Offaly second level student seeks help to complete locomotive restoration

By Daniel Scally

At the beginning of this school year, the Tullamore College Transition Year group was given the task of restoring a Wagonmaster locomotive that had previously been used for work on bogs by Bord na Móna. As well as this, we have undertaken the challenge of producing a factual book documenting the cultural significance of these artefacts in Irish history.

Bord na Móna is a semi-state company that was established in 1946 in an effort to achieve a secure, independent energy supply for Ireland. However, due to the demand for greener renewable energy sources in today’s world, Bord na Móna has now fully ceased the commercial exploitation of peatlands.

In completing this restoration project, we aim to highlight the deep link between Bord na Móna and our country’s past, as we move into a new era of sustainable energy harvesting. We seek to preserve the rich traditions of Irish heritage and ensure that the incredible work of so many individuals in rural communities will never be forgotten.

The first major milestone of the project was our success in getting our Wagonmaster’s engine running again. This was a very proud moment for all the team, and we would like to thank all of those who helped to make this happen.

In order to make further progress, and to continue the restoration, we need:

1. To borrow a four-wheel trailer to move the bonnet and cab of the Wagonmaster in and out of our shed as we work on it.

2. A sponsorship or donation of 3M stripping discs so that we can remove the rust and old paint from our Wagonmaster.

3. A sponsorship or donation of red oxide metal primer. This will be used as a protective base layer to prevent the corrosion and rusting of our Wagonmaster as it is exposed to the elements.

4. As well as these physical resources, we are searching for information. Bord na Móna built a prototype Wagonmaster, LM 176, in 1961 at their station in Derrygreenagh. Mr Willie Greene was the Chief Mechanical Engineer for this project. We are looking for any information or photos anyone may have in relation to Bord na Móna’s original prototype, Mr Willie Greene, or any of the workers who designed and constructed Wagonmaster LM 176.

We would greatly value and appreciate all information, funding or support provided to our project, in order to preserve the rich history of peat-harvesting in the Midlands. Please, do not hesitate to contact us at wagonmaster@tullamorecollege.ie with any details