Volunteers continue work on new siding at Downpatrick
Our volunteers have continued their efforts to construct our new siding, and the end is now in sight. The points themselves has now been completed and the focus is now on laying the track. The first step was to level the trackbed to ensure that the sleepers would sit flat. Following this, jacks were used […]
A sell-out Shamrock Express for St. Patrick’s Day 2025
St. Patrick’s Day, Monday 17th March, saw our 40th Anniversary year kick off in style with a fully booked-out Shamrock Express. Motive power was our 450 class diesel railcar (and Derry Girls star) No.458 “Antrim Castle”, as we await the return of steam. Passengers were treated to some wonderful performances from Owen’s Academy on the […]
DCDR plays host to ‘Coffee and Chrome’ vintage car rally
Our St. Patrick’s weekend festivities kicked off on Saturday 15th March. While some of our volunteers were busy in the background shunting the yard prior to Monday’s Shamrock Express operations, the front of the station was also a hive of activity as we played host to the Downpatrick Lions Club and their ‘Coffee and Chrome’ […]
Double win for Downpatrick at the HRA awards
[Title photo: © Jack Boskett Media Ltd.] It was a huge night for our volunteers at the Heritage Railway Association’s annual awards ceremony on the evening of Saturday 8th February. We were nominated in two categories, Team of the Year and Achievement of the Year, and we won both of them! Gathered with the […]
Volunteers lay first new track section in 10 years
This winter, our museum’s volunteers are laying our first entirely new section of railway track since 2015, as we’ve had nearly a decade of just minor adjustments and relays. Believe it or not, despite being there since 2012, the second track in our ‘new’ loco shed was never actually connected to the rest of our […]
DCDR carriage inspires Royal Caribbean cruise experience
This is one we’ve been sitting on as it had been kept tightly under wraps. As some readers may remember, last year we had some work done by MJM Marine who made things like wheel chocks and door posts for our 80 class power car. Well, there’s a story behind this which can now reveal. […]
Safety Lift (Ireland) Ltd. provides slinging refresher training to DCDR
A lot of track work (including heavy lifting) takes place during winter at our railway, when while our heritage diesel and steam trains are slumbering during the town time. Safety Lift (Ireland) Ltd kindly provided slinging refresher training on Saturday.
Lapland Express – Storm Darragh weather update
An update on train cancellations and new arrangements as Storm Darragh makes travel unsafe.
Lapland Express Quiet Train
We’re running a quiet train again this year for the Lapland Express.
Minister for Infrastructure visits the railway
Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, had the opportunity to experience the rich railway heritage from across the island of Ireland during a visit to Downpatrick and County Down Railway.