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RPSI stalwart Gerry Mooney captured
this view of No.4, working the "Narnia Express" heading out from Dublin
to Mullingar on Saturday 28th June 2008.
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No.186 runs round her train in Dundalk
after a crew training run to Mosney and back. The RPSI preparation crew
were busy cleaning as the engine raised steam as the shine on the boiler
shows. 31st October 2007. Photo by C P Friel. |
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No.4 restarts her return "Sea Breeze"
train from Wicklow, on 26th August 2007. Passengers had a pleasant surprise
when they found the beautifully restored Irish State Coach No.351 marshalled
into the rake of wooden bodied coaches. Photo by David Cavanagh.
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No.186 rumbles over the Lagan
canal and onto the level crossing at Moira, hauling one of the "Country
Comes to Town" trains from Portadown to Lisburn on Saturday 16th September
2006. The DOE buildings conservation workshop can be seen to the right
hand side of the picture. Photo by B Goodfellow.
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No.186 simmers in the late evening
light at Carrickfergus platform 2. She has just brought in the first Steam
and Jazz train of the year, 16th June 2006. Photo by L Smyth.
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No.4, after an exciting morning, hands
over the "Earl of Desmond" railtour to No.186 at Mallow. 6th May 2006.
Photo by C McLeod.
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No.4 glints in the spring sunshine
as she brings the Good Friday Special over the M50 at Blanchardstown. Three
cravens coaches directly behind the engine are making their first trip
in society ownership. 14th April 2006. Photo by B Pickup.
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Santa's annual Steam Specials have
begun! Here No.186 is seen preparing to return the first of 13 Santa trains
to Belfast Central and Lisburn from Antrim station on a beautiful winter's
morning. 4th December 2005. Photo by C McLeod.
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Santa had enough time to ride on the
trains even though it is usually very busy for him at this time of year.
4th December 2005. Photo by C Heron.
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No.3 "R H Smyth" continues to haul
ballast trains on the relay of the Bleach Green - Whitehead line. On a
damp Thursday she is seen in Whitehead station, only a few hundred yards
from the RPSI's headquarters. Wood is stacked around the front of the engine
for lighting the engine's fire each morning. 1st December 2005. Photo by
J Spencer.
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This is the fireman's view from the
footplate of No.3 "R H Smyth". The loco is passing milepost 13 on the Bleach
Green - Whitehead line while engaged in ballasting duties. 19th November
2005. Photo by M Walsh.
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NIR drivers Noel and Stephen take
a moment from tending No.186 for a photocall at Belfast's Central Station.
They were working a midweek charter train to Cultra for the Northern Ireland
Events Company. 15th November 2005. Photo by John Harrison.
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No.4 hauling the 'Greystones 150'
train from Greystones to Newcastle on Sunday 13th November 2005. Photo
by B Pickup.
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The setting sun strikingly catches
the 'Greystones 150' after leaving Wicklow. The train is approaching Five
Mile Point, one mile south of Newcastle, on Sunday 13th November 2005.
Photo by B Pickup.
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No.4 runs round her train at Wicklow
as part of the "Greystones 150" celebrations. 13th November 2005.
Photo by I Lush.
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On Friday the 11th of November No.3
"R H Smyth" reached Whitehead Excursion station for a weekend of maintainance.
Here the tired engine is seen with the crew who brought it in from the
salt mines, Driver Jeff Spencer (right) and Fireman Phil Lockett. Photo
by RPSI webmaster.
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The Bleach Green - Carrickfergus section
of the Larne line reopened in early October 2005. Now work is concentrating
on the Carrickfergus - Whitehead section. No.3 "R H Smyth" is seen having
her train of ballast hoppers refilled at the salt mines, north of Carrickfergus.
22nd October 2005. Photo by M Walsh.
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Rail contractors AMEC have hired locomotive
No.3"R H Smyth" to haul ballast hoppers on the relay of the Bleach Green
- Whitehead railway. Here No.3 is seen waiting at Carrickfergus station
for the next ballasting operation to commence. September 2005.
Photo by M Walsh
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Sporting the striking Portrush Flyer
headboard, No.186 thunders back to Belfast after another enjoyable outing
to the seaside resort on 6th August 2005.
Photo by J Black
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186 makes a fine sight crossing the
new bridge over the M1 motorway during the "3 Cities" railtour, 30th May
2005.
Photo by B Pickup
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No.4 steams through Drogheda with
the pentultimate train of the "Suir Valley" railtour, 16th May 2005.
Photo by B Pickup
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No.186 is seen at Waterford on the
15th May 2005.
Photo by Graham Bridle
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No.186 drifts across the Wexford Quays
with the Dublin - based carriages, recently repainted in 1950s CIE green
livery. 12th May 2005.
Photo by G Lockley
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No.186 is seen south of Dunleer with
the rake of 5 Mk2 carriages . 10th May 2005.
Photo by J Stanley
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No.186 rests in Dublin's Connoly station
after hauling the first train of the "Suir Valley" railtour from Belfast.
10th May 2005.
Photo by B Pickup
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No.4 looking very clean near Merrion
on the Good Friday Dublin-Arklow return train, 25th March 2005.
Photo by D Reddy
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During the early morning prepartion
for a Santa Special steam train, the steamraiser takes the opportunity
to scrub some ingrained dirt from No.186's buffer beam. The fire was lit
at 4am that morning. 12th December 2004.
Photo by M Walsh.
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No.186 runs-round her train at Lisburn.
She is about to depart for Cultra with the 40th Anniversary train, calling
at a number of halts on the route. 2nd October 2004.
Photo by A McKibben
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No.85 pounds towards Whitehead from
Belfast Central with the "Causeway Express". This was the penultimate
time the locomotive ran on the former NCC route to Portrush and was an
experiment in offering a coach to the Giants Causeway to coincide with
the train - definitely a format with potential. 26th September 2004.
Photo by B Murphy
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CLICK
HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP
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Mark Walsh was shunter for European
Architectural Heritage Open Day at Whitehead on 12th September 2004.
This short video clip shows No.186 and No.9 carriage enterting the site
under the Kings Road bridge.
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CLICK
HERE FOR ARTICLE
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The only steam driver on NIR, Noel
Playfair had a very busy year - so much so that the NIR magazine "Rail
Issues" ran an article on him. Have a read of it here - the file
is an Adobe PDF file.
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The opportunity was taken to swap
No.4 and No.85 by running a "Thursday Excursion" on the 2nd September 2004.
No.4 is seen here at Drumbanagher heading South.
Photo by N Slocombe.
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Heading North on the Thursday Excursion
is No.85, here making a splendid sight through Moira. 2nd September
2004.
Photo by N Slocombe.
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Heading North on the Thursday Excursion
is No.85 here charging Mountpleasant on 2nd September 2004.
Photo by N Slocombe.
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Photographer Nick Slocombe had a very
productive day on 2nd September and has captured No.85 and Cravens looking
very smart at Newtownbridge.
Photo by N Slocombe.
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A press article for the 2nd September
"Thursday Excursion" - photo by N Slocombe.
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No.85 simmers at Thurles with the
return working from Cork to Dublin on 22nd August 2004.
Photo by J Stanley.
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No.85 looks stunning with the “Sláinte”
of 21st August 2004. This operation saw the train span two days -
Dublin to Cork on the 21st and Cork to Dublin on the 22nd. A real
success and another operation style to be repeated.
Photo by D Reddy.
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CLICK
HERE FOR ARTICLE
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An article from the Irish News newspaper
which covered a journey on the Portrush Flyer of 7th August. The
article appeared in the newspaper on 18th August.
The article is in Adobe PDF format.
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Later on the same day (15th August
2004), No.186 takes water at Lisburn, before backing on to the RPSI's Mark
2 carriage set.
Photo by M Walsh.
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On her maiden voyage up the Bangor
branch since overhaul, No.186 is cruising through Sydenham halt on the
15th August 2004.
Photo by M Stevenson.
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Old meets new at Dublin Connolly as
No.85 simmers with the Northern Enterprise of the 24th July 2004.
Photo by B Pickup
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186 was being further steam tested
at Whitehead as the passengers off the Northern Enterprise look on.
The 80-class DEMU had brought passengers from Belfast Central. 24th
July 2004.
Photo by B Pickup
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No.85 at Dromin on the Northern Enterprise
of 24th July 2004.
Photo by N Slocombe.
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No.186 was formally re-launched into
traffic on the 23rd July 2004 with a press launch at Whitehead. Here
the locomotive basks in the glory having broken through the re-launch barrier.
Photo by Belfast Telegraph
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One of the few movements that the
public don't see - 85 sneaks southwards light engine on 4th July 2004.
Photo by M Walsh.
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A very happy employee provides some
glamour for the launch of the RPSI's 40th Anniversary book "Forty Shades
of Steam" at Belfast Central on 30th June 2004.
Photo by Belfast Telegraph
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With one of the many proving runs
for the "new" Mark 2 carriages, 85 is here easing out of Carrickfergus
and through Clipperstown station in June 2004.
Photo by M Walsh.
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It's the final day of the Slieve Kimalta
railtour and 85 has just arrived back at Whitehead from Dundalk - blue
sky and a blue engine! 10th May 2004.
Photo by M Oliver.
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No.85 captured with the first (of
many) test run of the Mark 2 carriages, here seen at Antrim. 1st
May 2004.
Photo by U Mcleery
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No.85 easing away from Drogheda on
the North bound leg of the Northern Enterprise of 23rd August 2003.
Photo by D.Reddy
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No.85 at Drumbanagher on the South
bound leg of the Northern Enterprise of 23rd August 2003.
Photo by N.Slocombe
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No.85 at Drogheda heading South with
the Northern Enterprise of 23rd August 2003.
Photo by P.Cox
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No.85 and 9 cravens in Platform 4
at Dublin Connolly having arrived on the return leg of the Northern Enterprise
of 28th June 2003.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 and 9 Cravens climbing the 1
in 100 bank out of Dundalk past Mount Pleasant (MP58.75) on the Northern
Enterprise of 28th June 2003. The photographer was able to hear No.4
a good five minutes before she appeared!
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 and 9 Cravens at the site of
the former Castlebellingham station, beside the new M1. The train
is the "Northern Enterprise" of 28th June 2003.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 and 9 Cravens at MP25 (near Gormanstown)
on the "Northern Enterprise" of 28th June 2003.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 at MP34.25 (Canal Bridge east
of Hill-Down) with the "Midsummers Steam" train of 21st June 2003.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 at Ferrycarrig on the "Sea Breeze"
of 7th June 2003.
Photo by W. Thomas
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No.85 at Malahide, running light engine
home after taking the "Steam Enterprise" from Belfast to Dublin on 19th
October 2002.
Photo by B. Pickup
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A spotless 171 runs through Sidney
Parade with the Greystones Shuttle on 21st April 2002.
Photo by B. Pickup
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The Heritage Railway Association 'Supreme
Champion' award winning Irish State Coach on exhibit at Pearse station
from November 12th to December 2nd 2001.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.171 'Slieve Gullion' makes a fine
sight on her way to Enniscorthy with the 'Sea Breeze' of Saturday 11th
August 2001.
Photo by D.Reddy
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No.171 'Slieve Gullion' arriving at
Dublin Connolly station with the 'Sea Breeze' of August 11th 2001.
Photo by B.Pickup
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During her run on the 'Strawberry
Fair' of July 7th 2001, No.171 'Slieve Gullion' is captured on Rosslare
turntable.
Photo by C.G.Walker
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An interior view of the RPSI's restored
TPO (Travelling Post Office) carriage.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 nears the end of her extensive
10 year overhaul. She is seen here in the RPSI's locomotive workshop
at Whitehead in February 2001.
Photo by P. Lockett
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No.85 "Merlin" at the foot of Kellystown
bank on the 15th April 2000.
Photo by C.P.Friel
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No.85 passes a NIR Castle class diesel
near Balmoral whilst working a Steam Enterprise to Dublin on the 15th April
2000.
Photo by C.P.Friel
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461's black paintwork glistens in
the sun on Inchicore turntable.
Photo by B. Carse
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2-6-0 No.461 runs alongside Lough
Owel with a mixed selection of RPSI coaches.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.85 'Merlin' with CIE green liveried
rolling stock at Farranfore.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.85 blows off in Cork station.
Photo by C.P.Friel
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No.4 passes through Athlone on the
15th May 1988.
Photo by J.Allen
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2-6-0 No.461 complete with a well
filled firebox (!) departing Killucan station.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.85 'Merlin' makes a fine departure
from Dundalk on one of the 'Dundalk 150' trains of 1999.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.171 'Slieve Gullion' heads a rake
of Irish Rail MkII coaches at Dublin Heuston station.
Photo by B.Pickup
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Superpowers at work. No.85 'Merlin'
is passed by a down 'Enterprise' worked by GM loco No.112, at Drogheda
station.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 is seen storming uphill in the
vicinity of Cloghogue chapel. Autumn 1989. Photo by S Patterson.
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No.85 Merlin returned to the
Dublin for the first time in preservation on the 20th of September 1986.
Here she is seen steaming uphill past Altnaveigh. Photo by S Patterson.
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No.85 'Merlin' hauls the 'Steam Enterprise'
away from Dundalk. This was the last 'Steam Enterprise' to use RPSI
wooden bodies stock.
Photo by B. Pickup
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186 on the turntable at Bray (now
sadly a car park) in 1979.
Photo by B.Pickup
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184 at Sutton in 1979 - on a Howth
excursion.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 returning the South Wexford tour
train to Belfast at Howth Junction. June 12th 1978.
Everything has changed since this was
taken in May 1978 - the signal box and semaphores disappeared in the early
'80s
when the DART arrived, and the Kilbarrack
flats were demolished last year.
Photo by B.Pickup
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J15 No.184 negotiates her way from
Dublin Connolly across the city.
Photo by B.Pickup
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No.4 seen at Whitehead in 1973.
The loco is in UTA lined black but with the paint layers cut away to reveal
the old NCC letters. The original NCC livery had a single broad straw
line about 2 inches in from the edge with the space between the line and
the edge of the metal painted maroon.
Photo by J.Allen
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In 1972, No.186 is captured on the
North Kerry railtour.
Photo by J.Allen
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184 with an ECS working approaching
Moate en route to Athenry.
Photo by B.Pickup
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186 at Barnagh on the North Kerry
railttour in 1972.
Photo by J.Allen
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186 at Fenit was also on the 1972
North Kerry railtour.
Photo by J.Allen
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186 in the cement factory siding at
Drogheda. Despite the signal aspect, 186 is heading towards the camera.
Saturday 17th April 1971 on the Slieve Gullion tour. At that time
186 was the only engine on the main line anywhere in the British Isles
- 4472 was in America and the great Bulmer breakthrough with King George
V had still to happen.
Photo by J.Allen
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Charles Friel
has kindly provided some more details:
No.27 'Lough Erne' faces No.4 at Whitehead
on 29th April 1972 during preparation for a visit from the Governor, Lord
Grey of Naunton. Michael Henderson nearer the camera and William
Watson at the cab. The tall gent walking toward the camera looks
like Nigel Greeves.
A little history - Lord Grey was to travel
in the remains of the brakevan, however, at the last minute driver Irwin
decided that it was too tatty and it was uncoupled. However the Governor's
security people didn't know this and happily piled into the van.
Meanwhile the Governor got into the cab with Irwin (and Jim Smith as Fireman).
Irwin blew the whistle and set off down the platform leaving the security
folk in a panic. But Irwin brought him back safely!
Photo by J.Allen
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Another shot of No.27 "Lough Erne"
during Lord Grey's visit to Whitehead in 1972. Left to right are:
Linda somebody from Whitehead; an unknown male; Ena McKnight; a glimpse
of Sullivan Boomer; John Richardson is the top-hatted gent with his back
to the camera; Loretta Lappin; Mary Friel; Irwin (with stick-on beard)
driving and Robin Morton firing.
This unique six-wheeled GNR brake van
was in poor shape having been vandalised on various occasions. Some
time later an arson attack effectively destroyed it. There is now
only one GNR[I]
brake van in existence.
Photo by J.Allen
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In 1971, No.171 'Slieve Gullion'
shunting at Londonderry Waterside station to release the engine following
arrival. Note the large tender which came originally from a VS class
loco and now resides at the back of the Whitehead site.
Photo by J.Allen
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No.27 'Lough Erne' photographed
at Whitehead in 1971. No.171 is the loco behind her with a red open
wagon behind. It is interesting to remember that RPSI stalwart No.3
'R.H.Smyth' was yet to be restored at this stage, not being bought until
1st May 1972, arriving in Whitehead on 10th June 1972 and not steaming
until 19th June 1977.
Photo by J.Allen
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RPSI members at work outside
the 'Old Shed' at Whitehead in 1971. The tractor revolutionised site
work at the time and was replaced in latter years by the ever faithful
JCB which now helps volunteers. The bread container was used to store
Permanent Way materials. John Lockett directing the tractor driven
by Will Glendinning. Jim Smith on left with back to camera.
On the right are Sullivan Boomer, David Trotter (in tartan hat) and George
Hamilton. The MG in the background belonged to RPSI regular Sullivan
Boomer.
Photo by J.Allen
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RPSI Weedkilling Train.
1971. Charles Friel provides the following details:
This a potato sprayer mounted on a permanent
way bogie. William Watson working the pump and Tony Ragg pushing
the bogie towards the brown coated bottom of Charles Friel. Peter
Scott in the doorway of his fathers camper van in the shed door.
The green mini belongs to Johnny Glendinning, the white Ford belongs to
Tony Ragg. The RPSI's Ferguson tractor can be seen behind.
One of the bogie Guinness grain vans is in No.2 shed road being gutted
and fitted out as a cinema van for the forthcoming Open Day.
Photo by J.Allen
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