THE Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) has launched an appeal to raise £25,000 to ensure former GNR S Class 4-4-0 No. 171 Slieve Gullion – last seen on the main line in 2002 – returns to traffic in 2023. If the appeal is successful there is the possibility of having three GNR 4-4-0s available for traffic at the same time for the first time in 60 years. Enthusiasts and the public can then see and experience how the GNR 4-4-0 design evolved over a 32-year period from 1901 when Q Class No. 131 was built, to 1932 when V Class No. 85 Merlin was built.
Funds will allow work on the boiler and frames to be completed and the locomotive to be commissioned back into traffic. Visit www. steamtrainsireland.com for full details of the appeal.