Two Steam engines to be named 'Hero' and 'Remembrance'

In the years between the two World Wars the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway named one of its engines 'Remembrance' to honour those who made the supreme sacrifice during the First World War. The engine was transferred to the Southern Railway at the formation of the Big Four in 1923, and to British Railways at Nationalisation in 1948. It was scrapped by British Railways in 1957, since which time little or nothing has been done by any of the railways of the United Kingdom to honour our Armed Forces.

This has prompted the Belfast & County Down Railway Museum Trust to negotiate terms for the purchase of two Polish steam locomotives that will be named 'Hero' and 'Remembrance' to honour all of those who have served our country in the various conflicts over the years, including the two World Wars, the Korean War, the conflict in Northern Ireland, the Gulf Wars, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

It is the Trust's aim to have these two engines, one of which is in working order, brought to Northern Ireland for use on a new Heritage Railway for which the Trust is in process of submitting a planning application. This will operate between Saintfield and Ballynahinch in County Down, along part of the former Belfast & County Down Railway that was closed by the Ulster Transport Authority in 1950.

Following full restoration the two engines will be dedicated, and retained in working order, as permanent memorials to the forces of the United Kingdom and its allies during the various conflicts in which our country has been involved during the last 100 years. These engines are considered to be particularly appropriate to our plan, as a Polish squadron of Spitfires was based at Ballyhalbert airfield in County Down during the Second World War.

In order to secure the engines the Trust needs to enlist the support of the general public, the Armed Forces, and indeed anyone who is willing to support a special tribute to those who have been involved, and are still involved, in the protection of our freedom and security.

We are appealing therefore for support from every possible quarter, and would direct anyone interested to visit the Trust's web site at:

www.countydownrailwaymuseum.org.uk/index.htm

Copies of a 'Pledge of Support' form can be downloaded from the web site, or copies of the brochure detailing the Trust's its plans, and its plans for the two engines, may be obtained from:

The B.& C.D.R. Museum Trust,
2 Swallow Crescent,
Ballyhalbert,
Co. Down, BT22 1BF

Information may also be obtained by e-mailing the Trust at: countydownrailway@yahoo.co.uk