RPSI - More great news

I thought it was time the RPSI had its own (our own!) thread - there is such a lot of good news at the moment (despite some recent setbacks).
To start with: how about this photo: http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/images/gallery/20150507_85_connolly_mooney.jpg
That's right: a top link express loco, back in its home shed, right in the heart of the capital! RPSI has recently been granted a licence to use the former locomotive shed at Connolly (formerly Amiens St) station. This is the equivalent of having the Hoskins collection take over King's Cross or Camden sheds.
Then there's the ongoing restoration of GNR 4-4-0 No 131: http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/images/locomotives/loco131/20150318_131_wdx_2.jpg (with tender borrowed from 171). Yes - a Victorian (just) Scottish built 4-4-0 is back in steam (for the first time since the early 1960s) and will be back on the mainline soon - yes, you read that right!
And let's not forget the ongoing developments at Whitehead which will make it one of the best heritage railway sites in the British Isles: http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/images/whitehead_2020/20150307_plans_4.jpg And the Whitehead pilot loco, 3BG 'Guiness', is also due back fairly soon - a restoration with very substantial contributions from the RPSI's youth.
There's lots more: LMS NCC 2-6-4T Jeep No 4 should be back soon - also on the main line (so for anyone sad that 2500 hasn't made an appearance...)
Also, despite the unfortunately delay due to events beyond the RPSI's control, 171 'Slieve Gullion' is on her way back to the mainline too.
Great times - so why not join the RPSI to keep them coming?!?!?

 

Can we have the Jeep and 131 on next year's International Rail Tour please?

 

What a handsome loco that GNR 4-4-0 is.

 

Which one? We've 3 of them...


Keith

 

From RPSI website: 14th June - Locomotive News:
The Society's versatile NCC 2-6-4T locomotive No.4, commenced a series of running-in trials on Sunday 14th June as this shot from Charles Friel shows: http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/images/locomotives/loco4/20150614_4_eden_1.jpg

 

Great news!- the RPSI guys are going to be spoilt for choice for motive power!

Chris

 

How about lending some of them out to some hypothetical branch line preservation scheme in the Republic? A J15 or two and a handful of coaches would set up a nice branch line somewhere.

 

That was investigated a few years back by a number of people who had been/are involved with the RPSI/DCDR etc. I don't think a suitable site could be found that would be sustainable in terms of visitors or volunteers.
I believe the RPSI have in the past been open to the idea of loaning equipment, subject to knowing who they're lending it to and the finances involved. I don't think they'd want a situation like the GSRPS and 131.

Keith

 

I think the Attymon Junction to Loughrea branch was considered, it would have been an ideal length. I suppose it's not so easy in a less industrialised and more thinly populated country, would need to be nearer Dublin perhaps.

Several schemes have foundered in the past.

John

 

It's good to hear the idea is " on board" so to speak. Finding a location and the manpower would never be easy I agree and certainly it would need to be in easy reach of Dublin

 

tbh and much as I regret it, I don't think there is the Tourist potential in Cork. The obvious Cork location would be Youghal, (as an extension of the Midleton branch), which is a fading seaside town, some infrastructure still present, but I can't see it succeeding.

 

The plan was to be within 60 mins drive of Dublin in order to try to catch the largest population of potential volunteers. They had criteria such as something to see/somewhere to go at the end of the line, ensuring that there are not too many level crossings or major bridges to reinstate, good public access etc etc. 18 sites were identified which were whittled down to 2 - one 'somewhat north of Dublin' and one 'somewhat south of Dublin' - I have no idea where the sites/routes are.
Just looking back on the dates and it would seem that the project was formed in 2008 and faded out around 2011. The final site selected was supposed to be announced in late 2011 but no announcement was made, the website wasn't updated and it finally went offline in 2014.

It is very unfortunate, but with such a sparse population in Ireland, volunteer critical mass is difficult which makes heritage railways hard to setup and operate. If you go for population centres such as Dublin or Belfast then the land becomes prohibitively expensive.

I think maybe you've misunderstood me - the idea was being considered, but is now (as far as I'm aware) dead.


Keith

 

no I didn't misunderstand you. I realise it's a non runner at present, but it's good to know the idea has been floated before .Hopefully it may be possible to look at it again in the future.

 

No probs!

If we're talking about Irish railway schemes, I should also mention:

The RPSI investigating rebuilding the Scarva-Banbridge branch (6.75 miles) in the early 1980s. This was eventually shelved when there was little support in the Banbridge area and the DCDR had just been launched. The RPSI then lent equipment/rolling stock to the DCDR and the 2 groups although separate, have a good relationship.

The DCDR was originally planned to be the Downpatrick and Ardglass Railway - Ardglass was abandoned as a target due to opposition in the Ballynoe area (roughly mid way). The DCDR then rebranded and targeted Inch Abbey Ballydugan Mill and Downpatrick as the stations on it's unique triangular layout.

The BCDRMT - where do you start? Probably best to say 'multiple dreamers' and leave it at that!

The GSRPS had it's finger in a number of pies, including the Tralee & Dingle railway, a base at Mallow (restoring carriages and GNR(I) 131) and a project for the Cobh Juction - Youghal branch and later the Tralee - Fenit line.

Westrail ran railtours from it's base in Tuam using CIE E428 and GSWR 90. It was killed off by CIE who removed their mainline connection.


Keith

 

Off to Ireland tomorrow with Steam Dreams Emerald Isle Explorer for my first and very belated taste of Irish steam. I hope the Jeep is ready to go.

 

Hope you have a great time.
I don't think No4 is quite ready yet - I think you'll be getting compound action with No85 and probably some action with No461


Keith

 

From yesterday's RPSI email bulletin (in relation to the Steam & Jazz train on Friday 19th, but of relevance to the question about No. 4 and the Steam Dreams tour):

Following its successful tests on Sunday 14th June No.4 is ready for traffic. Unfortunately, however, NIR have not been able to convene their approvals panel in time to grant No.4 a certificate to operate passenger trains. That being the case, the 19th June train will be hauled by a diesel.​

 

85 Sunday.Lm Junc/Mallow/Killarney

85 Monday Killarney/Tralee return

85 Tuesday Killarney/Mallow/Lim Junc
and
461 LimJunc/Waterford

(There are more workings too)

 

Is there any news on 131's return to steam as mentioned above ? I'm planning to visit when she's out and about...