Queen’s Award for railway heritage group

Lord O'Neill with a group of RPSI volunteers who worked on the restoration of Ivan, the Great Northern brake van. INCT 21-726-CON

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland was named as a winner in the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service scheme - the highest accolade given to volunteer groups across the UK.

This year, awards have been won by a record 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

The RPSI operates more than 80 steam trains a year for the public on the tracks on Northern Ireland Railways and Irish Rail, carrying around 15,000 passengers a year.

Lord O’Neill, who has served as RPSI president since its formation in 1964, expressed his delight at the group’s recognition.

“The Society has always been an all-island organisation, open to all but the volunteers have been the secret of our success,” he said. “Those who give up so much of their free time to keep the trains running fully deserve this kudos.”

The RPSI relies on its volunteers to keep the wheels turning in everything from maintenance and marketing to steam-raising, checking tickets, operating the buffet car and acting as coach stewards.

Dr Joan Smyth, vice-president of the RPSI, said: “This year our trains will visit most of the Irish railway system – from Coleraine to Cork and from Portadown to Portlaoise. Steam trains still turn heads – and are a valuable part of our transport heritage.”

The RPSI is poised to develop its base at Whitehead as a heritage centre and museum where visitors will be able to see restoration work in progress on the carriages and engines, some of which were originally built 100 years ago.

Membership of the Society now stands at around 1,000, with a third each from Northern Ireland, the Republic and Britain.

RPSI chairman Denis Grimshaw said: “We are particularly encouraged to see a new generation of volunteers coming forward and this augurs well for the future of the Society. They are not afraid to get their hands dirty or work unsociable hours to ensure that the train leaves on time.

“The RPSI is now an important player in the tourism field, and we regularly have visitors from Britain and further afield coming to Ireland specifically to travel on our trains and perhaps building a holiday around that.”

Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim, Joan Christie, will be visiting the RPSI’s base later in the summer to present the Society with the award.