Steam age relic back on track

A steam locomotive dating back to 1879 is back on track in County Antrim after £85,000 worth of renovation work.

The train will operate special tourist excursions throughout Ireland

Rail enthusiasts gathered at Whitehead station on Thursday to celebrate the 125th birthday of Steam Engine 186.

Designed by Sharp Stewart in Manchester for the Great Southern and Western Railway in Dublin, it will operate special tourist excursions throughout Ireland.

Almost 40 years ago, the locomotive was narrowly saved from the scrapheap, and went on to feature in a number of films including The First Great Train Robbery with Sean Connery in 1978.

The steam age veteran is still going strong, thanks to the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) which has completed a four-year restoration project.

To mark the occasion, head of Northern Ireland's public transport company, Translink Chief Executive Keith Moffatt drove the train through a commemorative tape to formally mark the event.

He said: "While we in Translink and our passengers prepare for a new era in rail transport with the introduction of our latest C3K diesel trains, it is important that we do not forget our rich railway heritage and the RPSI certainly helps to keep this alive."

RPSI president Lord O'Neill said number 186 was one of the first locomotives secured by the society after its formation in 1964.

"Because of her light axle-load, she can operate on lines throughout Ireland which means she is a valuable asset to the society," he said.

Its chairman, Norman Foster, said the train would be a major draw for both railway enthusiasts and tourists.

He said: "We are now drawing up a programme of special trips which will see number 186 visiting many far-flung parts of the Irish rail network, north and south."