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Forty Shades of Steam: The story of the RPSI

Category: Transport

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland was founded in 1964 and in 2004 celebrated forty years of active steam preservation. The Society is now a household name in Ireland, offering families and enthusiasts the opportunity of regular trips by steam train and a unique day out to such destinations as Bangor, Greystones, Maynooth and Portrush.

In Britain the RPSI is also well known as the operator of such famous locomotives as Merlin and Slieve Gullion and at one time was the only preservation society in the British Isles able to offer mainline steam trips.

This book is a celebration of the achievements of the RPSI over 40 years. It has a foreword by Society President, Lord O'Neill, and full colour coverage of RPSI activities, including contracts for films featuring stars such as Julia Roberts and Sean Connery. It will be a unique souvenir for those who travel on RPSI trains and will prove popular with enthusiasts. It contains a brief history of the RPSI and tables listing all RPSI operations since 1964 as well as details of locomotives, carriages and other rolling stock.

CONTENTS

Foreword by Lord O'Neill
Introduction - the best of times
The RPSI - the story so far
How it all started
How the society acquired its locomotives
Flying high, 30 years on
Now for the next 40 years...
Down memory lane - highlights of RPSI history
Forty years of the RPSI in pictures

 ©2008 Colourpoint Books