Two volunteers for the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland have been telling their remarkable story of discussing steam trains with the Queen during her recent visit to Northern Ireland and how she took an interest in their hobby in the 50th anniversary year of the Society.
Mark and Ruth Walsh, from Belfast, returned to Northern Ireland from their honeymoon the day before the Royal garden party at Hillsborough Castle. Jet lag didn’t prevent them from attending and whilst waiting in a queue for food they were approached by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Belfast and asked if they would like to meet the Queen.
Ruth explained “It was quite a surprise! We were grouped together and the Queen took time to talk to every one of us. It was remarkable how intrigued she was with everyone’s stories. I explained to her that we operate steam trains for the public but on the main railway lines of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, just like steam trains were more than 50 years ago. She was very interested and commented that she thought children would love the noise and sight of a steam train.”
The Queen moved on to speak to Mark and was keen to know if he drove the locomotives. Mark said “I explained to her what the volunteers do at our County Antrim base at Whitehead to restore the trains for everyone to enjoy and I was really pleased that she said ‘steam trains are so much nicer than modern diesel trains’”!
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is celebrating 50 years since it’s foundation in 1964. Since then the group have built workshops and a base in Whitehead and in Dublin and operate steam trains from both places all over Ireland, North and South. Mark commented “we have just put tickets on sale for our Portrush Flyer trains from Belfast-Portrush in the summer and I was hoping to ask Prince Philip if he would like to join us for a day out and a poke, but sadly we ran out of time before I got to speak to him”!
Tickets for the “Portrush Flyer” steam trains are on sale now. Operating on Sundays 27th July, 10th, 31st August and 14th September, they cost £22 for Adults and £15 for Children and offer a full day excursion by steam train from Belfast to Portrush and back, with plenty of time at Portrush to take in the sights and dip a toes in the water. The train is hauled by mighty steam locomotive “Merlin” and is complete with a Dining Carriage serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and a full bar.
Tickets are on sale from Belfast Welcome Centre (Tel: +44 28 9024 6609) or online from www.steamtrainsireland.com