The current idea of an undersea link between Scotland and Ireland is far from new thinking. In 1890 Luke Livingston Macassey (pictured) a well-regarded Irish engineer, produced plans for four options which never materialised.
Subsequently he played a leading role in improving public health through schemes for the reliable supply of water to Belfast, in particular designing a pipeline system opened in 1905 to bring the pure water of the Mountains of Mourne to Ulster’s capital.
Frank Paterson
Frank joined the railways straight from school as a junior clerk and ended up in charge of a third of them. He ran the network stretching over 18 counties from the Thames to the Tweed from the former HQ of British Railways York building, pictured below. The two most significant accomplishments during Frank's time in charge were the introduction of the high speed train, the 125 and the electrification of the East Coast main line, approved in 1984.
Frank is the President of Friends of the National Railway Museum.
