With the whole railway submerged in deep water during late October and early November, now that the flood waters have subsided the damage to our locomotives, carriages, buildings and equipment is becoming apparent.
Please support us in our hour of need, so we can rebuild Ireland’s first mainline heritage railway.
Main photo: Joseph Drake
Donate by PayPal
Use your PayPal account or credit/debit card to donate securely
You do not need a PayPal account to donate using this link. You will be asked to fill in a Gift Aid declaration during the donation process.
Donate by Text Message
Text RAIL to 70450 to donate £10
Text RAIL20 to 70450 to donate £20
or any other amount, e.g. RAIL15 to donate £15.
Maximum donation by text is £20.
Texts cost the value of your donation plus one standard rate message. You will get an acknowledgement and be invited to fill in a Gift Aid declaration to increase the value of your donation. We will never contact you again after this by text.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please fill in the Gift Aid details when you are prompted. It only takes a minute and it increases the value of your donation by 25%, which also helps cover the PayPal fees and text message fees we have to pay.
Urgent appeal for donations
Dear valued supporters and friends,
We’re asking you to help us as we try to navigate the aftermath of a devastating flood that has profoundly impacted us at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway.
After being submerged under floodwaters for over seven days, the water has left our railway in a state of disarray, threatening our entire future.
The flood has resulted in substantial damage, necessitating urgent repairs to our locomotives, carriages, track, bridges, platforms, and buildings. The financial burden is substantial, with our insurance assessors estimating unavoidable costs exceeding a quarter of a million pounds.
It is a monumental task to just return the railway to the state it was only a few weeks ago, and back to safe and operational condition, ensuring our long-term viability and continued contribution to our community.
Whilst the government has offered some limited financial support, we have yet to see if we – as a charitable not-for-profit organisation – will even qualify, but it will be inadequate to the challenge ahead. Now, we turn to you, our community of supporters, to help us rebuild and restore the Downpatrick and County Down Railway back to its former glory if not better
Your donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact. It will contribute to repairing the damage, and ensuring that our beloved railway remains a source of pride for generations to come.
Please consider making a contribution to our flood repair fund. Your support will not only help us recover from the immediate impact of the flood but also enable us to continue offering a unique and enriching experience to visitors in the years ahead.
Donation information can be found below. We are immensely grateful for your consideration and support during this challenging time. Together, we can rebuild the Downpatrick and County Down Railway and preserve a piece of history for future generations.
Thank you for your support.
Robert Gardiner
DCDR Chairman
On behalf of all the volunteers at the railway
An aerial view of the flooding shortly after the water levels peaked.
Photo: Marty Galbraith
Water levels starting to recede in the station area.
The front of our station seen on CCTV at the height of the floods, with water lapping at the steps.
Flood water starting to drain inside the Carriage Gallery.
Donate by PayPal
Use your PayPal account or credit/debit card to donate securely
You do not need a PayPal account to donate using this link. You will be asked to fill in a Gift Aid declaration during the donation process.
Donate by Text Message
Text RAIL to 70450 to donate £10
Text RAIL20 to 70450 to donate £20
or any other amount, e.g. RAIL15 to donate £15.
Maximum donation by text is £20.
Texts cost the value of your donation plus one standard rate message. You will get an acknowledgement and be invited to fill in a Gift Aid declaration to increase the value of your donation. We will never contact you again after this by text.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please fill in the Gift Aid details when you are prompted. It only takes a minute and it increases the value of your donation by 25%, which also helps cover the PayPal fees and text message fees we have to pay.
We’d prefer it if you could donate online or by text message as it reduces admin work, but we can still accept donations by post.
Please make cheques payable to Downpatrick & County Down Railway Society and send them to the address below. Please include a covering letter including your name and address and include a Gift Aid Form if you are a UK taxpayer to increase the value of your donation.
Back on Track
Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Market Street
DOWNPATRICK
County Down
BT30 6LZ