RPSI "Diesel Do" Railtour Gisteren Sunday 21st February 2010 marks a new departure in the history of the RPSI and of railway preservation in Ireland. For over forty years the RPSI have operated special excursion specials all over Ireland using preserved steam locomotives bringing the experience of a bygone era to a new generation.
However, time does not stand still and the locomotives used to replace steam have now come to the end of their time with the railway company and it is now their turn to be preserved. After all they are a significant part of Irish railway history.
The 141 class locomotives were delivered in November and December 1962 from General Motors USA, the first consignment being unloaded at the North Wall, Dublin on 22 November. They were numbered B141 to B177 and were an updated version of the earlier 121 class locomotives, mechanically very similar but with cabs at each end.
These locomotives have served the railway company very well over the following years. Finding work on every possible type of duty, from top link express work to small branch line freight. But like every other locomotive ever built they cannot work in service for ever.
Thanks to the valued assistance from Irish Rail and the generous sponsorship from two individuals the end is not so near for two members of the class. Locomotives 141 and 142 will, on 21st February, begin a new life in preservation with the RPSI.
The "Diesel Do" railtour will mark the transition to RPSI ownership of these two locomotives. Operating a special train from Dublin Connolly (depart 10:50) to Longford giving passengers once again the chance to experience travel behind these once common and popular type of locomotive. The locomotives will be paired up with the preserved rolling stock from the RPSI collection, giving a true feel of what diesel travel was like in those early days after steam left frontline service.
It is sure to be an enjoyable day for all and is one not to be missed. A milestone for both the RPSI and the history of railway preservation in Ireland. Further details, read on...
Seduced by Harps 2010 Gisteren SEDUCED BY HARPS VI - Internationaal harpfestival Zaterdag 27 februari 2010 - 19.00 uur - Tickets: € 15.00 / € 12.75 (-26j. & +55j.) De zesde editie van het jaarlijkse harpfestival ‘Seduced by Harps’ koppelt opnieuw jong talent aan gevestigde waarden. Het is een rijk gevuld programma dat verschillende facetten van de wereldwijde harp exploreert. De drie jonge laureaten van de Harpe Diem wedstrijd concerteren op de klassieke pedaalharp, Masumi Nagasawa (Japan) bespeelt een authentieke solo-pedaalharp uit 1815 en Uschi Laar (Duitsland) musiceert afwisselend op de pedaalharp, de Chinese en de Ierse harp. De eerste twee concertluiken hebben een overwegend klassieke touch, terwijl Uschi Laar in het derde luik met Trio Constellations het publiek meeneemt op een muzikale wereldreis vol verrassende wendingen en klankkleuren. I.s.m. Stichting voor Openbaar Nut Harpe Diem. Natuurlijk in Cultuurcentrum de Adelberg in Lommel [B] niet ver van Eindhoven. Voor eerdere activiteiten met daarbij een routebeschrijving, lees verder...
RPSI trains in 2010 01-02-2010 The Railway Preserving Society of Ireland will organize several trips in 2010, both in the 26 and the 6 counties. Read on...
De RPSI orgamiseert ook in 2010 diverse trips, gedeeltelijk met oude stoomlocomotieven, dit zowel in het noorden als zuiden van Ierland, lees verder...
Mince Pie and Mulled Wine Train 17-12-2009 On 27 December 2009 in Northern-Ireland the Mince Meat and Mulled Wine train will run again. This is an activity of the RPSI, read on...
Van Hamel 9 december 03-12-2009 Vanaf het moment dat Engelse kolonisten en masse voet op Ierse grond zetten, rees de vraag hoever het Engelse gewoonterecht (Common Law) reikte. Onder welke jurisdictie behoorde de Ierse bevolking te vallen, en, minstens zo belangrijk, hoe moest het rechtssysteem worden gehandhaafd in een samenleving waarin het gebied onder controle van de Engelse regering voortdurend veranderde. Het Engelse onvermogen om op deze vragen snelle en effectieve antwoorden te vinden riep allerlei problemen op. Ondanks pogingen van de regering om met forse straffen een alleenheerschappij af te dwingen voor het Engelse recht, bestond er onder de kolonisten de verleiding om elementen van het Ierse recht (Brehon Law) over te nemen. Gelijktijdig zagen vele Ieren de voordelen van het gewoonterecht en trachtten via petities aan de Engelse koning (of diens plaatsvervanger in Ierland) te bewerkstelligen dat zij onder dat recht kwamen te vallen. Lees verder...
Purchase in person, by phone or on-line: Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast BT1 5AD +44 28 9024 6609
SANTA SPECIALS - BELFAST
Tickets are now on sale - the cost covers train travel and, if a child, a present from Santa. NOTE: Times in Italics are sold-out per 18 November 2009!
Sunday 6th December: Trains will depart Belfast Central station at: 11:35 (£10), 13:55 (£10), 16:00 (£9, shorter trip)
Saturday 12th December: Trains will depart Belfast Central station at: 11:05 (£10), 13:40 (£10)
Sunday 13th December: Trains will depart Belfast Central station at: 11:35 (£10), 13:55 (£10), 16:00 (£9, shorter trip)
Saturday 19th December: Trains will depart Belfast Central station at: 11:05 (£10), 13:40 (£10)
Get out the face paints and the seasonal fancy dress and prepare your spooks and ghouls for the RPSI's Belfast-based annual ghost train! You will join the train at Belfast Central for the 1.5 hour round trip to Whitehead and back. On board entertainers will amuse your children and all ticket-holding children will receive a mystical goody bag! With the popularity of Harry Potter, expect to see a few wizards on our steam train!
Trains will depart Belfast Central Station at 12:05pm and 2:15pm.
Tickets, priced at £9, are on sale from:
Belfast Welcome Centre 47 Donegall Place Belfast BT1 5AD
Klangwelten 2009 17-10-2009 In Lommel [B] is er duidelijk aandacht voor wereldmuziek. Naast de bekende Celtic Night 11 is er een programma met ook gebruik van Ierse muzsiekinstrumenten is Klangwelten op 31 oktober 2009, lees verder...
Van Hamel lezingen 2009 01-10-2009 De Stichting Van Hamel voor Keltische Studies, Utrecht, organiseert dit najaar een tweetal Van Hamel lezingen. Ranke de Vries (14 oktober) en Freya Verstraten (9 december). Lees verder...
The poster we have launched for the final phase of the Labour Party's Lisbon campaign is designed to impress upon voters the importance of the Lisbon Treaty and also the importance of turning out to vote on Friday. It carries the simple message :'Yes, it is that important', because nobody should be under any doubt about the importance of the poll next Friday.
The opinion poll results over the weekend have been encouraging, showing a solid majority likely to vote in favour. But nothing can be left to chance. This is far too important an issue for Ireland and for our future.
This is one of the most important referenda we have held in recent decades.
The outcome will determine not just determine our relationship with the rest of Europe. It will also have a major impact on our capacity to recover from the economic crisis and to get people back to work.
The economic environment has changed beyond recognition since we last voted on Lisbon in June 2008. The world has been plunged into an unprecedented recession and the impact has been felt more deeply in Ireland than most other countries.
If we are to recover from the recession and get people back to work, action is required at both national and economic level. We have to work with the EU or we will trail behind other countries when recovery comes.
A no vote would send out a negative message internationally, suggesting that we are, at best, half hearted about the EU. This would be no incentive to foreign investment and would restrict our capacity to create new jobs.
A clear yes vote on the other hand would send out a positive and confident message, that Ireland is open for business, that we welcome foreign investment and the jobs it brings and that we want to remain a fully committed member of the EU.
Given that recent polls have shown a solid majority in favour, there must also be a danger that some people who support the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, may think that it will be automatically carried and that there is no need to turn out to vote. This would be a great mistake.
Everyone has a duty to make their voices heard and to use their votes. Every vote will count. A failure by those who support the Treaty to turn out will run the risk of a second defeat and a potentially very damaging situation for the country.
Lisbon? 19-09-2009 Ireland is going to vote again. Sinn Féin is against current Lisbon proposal. For an alternative guide as pdf-file on ... Lees meer!
NAMA bill 15-09-2009 In Ireland there is much discussion about the the new National Assets Management Agency (NAMA). The opposition is absolutely ... Lees meer!
Celtic Night 11 15-09-2009 Dit najaar is er traditiegetrouw weer Celtic Night in Lommel [BE]. Op zaterdag 14 november treden drie... Lees meer!
Braafheid debuteert met zege bij Celtic Edson Braafheid heeft zondag een succesvol debuut gemaakt bij Celtic. De international won met zijn nieuwe ploeg in de vijfde ronde van het Schotse bekertoernooi met 4-2 bij Dunfermline. Braafheid, gehuurd van Bayern München, speelde sterk en stond aan de basis van twee van de vier doelpunten van Celtic. Lees verder
Column: Sha-la-lie Normaal stuurt de PVV dagelijks e-mails naar de pers met rode uitroeptekens erachter ? ?Urgentie Hoog? ? maar nu Nederland afgelopen weekend tweemaal in zijn nationale integriteit is aangetast, hebben we nog geen enkele mail ontvangen. Lees verder >>
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In het noorden van Ierland en echt de moeite waard. lees verder...
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Industrial Ireland een boek dat iedereen moet hebben die meer over Ierland wil weten. lees verder...
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