RPSI Home - Steam Train Dates - Online Shop - Website Contents - About Us Whitehead Works Photo News If you had been down at Whitehead on the 27th March 2004, YOU could have been enjoying the reward and satisfaction of helping with: A shunt was taking place to move carriages in the Carriage Shed.  This is not usually done on such a big scale as today.  Taking advantage of the space to clear out some rubbish were James and Philip. Out in the yard, Site Officer and shunter for the day, Dermot, was taking advantage of a lull in proceedings to pour some old sump oil on the point work.  At Whitehead, nothing goes to waste! Outside the Loco Workshop, No.461's boiler and firebox were being sandblasted.  Here Peter (inside the firebox) explains to Bill what needs to be done, before... ...Bill gets into the "space suit" and blasts the inside of the firebox with fine sand. Part of the shunt involved moving No.27 "Lough Erne" inside the Carriage Shed.  Here James undertakes the job of oiling before the loco is moved. No.186 was in steam for crew training and to facilitate the carriage shunt.  The opportunity was taken to pose her with the new carriages.  This is the mainline future of steam in Northern Ireland.  Smart and comfortable. In 186's cab, Robin deftly operates a faceplate injector.  Injectors use steam to inject cold water into the boiler, against the pressure of the steam. At the end of the day, it was time to push the Mark 2 carriages into the carriage shed.  Our connection with the NIR line to Larne can be seen in the distance on the right.  The carriage shed provides secure storage for our carriage collection.  It also provides a dry and wind free area to work in. 186's last move of the day.  Time to drop the fire, ensure the boilers well filled and head for home and the rugby scores! I hope this has given you a fun insight into a typical day volunteering at Whitehead. Why aren't you enjoying life with us?? Click on the RPSI logo (above) to go to the RPSI Homepage