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 […]
Railway Launches Ambitious Track Renewal Project
For many people the New Year heralds a chance to be ‘out with the old but for the volunteers at Downpatrick and County Down Railway time their spring clean is a different proposition. They have decided to replace a large section of the track. After nearly 3,000 people travelled on Santa’s Lapland Express, the heritage […]
Hope for the Ballydugan Extension?
The DCDR’s long held ambition to complete its extension to Ballydugan could finally have received some welcome news. Down District Council is considering vesting land so that the heritage railway line can be extended, linking the town with the hamlet of Ballydugan. The extension of the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway (DCDR) has been in […]
Steaming Again After 50 Years!
It’s not everyday that Traffic reports tell drivers to watch out for the railway engine travelling down the M1 and M2 motorways, but that’s the sight that motorists saw last Sunday as a steam locomotive “travelled home” to the Downpatrick & County Down Railway, Northern Ireland’s volunteer run full-size heritage railway. Steam locomotive No. 1, […]
Railway lifts honours at Pride of Place Awards
The Downpatrick and County Down Railway is celebrating after collecting a very prestigous trophy last weekend. It was praised for its community involvement and work in towards creating a tourism attraction unique in Ireland. On Saturday 3 November, representatives from the DCDR and Down District Council traveled to Limerick to attend the 2012 AllIsland IPB […]
DRD Minister Hosts EU Transport Chair at DCDR
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has hosted Brian Simpson, Chair of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, on a visit to Northern Ireland – and took him on a trip on Northern Ireland’s only full-size heritage line! Brian Simpson is also the Vice President of the Heritage Railway Association. Danny Kennedy said: “European Transport policy needs to […]
Obituary – Michael Collins
It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Michael Collins, who served as our Chairman for the best part of the last decade. He was a true gentleman, whose friendship and contribution to the railway will never be forgotten. Mike was taken ill on Monday and despite emergency heart surgery, […]
Obituary – Desmond Coakham
We regret to have to announce as well the death of Desmond Coakham, aged 91, who passed away today, Thursday 4th October. Desmond was a well-known authority on the old Belfast & County Down Railway, completing his life’s ambition of a comprehensive history of the BCDR last year, amongst his other photographic books, but always […]