Waiting for the Whistle

© Eugene Brennan

No. 186, which was built in 1879 and worked as a goods engine, but also on passenger trains. Her last operation was hauling beet in 1962/63. Up until a few years ago, she was the oldest engine still operating on the mainline, but is now out of service, probably permanently, and on display at Whitehead Museum, This was from an excursion to Maynooth in 2012. How much of the original locomotive remains I don't know, and it's probably a bit like the proverbial Ship of Theseus or Trigger's Broom (Which had "17 new heads and 14 new handles"). The firebox and boiler tubes have been replaced on several occasions I think at the RPSI's Whitehead works near Carrickfergus. The driver for this trip was Ken Fox. Not sure who the other man is.

© Eugene Brennan

No. 131 — Built in Glasgow in 1901, Withdrawn in 1963

No. 186, built in the 1870s and up until a few years ago, the oldest locomotive still running on the mainline. © Eugene Brennan

I could look at steam trains all day.
No. 131 isn't the oldest locomotive in the RPSI's collection of vintage steam trains. That honour goes to No. 186 which was built in the 1880s and worked as a goods engine but also on passenger trains. Her last operation was hauling beet in 1962/63.