150 Years Celebrated in Slieve Donard

Smart suits and fancy frocks, not a phrase you often associate with the volunteers of the Downpatrick & County Down Railway, who are more often to be found covered in various shades of grease, smoke and dirt underneath carriages or engines… But last Friday the volunteers let down their hair and dolled up in the […]

150th Anniversary sees “Gala Opening” Ceremony

Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the Belfast & Co. Down Railway extending their line to Downpatrick. To mark this significant anniversary the DCDR, successor to the old BCDR, re-staged a “Gala” official opening ceremony yesterday, Sunday 22nd March. Living History interpreters Cameron and Hilary Robinson step into the shoes of Mr. and Mrs. William […]

150th Anniversary Celebrations Launched

March 2009 is a very special date for railway enthusiasts throughout the county as it marks the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the railway line from Belfast to Downpatrick, and the 140th of its opening to Newcastle. At 8 o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, 23rd March, 1859, the first train bound for the […]

Standing Room only on the Buses

The DCDR is grateful to Ulsterbus for allowing us to acquire enough seating to (eventually) fit out our Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railcar. The SLNCR vehicle, built in 1947, was fitted with seating that could hold three people on one side of the vehicle, and two on the opposing side (3+2 seating). However, during […]