RPSI HOPES TO RESTART IRISH MAIN LINE STEAM THIS YEAR
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is hopeful of getting steam back onto the main line in Ireland by the end of the year, writes ROBIN MORTON.
Although it has no firm dates in the calendar, the society told Steam Railway: “We hope to have some main line trains running before the end of the year, provided all health & safety risks to volunteers and public alike can be mitigated.”
The RPSI ceased operations in March on account of the coronavirus pandemic, and also closed the doors of Whitehead Railway Museum.
The society was working towards reopening the museum on a social-distancing self-guided tour basis during August.
In April, the society was thrown a financial lifeline when the National Lottery Heritage Fund approved payment of a final tranche of funding due as part of the major grant awarded for the Whitehead Museum project.
The RPSI’s general manager Lisa Adair said at the time: “This substantial piece of funding gives us a considerable breathing space, which is particularly important at a time when we are unable to garner any income.”
The RPSI did not say how much that final tranche was worth but it was understood to be a six-figure sum. The NLHF originally awarded a grant of £3.1 million towards the project in 2015, and the museum opened in 2017.
RPSI chairman John McKegney said the society had decided against launching a major appeal but has instead invited donations from members and supporters.
●● The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre opened its doors again on June 29, marking the occasion with an Open Week. General manager Niall McCaughan said that during lockdown the museum had been given a makeover to make it easier to navigate round.