Desmond Coakham (right) and Andy Crockart (left) inspect a copy of the book in the foyer during the Book Launch
The launch of Desmond Coakham’s book, “The Belfast & County Down Railway”, was covered in today’s edition of BBC Radio Ulster’s drive-time news programme, Evening Extra.
The event to place on the 61st Anniversary of the closure of the BCDR, and saw the veteran author and expert on the Belfast & County Down Railway made an Hononary Life Member of the Downpatrick & County Down Railway Society for his help to the DCDR and for keeping the memory of the BCDR alive in the public consciousness.
Desmond Coakham was accompanied by those who had helped him get the book to print, namely Andy Crockhart and Dennis Young – who spurred him on to finish the book when it was just a few chapters written many years ago.
A good number of books were bought and signed, to the delight of the author, on what was a damp and soggy day, before the speeches from Michael Collins, DCDR Chairman, Eamonn O’Neill, Down District Council Chairman, and finally Desmond himself.
The train then took everyone to the Loop Platform for refreshments.
You can listen to the BBC Evening Extra report here: