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The Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin's School of Engineering has been awarded the prestigious Heritage Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The award, presented by IMechE President Clive Hickman OBE, celebrates the department’s custodianship of the PYRACMON A 0-6-0 GWR Broad Gauge Goods Locomotive. The PYRACMON model, a cornerstone of 19th-century engineering education at Trinity, continues to inspire students as it stands proudly on display in the Parsons Building.
President Hickman underscored the significance of preserving engineering heritage, remarking,
“We stand on the shoulders of giants with the work that we do today, as we depend so heavily on the pioneering efforts of innovators like Parsons, Stephenson, and Sir Daniel Gooch. Their vision laid the foundations for modern engineering, and it is an honour to recognise Trinity’s role in preserving this vital legacy.”
The presentation ceremony, held in the Crossland Lecture Theatre of the Parsons Building, was attended by distinguished faculty, students, and guests. Professor Stephen Spence, Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Head of Discipline, expressed the department’s pride in receiving the accolade:
"We are delighted to be the recipient of this Heritage Award from the President of the IMechE and honoured to host the ceremony in the Parsons Building. This is a moment to reflect on the achievements of engineering pioneers and to demonstrate to our current students the importance of learning from the past as we innovate for the future."
The IMechE Heritage Award also serves as a tribute to the tireless efforts of Engineering Emeritus Professor Garry Lyons and Associate Professor Garret O'Donnell, and department colleagues who act as custodians for this important engineering historical record. 
This is the second IMechE Heritage Award received by the department, following the 1984 recognition for the Parsons Turbogenerator No. 5, gifted by Gerald Stoney. With this latest accolade, the Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering remains the only institution on the island of Ireland to hold such a distinguished honour.
The Parsons Building, home to the department, is a living testament to the history of engineering innovation. Its collection of historical artefacts, including the PYRACMON locomotive model, demonstrates the enduring principles of energy conversion that continue to shape the field today.
As Trinity College Dublin celebrates this remarkable achievement, the award highlights the department's dual commitment to honouring the past and inspiring the next generation of engineers to build a future grounded in innovation and tradition.