It was announced this morning the the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland have introduced a new form of motive power for shunting coaches at Whitehead.

"Our Whitehead site is now a much larger and more complicated affair than it was when we took up residence here over forty years ago," society spokesperson Seamus Awl told reporters.   "As well as being a base for main line operations we keep a collection of 50 carriages and wagons here.  The place is quite packed so naturally shunting the vehicles is often a complicated business."

The society has used a variety of steam and diesel engines to shunt its carriages in the past.  "Sometimes, though, there's a very simple movement that needs done, and what we really need is a reliable means of moving the carriages that can also be started up very quickly."

To solve this dilemma the society has gone back to a very ancient idea.  "There is a very long history of horse shunting in Ireland," Seamus explained, "And we have in our possession a six-wheeled coach fitted with hooks to attach ropes to a horse's harness.

"This set us wondering whether we could put a new spin on this old idea."

The society's solution is certainly not orthodox.  "Shunting with elephants is quite like shunting with horses," Seamus insisted.  "The primary advantage is in terms of safety because, of course, elephants come with vacuum brakes."

Visitors to Whitehead may have been surprised to find an Indian elephant resident on the site.  "Getting him through quarantine was a nightmare," Mr Awl admitted.  "But it did give us time to finish the extension to the engine shed.

"The shunting procedure is very simple.  The elephant takes hold of the vacuum hose with his trunk and gives a good suck, and that releases the brakes.  Then he propels it to where it needs to go.  The real beauty of the system is that when the coach is in the right place, or if he gets tired, he only has to breathe out and the coach will stop instantly."

It has been a steep learning curve for all involved.  "There have been a few mishaps," Seamus admitted, "Like the day we were late serving his lunch.  But I'm sure Whitehead conservation area will soon grow back.

"Like all our volunteers, the elephant seems to enjoy his work.  Scientific evidence indicates that wild or working elephants can live up to forty years longer than those in zoos."

So far the elephant has not received a name.

"We thought we'd let the whole society have a say in the elephant's naming," Seamus explained.  "So far suggestions have included Carrantuohill, Tailte and Lugnaquilla, and of course Jumbo would be quite appropriate as there was a J15 of that name."  But what is Seamus' preference?  "I was going to call him Fred," he says ruefully, "but I think I'm outvoted there."

Now it's your chance to have a say in the naming of the RPSI's new acquisition!  Simply write your suggestion on an envelope, along with your name, address and hat size, insert it into a stamped addressed letter and hand it in to the Tarry, Whitehead, before noon today.  Get those thinking caps on!
 
 

Elephant shunting in action early on Wednesday morning.

And, quite honestly... We are taking bookings for the 40th Irish Railway Heritage Weekend For full details download the Prospectus    Download the Booking Form here Booking ends on April 15th!