£120,000 appeal launched to return Irish preservation group’s Slieve Gullion to steam

THE Railway Preservation Society of Ireland has launched a £120,000 appeal to complete the restoration of its semi-overhauled flagship Great Northern Railway (Ireland) ‘S’ class No. 171 Slieve Gullion.

The popular 4-4-0 last steamed in July 2002, and in early 2014 it crossed the Irish Sea to undergo a contract overhaul by Rail Restorations North East Ltd (RRNE) in Shildon, County Durham.

**GNR(I) No. 171 *Slieve Gullion* passes Ballinasloe with the RPSI’s ‘Corrib’ railtour on May 11, 2002, just two months before retiring to Whitehead for overhaul. CHARLES FRIEL**

Unfortunately, RRNE ceased trading part way into the project and No. 171 was returned unfinished to Whitehead in early 2015, where it has been on public display since.