From railway buffs to casual visitors all ages looking for a day out, there’s another chance to catch the steam train at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway on this year’s May Day public holidays, Monday 7th May and 28th May.
Railway chairman Robert Gardiner says the May bank holidays are the perfect chance to take another trip to Inch Abbey or to see the delights of a real steam train for anyone who did not get the chance at Easter, or those who just couldn’t wait to come back!
“As well as fun for the children, mums and dads also get the chance to experience rail travel at its most traditional, as passengers will be able to taste the elegance of by-gone railway travel on 50-100 year old carriages through the picturesque County Down countryside along nearly two miles of restored track.
“Refreshments at highly competitive rates will be served all afternoon on board our buffet carriage parked at Inch Abbey station; you can start your journey at either end of our line, and return on any train you like.”
Mr. Gardiner says “A trip to the station museum and the ‘Carriage Gallery’ visitor centre brings the golden age of the railway vividly to life and looks at the impact that the railways had on people’s lives, through artefacts from the smallest such as a ticket in the upstairs exhibition, or the largest such as lovingly restored railway carriages in the Carriage Gallery and the stark contrast of the wrecks these vehicles once were when rescued.
“You can also visit our beautifully restored signal cabin at the end of the platform in Downpatrick, formerly from Bundoran Junction in County Fermanagh, and learn about the life of a signalman. The signal cabin is even wheelchair accessible too, as are the trains and Carriage Gallery.”
Children can enjoy their own “Kids’ Station” in the Carriage Gallery, where they can climb into a vintage locomotive cab and dress up as a train driver or guard, or can get to drive Thomas the Tank Engine on out model railway – or will they let the ‘big kids’ get a go too?”
For those a little more adventurous, and perhaps live out a childhood dream, you can buy a Footplate Pass for just £20 and get to travel up in the locomotive cab with the driver (you need to be 18+ to do this).
Tickets cost £7.00 for adults, £5 for children 4 and over, concession fares are £6. Children aged below four years old go free! A family ticket is £20 for two adults and up to three kids.
You can book your tickets at our online ticket office now or buy them when you arrive at our station.
Dogs are very welcome on our trains, provided they are kept under control. Free Parking is available at both Inch Abbey and Downpatrick Stations.
Last admissions are at 3:45pm. Trains depart from 1pm-4pm, the station is open until 5pm.
See our Timetable & Fares webpage for further information.