| This prestigious award is one of the HRA
Annual Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to railway preservation.
It was instituted in 2000 in memory of the late Dr. John Coiley, first
keeper of the National Railway Museum.
For a trophy, the NRM has loaned a spring-loaded locomotive safety valve
dating from the 1830s, of the type designed by Timothy Hackworth and first
used on the Stockton & Darlington Railway – an early and vital development
in railway safety. The cost of making the display case and mounting
the safety valve in it was met by the Friends of the National Railway Museum.
No.186
is the oldest survivor of the most numerous class of locomotive (diesel
or steam) ever operated in Ireland and is by 25 years the oldest steam
locomotive currently passed to operate on a mainline railway in the U.K.
Her overhaul marks her own 125th birthday and the 40th birthday of the
RPSI.
RPSI Vice Chairman Johnny Glendinning commented
"The quality of No.186 following her latest overhaul, recognised by this
award, is testament to the first class engineering expertise we have in
the RPSI and is a fine present for the RPSI's 40th anniversary year."
A major accolade for:
-
Our members and the public, whose support
for the 186 Appeal raised funds to make the
overhaul possible.
-
Peter Scott, the RPSI Locomotive Officer,
whose dedication in driving his team of volunteer
and paid staff at Whitehead has provided a high quality locomotive overhaul.
-
the RPSI in its 40th
anniversary year.
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