Dad, I bet you never had a train set like this!

Not only will there be steam train rides and the chance to see some rail heritage under restoration, but a selection of historic mainline diesel locomotives and a Routemaster bus will be on display.

John Lockett, vice-chairman of RPSI, explained: “Our steam shed open days allow the public to really interact with our railway treasures. The public can climb into our restored carriages and wagons. They can feel the heavy guards brake wheel, smell the steam from the steam engine and hear the beat of the pistons.”

“This year we are storing and restoring two very rare diesel locomotives in preparation for an imminent move to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra. Many visitors will remember seeing and travelling behind one of them, built in Leeds in 1970 for the Enterprise service from Belfast to Dublin. The other was the first mainline diesel locomotive used in Ireland, built in 1950 by CIE in their workshops in Inchicore in Dublin. It is historically very important and provided learning for the production of many later diesel locomotives.”

At the head of demonstration steam trains on the day will be the 1919 built locomotive “Guinness” which used to shunt wagons of the famous stout at the brewery in Dublin.

Mervyn Darragh, operations officer of the RPSI, commented: “The Guinness engine was donated to us back in 1965 and was the first ever steam locomotive we had. Being small and blue, the loco often excites Thomas the Tank Engine fans. We are even luckier this year to have a visiting Routemaster bus for passengers to experience. Although a static display, the bus will join the full transport circle from steam train to diesel train to diesel bus.”

Train rides and site tours will be available from Whitehead Excursion Station from 2pm-5pm on Sunday.