that has been preserved.{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=38}} No. 461, a {{Whyte|2-6-0}} K2 Class heavy goods locomotive, is the only ] example that has been preserved.{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=38}}


No 4., the RPSI's ] (NCC) {{Whyte|2-6-4|T}}, WT Class holds significant records. It worked the last steam passenger train on ], and with No. 53 operated the last stone goods train on 22 October 1970. Acquired by the RPSI in June 1971 it then went on to work over most of the remaining Irish railway network.{{Sfn|Scott|2008|p=142}} No 4., the RPSI's ] (NCC) {{Whyte|2-6-4|T}}, WT Class holds significant records. It worked the last steam passenger train on ], and with No. 53 operated the last stone goods train on 22 October 1970. Acquired by the RPSI in June 1971 it then went on to work over most of the remaining Irish railway network.{{Sfn|Scott|2008|p=142}}


The RSPI was reported in 2019 to have begun work on a "new-build" locomotive project, choosing to commit to a Class W {{whyte|2-6-0}} in preference to a second {{Whyte|2-6-4|T}} tank sister to No. 4.{{Sfn|Devereux|2019}} The Class W were the NCC's top express passenger locomotives build {{Circa}} 1933 and were noted for excellent performance.{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=87}} They were a parent design to the Class WT which were essentially a ] variant.{{Sfn|Mitchell|2021|p=232}} The RPSI was reported in 2019 to have begun work on a "new-build" locomotive project, choosing to commit to a Class W {{whyte|2-6-0}} in preference to a second {{Whyte|2-6-4|T}} tank sister to No. 4.{{Sfn|Devereux|2019}} The Class W were the NCC's top express passenger locomotives build {{Circa}} 1933 and were noted for excellent performance.{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=87}} They were a parent design to the Class WT which were essentially a ] variant.{{Sfn|Mitchell|2021|p=232}}


==== {{Whyte|0-6-0}} ==== ==== {{Whyte|0-6-0}} ====
{{Main|GS&WR Class 101}} {{Main|GS&WR Class 101}}
The society possesses two of the 101 (J15) class, of which over 100 were built between 1866 and 1903 and which lasted until the end of the steam era on ] in 1963.{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=19}} The RPSI possesses two version of these simple, reliable and robust engines, No. 184 with a saturated boiler and round-shaped firebox, and No. 186 with a superheated boiler and squarer ].{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=19}} The Society possesses two of the 101 (J15) class, of which over 100 were built between 1866 and 1903 and which lasted until the end of the steam era on ] in 1963.{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=19}} The RPSI possesses two version of these simple, reliable and robust engines, No. 184 with a saturated boiler and round-shaped firebox, and No. 186 with a superheated boiler and squarer ].{{sfn|Boocock|2009|p=19}}

{{Main|LPHC No.3 R.H. Smyth}}
The Society also has an 0-6-0ST No.3 'R.H. Smyth'. Known as Harvey affectionately, she was used to shunt Whitehead yard, ballast workings for NIR<ref>{{cite news |title=Harvey on the ballast |work=RPSI News Letter |publisher=RPSI |date=September 2005}}</ref> and also the Downpatrick Railway in recent times.


===Diesel and other locomotives=== ===Diesel and other locomotives===
Line 222: Line 234:
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508130138/https://www.crr.ie/assets/files/pdf/21_15pii_out_of_normal_operation_midleton_07112014__final_for_rsc_website_with_corrigendum.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508130138/https://www.crr.ie/assets/files/pdf/21_15pii_out_of_normal_operation_midleton_07112014__final_for_rsc_website_with_corrigendum.pdf
|url-status=live|access-date=19 August 2021|archive-date=8 May 2021|publisher=Railway Safety Commission}} |url-status=live|access-date=19 August 2021|archive-date=8 May 2021|publisher=Railway Safety Commission}}
* {{Cite magazine|last1=Poots|first1=Nelson|date=1996|title=Five Foot Three No.43
|isbn=9781904242840|publisher=RPSI|location=Whitehead, Co. Antrim|oclc=506214865}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Scott|first1=William T.|date=2008|title=Locomotives of the LMS NCC and its predecessors * {{Cite book|last1=Scott|first1=William T.|date=2008|title=Locomotives of the LMS NCC and its predecessors
|isbn=9781904242840|publisher=Colorprint|location=Newtownards, County Down|oclc=506214865}} |isbn=9781904242840|publisher=Colorprint|location=Newtownards, County Down|oclc=506214865}}

Revision as of 15:10, 25 December 2021

Heritage rail society in Ireland

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
[REDACTED]
The RPSI's oldest locomotive, No.186, a GS&WR Class 101, at Whitehead.
AbbreviationRPSI
Location
  • Dublin
  • Whitehead
Websitewww.steamtrainsireland.com

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) is an Irish railway preservation group operating throughout Ireland, founded in 1964. Mainline steam train railtours are operated from Dublin and Belfast, but occasionally from other locations as well. The society has bases in Dublin and Whitehead, County Antrim, with the latter hosting a museum and occasionally operating short steam rides within the confines of its site. The society owns heritage wagons, carriages, steam engines, diesel locomotives and metal-bodied carriages suitable for mainline use.

History

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2021)

The RPSI was formed in 1964. The RPSI commemorated its 50th anniversary in 2014, RPSI president Lord O'Neill driving the newly overhauled No. 85 Merlin through a tape to mark the occasion, and Member of Parliament for East Antrim, Sammy Wilson enthusing over the RPSI's achievements and sponsoring an early day motion.

RPSI operations were curtailed in 2020 and 2021 due to the restrictions placed to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governance

The RSPI's 2019 financial statements indicated Management committees based in Belfast and Dublin were responsible to the Board for day to day and operational matters. The report indicated it had been recognised there was an imbalance between facilities at Whitehead and Dublin and steps were in hand to develop those in Dublin.

Whitehead site and museum

The Whitehead Railway Museum opened without ceremony in early 2017. The 5-year project to expand the site from a working steam and engineering depot to include a rebuilt Whitehouse Excursion station and the museum. The total cost was £3.1m from various funding sources. The museum received 10,000 visitors in 2017, its first year, and 15,000 in 2018. The museum hosts five galleries and it is possible for visitors to see various heritage steam and diesel locomotives and observe work on railway carriage restoration.

Dublin Operations

The Society has extensive operations out of Dublin which are said to bring in the lion's share of income, according to Five Foot Three issue 43. They have Connolly station engine shed on lease for loco use. Dublin carriages are stored in the open at Inchicore.

Mullingar base

The Society moved into the loco shed at Mullingar in 1974 and based steam locos 184 and 186 there. Carriages were also restored here. The last overhaul was completed in 2015 and the base is now going derelict with funding instead being channeled to Whitehead. Generating Van 3173 was the last vehicle to be overhauled.

Prior to Mullingar, Sallins Goods Shed was use as a base.

Rolling stock

Steam locomotives

GSWR steam locomotive No.186 on former GNR tracks, near Newry.

The Society possesses a number of steam locomotives, typically only small number will be operational at any time:

4-4-0

See also: GNRI Class Q, GNRI Class S, and GNRI Class V

The RPSI has three Great Northern Railway of Ireland 4-4-0's within its fleet. No. 131, an 'Q' class, was built in 1901. The others are 'S' Class no. 171 Slieve Gullion and 'V' Class No. 85 Merlin, although the latter is owned by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and is on loan.

2-6-0 & 2-6-4T

See also: NCC Class W, NCC Class WT, and DSER 15 and 16

No. 461, a 2-6-0 K2 Class heavy goods locomotive, is the only Dublin and South Eastern Railway example that has been preserved.

No 4., the RPSI's Northern Counties Committee (NCC) 2-6-4T, WT Class holds significant records. It worked the last steam passenger train on Northern Ireland Railways, and with No. 53 operated the last stone goods train on 22 October 1970. Acquired by the RPSI in June 1971 it then went on to work over most of the remaining Irish railway network.

The RPSI was reported in 2019 to have begun work on a "new-build" locomotive project, choosing to commit to a Class W 2-6-0 in preference to a second 2-6-4T tank sister to No. 4. The Class W were the NCC's top express passenger locomotives build c. 1933 and were noted for excellent performance. They were a parent design to the Class WT which were essentially a tank variant.

0-6-0

Main article: GS&WR Class 101

The Society possesses two of the 101 (J15) class, of which over 100 were built between 1866 and 1903 and which lasted until the end of the steam era on CIÉ in 1963. The RPSI possesses two version of these simple, reliable and robust engines, No. 184 with a saturated boiler and round-shaped firebox, and No. 186 with a superheated boiler and squarer Belpaire firebox.

Main article: LPHC No.3 R.H. Smyth

The Society also has an 0-6-0ST No.3 'R.H. Smyth'. Known as Harvey affectionately, she was used to shunt Whitehead yard, ballast workings for NIR and also the Downpatrick Railway in recent times.

Diesel and other locomotives

134 at Inchicore railway works
See also: CIE 121 Class and CIE 141 Class

The RPSI has indicated it has a strategy to create a mainline heritage diesel fleet. To this end it has accumulated four c. 65t 1,000 horsepower (750 kW) General Electric Bo-Bos Nos. 134, 141, 142 and 175. No. 134, one of the original 15 with cabs only at one end, was sent for renovation at Inchicore Works.

Carriages and other stock

In the 2000s, with more rail stringent regulations, the RPSI was forced to acquire rakes of metal bodied carriages for mainline railtours.

Operations

Railtours

Mulligan has noted the RPSI did "sterling work" in the area of organising steam railtours around the country following the end of Steam on CIÉ in the 1960s.

Films

There is a demand for film-making in Ireland and the RPSI has been able to assist in the provision of suitable rolling stock for train related scenes. The shooting of The First Great Train Robbery in 1978 was an early significant involvement in film making by the RPSI.

Incident

On 7 November 2014, an RPSI train chartered by Web Summit blocked a level crossing in Midleton for over 25 minutes. The operation was referred to the Commission for Railway Regulation. The resulting investigation found that the Society had knowingly run a train that was too long for the station's platform and that it would block a level crossing, yet senior IR management overrode their internal safety department by allowing the train to run.

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ RPSI 2016.
  2. RPSI 2021s.
  3. ^ RPSI 2021c.
  4. Cassells & Friel 2004, p. 12.
  5. Newsroom 2014.
  6. RPSI 2021b.
  7. ^ Finegan Gibson 2020, p. 2.
  8. ^ Hewitt 2017.
  9. ^ Newsroom 2019.
  10. Poots, Nelson (1996). Five Foot Three (43). {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. Morton, Robin (Spring 1979). "News from Council". Five Foot Three (23).
  12. McKeown, Joe (April 2016). "Dublin Carriage Report". Five Foot Three (61).
  13. Scott, Peter (Summer 1971). "Locomotive Report". Five Foot Three (11): 15.
  14. Newsroom 2021.
  15. Boocock 2009, p. 38.
  16. Scott 2008, p. 142.
  17. Devereux 2019.
  18. Boocock 2009, p. 87.
  19. Mitchell 2021, p. 232.
  20. ^ Boocock 2009, p. 19.
  21. "Harvey on the ballast". RPSI News Letter. RPSI. September 2005.
  22. RPSI 2021f.
  23. Hewitt 2017p.
  24. BJ 2008, pp. 14–15.
  25. ^ Mulligan 1990, p. 179.
  26. Newsroom 2018.
  27. O'Brien 2016.
  28. Wall 2016.
  29. O'Regan 2016.

Sources

Primary sources

External links

Heritage railways, museums and preservation societies in Northern Ireland
Heritage railways, museums and preservation societies in the Republic of Ireland
Railtour operating companies in the United Kingdom
Categories:
Railway Preservation Society of Ireland: Difference between revisions Add topic