Steaming ahead for a great day out!!

The age of steam returned to Mullingar with Belvedere's September Steam.

 

A great day was had by all as Belvedere's September Steam Train, delighted young and old as this classic steam train puffed its way to Enfield and back on Sunday 13th September 2009.

ROYAL VISIT FOR MULLINGAR.

The Belvedere House Steam Train that visited Mullingar on Sunday 13th September had a very special carriage attached. Royal Saloon No. 351 was built for King Edward VII who decided to visit this far flung outpost of the empire in July 1903.
Railways were still young when, on the 13th June 1842, Queen Victoria was persuaded to travel by train from Berkshire to London. Following the journey, the Queen wrote to her uncle Leopold, King of the Belgians, that she was “Quite charmed” by the experience. The Queen’s trip took place on only two days notice so there was no time to create a purpose built Royal Train but with Royal patronage now assured many railway companies across Ireland, England and Europe constructed specially designed royal saloons.
Royal Saloon No. 351 is divided into three compartments The Reception Saloon, the Smoking Room (for the Kings use) and the Queens Boudoir.
After the founding of the State it was used by Taoiseach W. T Cosgrave to open the rebuilt steel viaduct at Mallow in October 1923. The next almost 40 year period up to 1961 have sparse records of the carriage.

In 1961 in anticipation of the State visit of the Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Agagianian to celebrate the Patrician Year No 351 was taken from underneath it’s dust sheets and substantially refurbished. Between 1961 and the  1970’s when it was retired again, No 351 was used on many occasions, both by Presidents of Ireland  and by visiting dignitaries including such disparate figures such as the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopa. President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and former  President 
Dwight D. Eisenhower of the United States of America.

From the 1970’s the State Coach languished in the open at Inchicore until in 1991 the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland got the vehicle under cover to dry it out with a view to restoring it. That decision was nearly No. 351 downfall! While in the Carriage Conversion Shop at Inchicore, the entire building was gutted by fire in September 1991. Out of the many vehicles in the building, No. 351 suffered the least damage, having been specially hosed down by the Inchicore fire squad who perhaps appreciated its true importance. A scheme was organised between The R.P.S.I and FAS and work started in 1996 with the restoration being completed in 2000.

The Steam Train in Mullingar was organised by The R.P.S.I and Belvedere House and 35 visiting Railway Dignitaries from the U.K were bussed to Belvedere for a guided Tour and Lunch whilst another 30 were bussed to the open day at nearby Lockes Distillery where their Steam Engine and Water Wheel were working. A local excursion for 160 steam enthusiasts from Mullingar to Enfield departed at midday and the Engine took on Water at the Tower in Enfield. A Steam Train uses 40 gallons of water per mile. The R.P.S.I was formed in 1964 as an all Ireland Body and has a holding shed at Mullingar Railway Station. Information about becoming a member and excursion details can be found on www.rpsi-online.org