Youth praised at RPSI golden jubilee dinner

Lord ONeill clad in his historic Belfast & Northern Counties Railway station-masters uniform, which he wore at the RPSI's golden jubilee dinner at Belfast City Hall (photo by Charles Friel) INCT 38-759-CON

A total of 260 guests were present, including 50 delegates from the Heritage Railway Association, which was holding its autumn meeting in Northern Ireland.

And members took the opportunity to raise a toast to Lord O’Neill from Shane’s Castle, who has been patron and then president of the Whitehead-based RPSI for 50 years.

“We think that having the same person acting as president for such a long time must represent some sort of record,” said Denis Grimshaw, the RPSI chairman.

“Lord O’Neill chaired the inaugural meeting, which was held on September 30, 1964 at the Presbyterian Hostel in Bedford Street, very close to the City Hall. His support has been enormously important to the society ever since and indeed, his commitment elevated our status and helped to open doors from the word go.”

Mr Grimshaw, who was elected as the first honorary secretary of the society, has vivid memories of that inaugural meeting.

“Those involved were from all age groups right down to schoolboys and we were united by a common goal – we were determined that the age of steam should not be allowed to die.”

From the outset, the RPSI has been an all-island body and this was a deliberate choice by the members who attended the inaugural meeting.

Lord O’Neill said: “I just cannot imagine where the last 50 years have gone but I am delighted that the society has delivered on its original objectives and is still going strong. We are now looking to the next generation to drive the society forward and we are encouraged by the number of young people who are becoming involved.”