May 2026 sees a huge leap forward for signalling and train control at our heritage railway – the commissioning of our first ever set of points controlled by a signal cabin.
Downpatrick East Cabin was originally Bundoran East Cabin from the GNR Enniskillen-Derry line. It has seen extensive refurbishment to the lever frame over the past year. Work carried out included returning the interlocking to full use after a long hiatus in the project.
Our small team have been busying themselves installing the point rodding runs for the headshunt and loco yard turnouts. The first of these now connected to the lever frame. The second is not too far behind. The first signals in this part of the railway will hopefully be commissioned over the summer.
In the meantime, it’s flags and lamps, with traincrews all now trained in the use of the cabin and new operating instructions in place.
Our chief civil engineer and resident signalling expert, David Crone, puts the frame through its paces on Saturday. Full credit to David, Robin, John and Jim for all their hard work on this to date.
The sound of levers banging in and out of the lever frame at the end of the platform is so nostalgic!