A former GNRI driver and past pupil of Newtownbutler Primary School, Norman Brown recently returned home to share his railway experiences. 

Norman, aged 89, who currently lives in Newtownards and Selwyn Johnston from Headhunters Railway Museum were invited by three local primary schools in the Newtownbutler area involved in a Shared Education Signature Project focusing on the Great Northern Railway and its importance to the Newtownbutler community until its closure on September 30, 1957. 

The three schools in partnership include Newtownbutler Primary School, St. Mary’s Primary School and St. Joseph’s Primary School, Donagh.

Victoria Wilson, Principal of Newtownbutler Primary School, said: “We were looking for a cross community local study/living history based project to focus on and I suppose with the anniversary of the railways looming, we thought that it would be a great opportunity for the children to learn about the history of Newtownbutler railway station which opened in 1858.”

Selwyn explained to the children that locals used the railway to travel to school, work and holidays as well as transporting livestock and a range of goods from fresh bread to the daily post and newspapers.

He recollected that the war years saw thousands of US soldiers arrive in Fermanagh and transported by rail to stations close to their bases. “Newtownbutler station was kept busy with US soldiers billeted at Crom Castle and as a border station had the notorious Customs check,” added Selwyn. 

Norman outlined to the children that he attended the old Newtownbutler Primary School, which only had three classrooms. He left school at 14 and at 18 commenced work with the Great Northern Railway as an engine cleaner in Enniskillen, the most junior role involving cleaning the dirty wheels and motion of the engine. 

After successfully taking various exams and a medical, Norman progressed to fireman and eventually driver. Norman recalled driving the Bundoran Express which travelled from Dublin to Bundoran and non-stop through Fermanagh to avoid customs checks.

Thousands of passengers made the pilgrimage to Lough Derg, disembarking at Pettigo and travelling the remainder of the journey by motor bus.

On many occasions he cycled from Newtownbutler to Enniskillen to start his shift on the railway. When the railways closed in Fermanagh on September 30, 1957, Norman reluctantly transferred to Londonderry and later Belfast.

Enjoying his time on the railway he reflected on the many friends he made during his career with the Great Northern. 

The children took the opportunity to ask Norman lots of questions about driving steam trains, his work on the railway and attending school in Newtownbutler. 

Norman continued his trip down memory line, by visiting Headhunters Barbershop and Railway Museum where he met Nigel and Gordon Johnston both of whom also lived in Newtownbutler as children.

Norman demonstrated to museum visitors that in his 90th year he had still not lost his touch using a fireman’s shovel and curled it round as if firing coal into the engine firebox.

Before leaving, Norman received a VIP tour of the museum and haircut by Nigel in the ‘Newtownbutler’ barber’s chair. In fact, Norman disclosed it was the first time he had a haircut in Enniskillen for 60 years!

Nigel said it was an honour to have Norman visit the museum in this special year in which the 60th anniversary of the railways are being commemorated. 

Meanwhile, on Monday of last week, the three schools visited Headhunters Barbershop and Railway Museum and Enniskillen Castle Museum.