Trains return to the Loop Line
Saturday, June 26th, 2026, was a big date for our railway, with the Loop Line finally reconnected after an incredible ten years out of use. Following the completion of the work we described in last week’s post, the time had come to take some proper trains over the track. All was carefully observed by our […]
GSWR 90: restoration update June 2026
Over the past several months, our volunteers have been working hard on preparing GSWR tank engine No. 90 for its 10-year boiler overhaul. This involves dismantling the loco prior to sending the boiler to a contractor. We also need to inspect and carry out work on the frames, bearings, and valve gear. With the cladding, […]
Volunteers make great progress on Loop Line restoration
It’s been a busy few months for our dedicated track team, working out of sight out at the Loop Line. Great progress has been made towards reopening this side of the ‘triangle’ between the North Junction and the Loop Platform. This long-running project started in January 2017, after the final train crossed it in December […]
New ‘Thumper’ railcar badges launched
Some new designs have just arrived in our merchandise range. We felt that it’s about time that the classic Northern Ireland Railway’s “Thumper” diesel railcars were represented in badge form. It was a difficult decision—do we do the 1970s retro-liveried 80 class, or the (slightly) more modern 450 class design, of Derry Girls fame? Well, […]
Invitation to tender for Bridges renewal project
Downpatrick and County Down Railway Society Limited (DCDR) is inviting tenders for the provision of Project Management Services for its Bridge Maintenance & Restoration Project. You can read more and download the information pack here.
Hop to it
Ribbit… ribbit…trespasser alert! There was a very small and friendly trespasser happily living in a drain in the Maghera Shed. That is, until one of our railway’s volunteers decided it was time to try to clean the drain out. They jumped higher in the air than the frog did. Our Compliance director Chris, clad in […]
DCDR volunteers receive King’s Award
It’s Volunteers’ Week, and what better week to officially receive our King’s Award for Voluntary Service crystal and certificate? On Wednesday evening, a group of DCDR volunteers had the honour of attending Killyleagh Castle. Here, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton, presented us with the award. Joining the Lord-Lieutenant were Sandra Adair […]
Downpatrick double diesel treat for visiting tourists
On Saturday, we welcomed a group of German tourists, who had booked a special charter train for the day. In addition to the special charter trains, highlights included runpasts preserved former Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail GMs 124 and 146 working in multiple hauling our vintage set, and also our little German Deutz G-Class and the […]
All washed up
With structural work completed on the Maghera Shed (our main loco maintenance shed), we’ve been able to make progress cleaning the shed before it is returned to regular use. This is a pretty major task, as it hasn’t seen a serious clean for years. It was still suffering from the after-effects of the floods in […]
DCDR attends Royal Garden Party
It was a right royal appointment recently for Chairman Robert Gardiner and Company Secretary John Noble. The pair swapped overalls and oily rags for suits and sandwiches as they enjoyed the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. William, the Prince of Wales, hosted the party. DCDR attended in recognition of being awarded the King’s Award […]