Return To The Main Line (2021)

  1. Home
  2. Members
  3. Galleries

After a hiatus of 22 months since Christmas 2019, steam returned to the main line on Saturday 2nd October 2021 with a series of test trains between Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Magheramorne Loop. Due to engineering works at Whiteabbey, the Larne line was closed to service trains and the RPSI had the line to itself. These were non-public trains to test that all was well with locomotive (No.131) and carriages. Also, there was a reassessment of the drivers and firemen. Whitehead - Carrickfergus; LE: Carrickfergus - Greenisland & return; Carrickfergus - Magheramorne & return; LE: Carrickfergus - Greenisland & return; Carrickfergus - Whitehead - Carrickfergus; LE: Carrickfergus - Greenisland & return; Carrickfergus - Magheramorne - Whitehead (NIR) - Whitehead (RPSI).

The day started with a beautiful sunrise at Whitehead. (N. Lawrence)

A bit of shunting to arrange the train, including moving the newly-restored Guinness grain van 504. (J.A. Cassells)

Some of those involved - Ben McDonald (RPSI), Noel Playfair (NIR) and the West Coast Rail driver and guard assessors. (J.A. Cassells)

No.131 and train leaving Whitehead for Carrickfergus. (J.A. Cassells)

The locomotive passing Trooperslane - it had to run light from Carrickfegus to Greenisland to cross over. (J.A. Cassells)

Negotiating the level crossing at Trooperslane. (J.A. Cassells)

An interesting long-range shot of the train returning from Carrickfergus along Belfast Lough, taken from the Stena ferry. (T. Lockett)

Heading towards Magheramorne over the Larne Lough causeway near Ballycarry. Thought to be the first Q Class locomotive on this stretch of line. (J.A. Cassells)

On the causeway to Magheramorne. (J.A. Cassells)

No.131 and train looking very fine on the approach to Magheramorne Loop. (A. Maxwell)

Climbing the Slaughterford Bank, on the approach to Whitehead from Magheramorne. (J.A. Cassells)

Entering the Society's headquarters after the first set of runs. The substitution buses for the closed line can be seen in the background. (J.A. Cassells)

Leaving Whitehead in the evening light for the second series of runs. (J.A. Cassells)

It was getting late when the last departure from Carrickfergus was made. Knockagh, with its monument, is visible in the background. (M. Crockett)