SNIPPET: Burley clouds of steam billow and an old whistle screams, a train veers from the Irish Sea through the Vale of Avoca, spooking a heron outside Enniscorthy, a pheasant near Gorey. Day trip passengers enjoy the camaraderie, the soft pace and sentiment of a journey back in time made possible by individuals whose enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to train preservation (with the support of Iarnrod Eireann) has been a labour of love. The Jan-Feb 2004 issue of Dublin's "Ireland Of The Welcomes" magazine features a photo-story about the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland whose aging members hope to inspire more young people to join them in carrying out their important goals. Built between 1834 and the early 20th century, Ireland's railway system remained almost entirely steam operated up to the late 1940s, but the following decade wrought huge changes. CIE was nationalised in 1950, unprofitable lines were closed or reduced to freight-only status and, in the face of increasing competition from roads, diesel was embraced as the way forward. By the time the RPSI was formed in 1964, steam traction in the Republic was as good as gone. Members have worked hard to maintain the only collection of mainline steam locomotives and the largest collection of vintage coaches in Ireland, even going so far as to install an 1897 overhead crane and full smithy at Whitehead, Co. Antrim. No 4 was rescued from Northern Ireland Railways in 1971, and following the most extensive refurbishment in the society's history, today turns heads wherever she goes. Steam trains have served as a backdrop to formative historical events, from the 1916 Rising to World War II. And like many of the RPSI volunteers on board today, be they shovelling coal or buttering bread, they are ultra-conscious of the society's role in preserving these important pieces of Irish heritage. Locomotives and vintage carriages are offered to film and TV companies, facilitating the portrayal of railway scenes set between the 1880s and the 1960s. its rolling stock has played cameo roles in films such as 'Michael Collins,' 'The Dead,' and 'Angela's Ashes.' Day trips are very popular events among railway enthusiastics and nostalgia seekers, and there is a great spirit of anticipation amongst the passengers. Armed with cameras, sunglasses, newspapers tucked underarm, travel sweets and neck scarves, they eagerly await the familiar call - "on board." . Per RPSI Chairman, Norman FOSTER -- "Steam is live," Dashing past a carpet of bluebells and fern, headed for the viaduct at Rathdrum, he sees No. 4 as a "living, breathing machine" with its own particular personality. For some it is reminiscent of an era when travel was an event and end in itself. For others it is about grandparents who drove the engines, days spent growing up near the railway works at Dundalk or Inchicore. For still others, it is the old-style elegance or the therapeutic swaying and sounds of clicking over tracks. Maureen MAGUIRE and her husband Kevin travelled by steam as children and are today passing the hours knitting and reading and lluxuriating in the feeling of NOT having to rush around. They also have an especially good view of the landscape, can visit with others and participate in singsongs and enjoy their favorite refreshments. Railway enthusiastics often say they have an interest in trains going back to the their toy train sets as children, and they certainly enjoy the delight on the faces of children as they experience old-fashioned train travel with their parents or on "Santa excursions."