Can You Help Find This Stolen BCDR Clock?
A new appeal has been launched to find an original booking office clock stolen from the railway museum in the 1990s. When reported to the police there were no photographs of it to circulate before, however old camcorder footage at the end of a tape has now emerged of the clock and a new appeal […]
Your railway needs YOU!
Made any New Years Resolutions for 2016? How about a resolution to pick up a new hobby? The Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway is maintained and operated entirely by volunteers and we’re always on the look-out for more help. You don’t even need to be a real ‘rail-buff’ either, but if you’ve a passion for […]
Classic Carriage is Welcomed Back on Track at Heritage Railway
St. Patrick’s Day not only saw the return of Ireland’s patron saint to the town, but also saw a welcome return of a classic carriage back into service at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway. A team of 10 volunteers of all ages have taken nearly two years and 10,000 hours of work to restore […]
Bright Future for Signal Box Found in Orchard
An historic railway signal cabin that lay in an orchard for nearly 60 years is to be restored to its former glory by the Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR) after securing a grant of nearly £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant has been awarded as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s new […]
DCDR Founder Named in New Years Honours
The founder of Northern Ireland’s only full-size heritage railway, the Downpatrick & County Down Railway, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours for service to railway preservation and tourism in County Down. Gerry Cochrane was born in 1935 within sight and sound of the old Belfast & County Down Railway. Since […]
Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway Pays Tribute to McGrady
The Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway has expressed its “deep sadness” on learning of the passing of Eddie McGrady on Monday evening. As a prominent figure in the area, it was Eddie McGrady that the railway’s founder, Gerry Cochrane turned to for advice and support in regards the idea of establishing a heritage railway in […]
Rare Belfast & County Down Railway Wagon “Comes Home”
A rare link back to the days when farmers loaded their produce at the local railway station to be sent to Belfast and beyond has been saved by the Downpatrick & County Down Railway. A century-old wooden railway wagon built in 1911 for the old Belfast & County Down Railway, which is thought to be […]
The End of the Line for Killyleagh Castle
Killyleagh Castle is gone – no more – as it was dismantled last Wednesday in a surprisingly fast operation, leaving no trace of this once-proud remnant of history. But before questioning if this is April Fool’s day, fear not, for the turrets and ramparts of the actual Killyleagh Castle still stand. The “Killyleagh Castle” which […]
New Landmark for Downpatrick Town Centre
A new landmark feature for Downpatrick town centre is rising above lower Market Street at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway. An impressive lattice arch, bearing the railway’s name is soaring above the car park, and accompanying brickwork promising to dramatically improve the appearance of this part of the town centre. Railway chairman and Project […]
Railway On the Right Track for St. Patrick’s Day
The Downpatrick & County Down Railway is on the right lines to complete its massive track renewal project in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The local volunteer-run heritage railway has been undertaking a major project that has seen several hundred yards of railway line lifted between Downpatrick station and the “Home Junction”, where the two […]