
Railway People – Joe Darling’s Attraction to Steam – Railway Preservation Society of Ireland | Season 5 – Episode 7
Wheels Jan 24, 2025
Welcome to the fifth instalment of our interview series featuring “Railway People”—the dedicated men and women who volunteer with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI).
Joe Darling, a Carriage Steward and dedicated volunteer of over thirty years shares his childhood memories of steam engines when growing up on Dublin’s North Strand, when he delighted in watching trains pass by Fairview Park, enjoying the sounds of the engines and the aroma of steam and smoke.
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FAVOURITE JOURNEY
In my interview with Joe, I asked him about his favourite train journey. He shared that traveling to Cork City, Kent Station, holds a special place in his heart. The highlight of this journey is being on board when the train emerges from the Cork Railway Tunnel—a 1.2-kilometer (0.75-mile) tunnel built between 1847 and 1855 that stretches from Blackpool to Kent Station on Lower Glanmire Road.
Joe described the experience vividly: “It’s a long tunnel, and the sound of the engine coming out is unbelievable—the wonderful roar combined with the lovely smell of smoke and steam is unforgettable.” He reminisced about the days when two engines, No. 85 and No. 171, would emerge simultaneously from the tunnel, creating a powerful symphony of sounds.
RPSI
Established in 1964, the all-island Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is dedicated to safeguarding Irish steam locomotives and rolling stock by operating them on the mainline rail network. Relying on the passion and commitment of volunteers and partnering with Irish Rail, the society preserves cherished railway traditions to ensure the continued operation of steam trains. Find out more about volunteering with RPSI https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/membership/volunteering
Explore Our Previous Episodes of “Railway People”:
Chairman, Peter Rigney
Deputy Train Manager, Bill Garrioch
Carriage Steward, Joe Darling
Volunteer Bar Staff, Tina Hand
Steaming by the Irish Sea – September 2023
If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
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Our thanks to Joe Darling, Peter Rigney and Tina Hand and the RPSI
Tech Specs
- Founded in 1964 the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) operates steam locomotives on mainlines with volunteers and Irish Rail staff