Railway People – Martina Hand – Railway Preservation Society of Ireland | Season 4 – Episode 45

Welcome to the fourth episode of our interview series ‘railway people’, showcasing the dedicated women and men who volunteer with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI).

RPSI

Founded in 1964, the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is dedicated to protecting Irish steam locomotives and rolling stock, operating them on the mainline rail network. Through the efforts of volunteers and collaboration with Irish Rail, the society upholds traditions to ensure the continued operation of steam trains.

VOLUNTEERING

Martina Hand joined the society in 2014 and her first rail journey from Dublin to Kilkenny was with her mother. Following this first trip she got to know all the volunteers and to see how operating the train worked firsthand. In her time as a volunteer, Martina has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland and met many lovely people.

Martina recounted how as a volunteer you are given many opportunities and how she is currently working in the bar car and also lays claim to serving “the finest pint of Guinness in Ireland”. 

FAVOURITE RAIL JOURNEY?

One question we always ask RPSI volunteers is their favourite rail journey in Ireland? Without hesitation Martina told us about the approach to Cahir in County Tipperary, where for a few kilometres the steel rails are of the old, jointed type and when the train passes over them a lovely ‘clickety-clack’ noise is produced!

FAVOURITE LOCO? 

Martina’s favourite locomotive is “Class Leader 071”. Growing up in Blanchardstown in northwest Dublin alongside the railway tracks, many of her neighbours worked on the railways and she has fond memories of diesel hauled trains. Loco 071 resonated with her as a child seeing this mighty machine heading westwards out of Dublin hauling barrels of Guinness. 

While 071 has had different livery over the years, in recent times Irish Rail has repainted the locomotive to its original colours featuring the ‘broken wheel’ CIÉ (Córas Iompair Éireann) emblem. The sister/ brother 073 locomotive has the ‘double I, double R’, Irish Rail emblem painted on the front. 

STEAM OR DIESEL? 

A possibly controversial question was asked of Tina – does she prefer a steam or diesel locomotive? She diplomatically responded that she wanted to “keep the peace on that one, as she has great friends on the steam locomotive and on the diesels”. Martina when on to say that she equally enjoys both types of locomotives. 

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RAILWAY FAMILY

Martina recently celebrated ten years of volunteering with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and concluded our interview by saying; “We are just like one big railway family!”

Find out more about volunteering with RPSI ttps://www.steamtrainsireland.com/membership/volunteering

Check out our first three episodes of Railway People featuring, RPSI Chairman Peter Rigney,  Deputy Train Manager, Bill Garrioch and Carriage Steward, Joe Darling.

Peter Rigney: https://fb.watch/oi3PZosiKY/ 

Bill Garrioch: https://www.facebook.com/reel/716809133665466

Joe Darling: https://fb.watch/sNjHkCl9un/

Our thanks to Martina Hand, Peter Rigney and Joe Darling

Sources of Information:

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI)

Tech Specs

• The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland have a large collection of carriages steam and diesel locomotives.
• The first locomotive the Guinness Engine was donated to the society in 1965.
• Over the years other locomotives such as Ex-GNR(I) No. 171 "Slieve Gullion" were added to the collection and in 2015 the society purchased No. 131 - 184 & 461.

Written By:

Kevin Reid

Ireland Made®, established by Kevin Reid, is committed to preserving Irish transport heritage with twice weekly stories of transport past and present. If it has wings, wheels or it floats and has a connection to Ireland you will find it here.