Whitehead Railway Museum is pleased to announce the commencement of their Steam Saturdays at the Excursion Station. The return of the steam train rides marks the start of what is expected to be the award-winning museum’s most successful year. 2018 was recorded as the busiest year for the unique tourist attraction, as it welcomed visitors from across the globe, including America, Australia and Europe and the numbers are set to continue.
A steam engine built 100 years ago which celebrated its centenary this year, will be the star of the show this summer. No. 3BG Guinness, which worked at the famous Dublin brewery for 45 years before being presented to the RPSI, will be providing steam train rides as part of the Whitehead Railway Museum’s Summer Steam season.
The steam train rides stir the senses as you step on board a traditional steam train. Visitors will have the chance to see The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) footplate crew at work, shovelling coal into the firebox and preparing the engine for each of its runs.
RPSI General Manager Lisa Adair said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this extra attraction at Whitehead Railway Museum over the summer months. The steam train ride is always very popular for our visitors young and old as the sound, smell and sight of the locomotive creates a magical atmosphere. We have a really exciting programme of events coming up over the summer including our Afternoon Tea and Steam & Jazz events and we would be delighted to welcome visits, old and new to experience all that we have to offer.”
The train rides will operate this Saturday 25th May, Saturday 29th June and every Saturday in July and August from 12 midday to 4pm, departing from Whitehead Railway Museum platform every 15 minutes.
There is also the chance to visit the award-winning Whitehead Railway Museum which is open from 10am to 4pm, Thursday to Saturday and guided tours are at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Later in the summer, the Museum will also open on Sundays.
Tickets for the steam train rides can be purchased on the day and are priced at £2 for children and £2.50 for adults. For further details about Whitehead Railway Museum opening times and the steam train rides, visit www.steamtrainsireland.com.