No.131 Back In Steam (2015-2017)

On Sunday 22nd February 2015 No.131 ventured out for a test trip to Carrickfergus - its first mainline run under RPSI ownership.

31/1/2015: No.131's first move under its own steam (since 1962?). On a Saturday afternoon the locomotive moves up and down the yard at Whitehead. (C.P. Friel)

22/2/2015: A few weeks later, on a Sunday evening, No.131 makes its first move onto the NIR system at 22:43, after the last train to Larne has departed.

22/2/2015: No.131, with the tender from No.171 "Slieve Gullion", looks like a locomotive once again after years lying in bits. This was the first venture onto the mainline network since the very early 1960s.

22/2/2015: The first examination stop was at the Oil Farm between Whitehead and Kilroot. The first trial run is always taken very cautiously with frequent stops made to check all the moving parts and bearings.

22/2/2015: An atmospheric view at the Oil Farm.

22/2/2015: At 23:04 the locomotive was stopped again for examination at Downshire.

22/2/2015: It's a big occasion for the crew too, so after the checks are complete at Downshire it is time for photographs.

22/2/2015: Carrickfergus was reached at 23:16.

22/2/2015: Apart from the illuminated board and yellow line, this view of No.131 and Carrickfergus station could be any time from the 1930s onwards.

22/2/2015: The 'proud parents' - Noel Playfair, NIR driver, and Peter Scott, RPSI Locomotive Officer, take a break at Carrickfergus

22/2/2015: Driver Gary Moore gives a bemused glance at the photographer while Sam Somerville and Mark Buchanan look on.

22/2/2015: All set for the chimney-first return to Whitehead at around 23:30.

22/2/2015: The locomotive is steaming and ready to go.

23/2/2015: As the clock ticked into Monday morning, the next examination was at Kilroot.

23/2/2015: The NIR crew take it easy while the RPSI feel round the bearings

23/2/2015: The locomotive looks well under the Kilroot lights. Just a coat of black paint needed to complete the picture.

23/2/2015: Plenty of lights and a clear signal ahead for the return to Whitehead.

23/2/2015: NIR's Whitehead station about 00:30 on Monday morning at the end of a successful trial. The locomotive was judged to have acquitted itself well.

5/11/2017: After the initial test run in 2015, the locomotive was withdrawn again for fitting out and provision of a new tender. The next mainline outing was a test run, seen here at Whitehead complete with shiny new tender. (N. Lawrence)

5/11/2017: No.131 and empty test train arriving in Carrickfergus. (C.P. Friel)

5/11/2017: No.131 passing the White Harbour on the return to Whitehead. (C.P. Friel)

5/11/2017: Back at Whitehead (mainline) after her first trip with a train. (N. Lawrence)

5/11/2017: Another test run was made, this time to Belfast Central, and the return storms through Whiteabbey. (C.P. Friel)

5/11/2017: Nearing Greenisland on the day's second test run. (S. Ailín)

19/11/2017: A second day of tests, and No.131 at Downshire returning from a second trip to Belfast. (C.P. Friel)

27/11/2017: After a number of mainline test runs, No.131 entered public service quietly on the Saturday of the Victorian Street Fair train rides at Whitehead.

27/11/2017: Michael McCann and Nelson Poots were the footplate crew for No.131's first public trains.

27/11/2017: Resting after a busy day on train rides. (M. Wilson)