 A
lot of work is required even for train which doesn't run on the mainline!
At half past seven James and Chris were getting the Guinness
engine ready for the day's work. |
 The
fire is started by lighting an oily rag, which is then dropped onto the
coal and sticks sitting on the grate below.. |
 Within
a few minutes the fire was lit and another busy day for this 87 year old
shunting engine had begun! |
 After
a few hour's shunting and preparation, the vintage dining car and locomotive
No.85
are at the platform. An interpretive display charting the history of local
railways has been set up outside the shop. |
 The
Guinness engine was hauling trains on the day in question. In order
to advertise the "Portrush Flyer", she is carrying its headboard - a train
she is unlikely to ever haul! |
 "Summer
Steam" organisers Dave and Phil consult with Guard's assistant Chris in
the cab of No.85
Merlin. |
 The
train rides operate up and down the site, giving local people a taste of
the RPSI's larger operations. What comes as a surprise to many RPSI volunteers
is the lack of awareness of what the society does among the local population.
Hopefully these train rides help to spread that awareness. |
 Passengers
were given the opportunity of guided tours of the sheds and workshops.
One job in progress on the day was an inspection and minor repairs to No.186's
regulator valve. |
 The
RPSI employs a handful of full time employees to work on our rolling stock.
However income from trains and membership fees alone are not enough to
allow us to keep our skilled workforce in employment. Luckily there is
a demand for the sort of heritage skills and engineering which are carried
out at Whitehead, and the RPSI is taking advantage of this by doing work
for other railways. This way our employees can be retained in employment
to work on the RPSI's own projects. Here brand new tanks for ex County
Donegal Railway locomotive Drumboe have been rivetted
together. Hot rivetting is a dying art which the RPSI is proud to be able
to help"preserve". |
 In
the carriage shed another job for Donegal is underway - a complete rebuild
of 3 foot gauge railcar trailer No.5. Two of the RPSI's skilled joiners
are at work on this project. |
 Volunteers
are always in short supply in Whitehead. Another major project being started
is the preparation for service of Mk2 Brake First No.463. A small team
is working on this coach, the most visible work to date being the beginning
of the paintwork by master painter Joe Galbraith. His handiwork can be
seen on the six RPSI Mk2s already in service, and on the Dining Car, seen
here beyond 463. We need skilled and unskilled people to help with the
overhaul of a coach like this, for example - general labouring, upholstery
work, woodwork, painting and electrical. Could
YOU help and really make a difference to coach No. 463? |
