Question over ‘Q’ return to Dublin

Newly restored GNR(I) ‘Q’ 4-4-0 No. 131 has broken new ground with a trip to Portadown – but no date has been set for its return to Dublin.

The locomotive ventured further down the Great Northern main line with a Santa Special on December 9, becoming the first ‘Q’ at Portadown since the early 1960s.

The main impediment to the engine crossing the border – the absence of an Irish Rail train radio in the cab – is due to be rectified early in the new year.

RPSI Locomotive Running Officer James Friel said: “Design work is nearly complete on the enclosures to house this bulky equipment in the cabs of Nos. 131 and 85.

“Unfortunately this will eat further into the space for crew belongings, tools and equipment, but we are hoping to have radios in both engines by early 2019.”