Railway People – Joe Darling – Railway Preservation Society of Ireland | Season 3 – Episode 95
Wheels Dec 29, 2023
Welcome to the third episode of our interview series featuring ‘railway people’, the men and women who volunteer with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI).
In this episode we interview Carriage Steward, Joe Darling who joined the RPSI as a volunteer approximately thirty years ago. While his current role is as a Steward, assisting passengers, he was for many years active as a member of the work crew on the restoration of the very Craven-built coaches were we conducted our interview.
In his current role as a Steward, he assists passengers with their queries and while he doesn’t do as much on the coaches as he used to – in his own words, he “does his part”. Clearly relishing his role, Joe told us that some passengers have remarked that he must be getting well paid for what he does for the RPSI. And his response is that he does gets well paid, but not with money. His payment is to see people enjoying themselves.
Established in 1964, the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland safeguards Irish steam locomotives and rolling stock, operating them on the mainline rail network. Relying on volunteers and partnering with Irish Rail, the society preserves traditions, to ensure the continued operation of steam trains. Find out more about volunteering with RPSI https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/membership/volunteering
Check out the first and second episodes of ‘Railway People’ featuring Chairman, Peter Rigney and Deputy Train Manager, Bill Garrioch.
Information sources: Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI)
#irelandmade #ad #rpsi #railwayprotectionsocietyofireland #railway #irishrailway #merlin #volunteering
