New steam engine 'Irene' unveiled at Ellenroad Engine House

Date published: 06 August 2019

Ellenroad Engine House invited the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Billy and Lynn Sheerin, to officially unveil the museum’s new engine 'Irene' on Sunday 4 August.

The new engine was sat awaiting restoration in the museum car park for a number of years before a team of skilled volunteers undertook the careful restoration and installation, bringing the equipment back to life.

‘Irene’ was last used at Potclays in Hanley, who were manufacturers of clays and glazes for craft and industrial ceramics. The engine was removed from there around mid-1983 and had been disused for many years. Its type is a horizontal single cylinder constructed by The Railway & General Engineering Co, Nottingham.

The engine was officially named 'Irene' after Councillor Irene Davidson, Irene Pope and Irene Yates, all of whom have connections to Ellenroad.

Ellenroad Chairwoman, Zoe Attwood, said: "It was wonderful to see the hard work of the volunteers rewarded with a visit from the Mayor.

“Billy was genuinely interested in the work the volunteers have done and stayed most of the afternoon. Such was his enthusiasm for Ellenroad, we decided on the day to give him the privilege of starting our world-famous big engines - Victoria and Alexandra - an honour not given out often."

Mayor Sheerin said: “We arrived at the museum in Peter Riggs (of Gordon Riggs) 1930 Lagonda. It was beautiful, myself and my wife felt like the king and queen sat in the back.

“I was like a child in a toy shop when we arrived and I saw the engines. It really was my kind of scene; I was absolutely amazed. This was one of the most enjoyable things I have done as the mayor, as I am an engineer, so I enjoyed getting hands on and remembering my youth as an apprentice who worked with components that had to be steam tested.

“A terrific man called David Pope gave me a tour and was very knowledgeable. Engines were also on display from the Rochdale Society of Model Engineers.

“The number of hours the volunteers have put in to this engine deserves recognition, they have dedicated a great amount of time to the restoration and I thank all for inviting me to be a part of this special day for the reveal of Irene.”

The engine house is open on the first Sunday of every month, is run entirely by volunteers and depends on the visiting public to keep the museum open.