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No.171 Appeal
Restoring our flagship locomotive for our 50th anniversary
 No.171 in happier times at Banteer on the South Kerry Railtour. Photo by R. Wall |
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| Dear
Steam Train Enthusiast,
In the early 1960s steam was in rapid decline on the Irish railway system. Still the home for many unique classes of locomotive and rolling stock, Ireland provided enthusiasts from home and abroad with a special mix of operation that could not be matched elsewhere. Seeing that this special mix was at risk of being lost forever, a group of like minded enthusiasts got together in early 1964 and formed the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. Over the following years a large collection of locomotives and rolling stock was gathered and an operating base was established at the former excursion station in Whitehead, Co.Antrim. The first mainline express passenger locomotive to be acquired by the Society was former Great Northern Railway (Ireland) 4-4-0 locomotive No.171 Slieve Gullion. Slieve Gullion has given sterling service to the RPSI on the railway networks of Ireland and, with her unique shape and atrractive blue livery, has become an iconic locomotive, the flagship of the Society. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Society in 2014, this beautiful locomotive lies idle in Whitehead awaiting a complete overhaul. No.171 is a vital part of our collection and mainline operation. As an express passenger locomotive she can maintain the schedules needed to operate out on the mainline while having the ability to haul our heaviest trains. This is a direct appeal to you, the enthusiast, to help us return this most famous and loved engine back where it belongs - in steam, on the mainline. If you have ever considered supporting an appeal and didn't, please consider this as the one you support. All money raised will go directly to the restoration, this will include all material, labour and associated plant costs, which in turn will provide an engine that can bring vital income for the Society and keep mainline steam alive in Ireland. Please support this restoration appeal in any way you can. Thank you! Gerry Mooney No.171 Restoration Appeal Co-ordinator  171 in store at Whitehead in 2011. Your donation can start her restoration. |
your donation is critical to the future of mainline steam trains in Ireland.
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