Babcock Rail lends DCDR a helping hand
Leading railway systems contractor Babcock International Group (Babcock) has completed vital infrastructure works for the Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR). Founded in the 1980s, the DCDR is Ireland’s only full-size heritage railway, operating on part of the former Belfast & County Down railway line. Run almost entirely by volunteers, it preserves and operates vintage […]
DCDR celebrates 40 years with gala dinner
Last Saturday we marked our 40th birthday in true DCDR style at the stunning Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle – the former jewel in the crown of the old Belfast & County Down Railway. The Chandelier Room was packed with friends old and new, resounding to the incredible sounds of the Linley Hamilton Quartet, while our […]
DCDR partners with AEL’s Create Gifts project
Since winning a Social Enterprise of the Year last November, we’ve been thinking hard about how we can put that recognition into action, and one small way is using our spending power to support other social enterprises. So when it came to selecting new gifts to our souvenir shop, we decided to do just that. […]
DCDR celebrates 40 years with a vintage train day
Saturday 2nd August 2025 was a very special day at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway, for it marked 40 years since our heritage railway was incorporated on 2nd August 1985 (then under the name Downpatrick & Ardglass Railway). As a prelude to our gala dinner in the evening Slieve Donard hotel that evening, we […]
Second A Class locomotive arrives at Downpatrick
After over a year of planning, lifting, hauling, and hoping, locomotive A3R finally arrived in Downpatrick on Sunday 27th June – the last of the four Irish Traction Group (ITG) locos to make the move from Moyasta, Co Clare. Huge thanks to everyone who followed the journey, lent a hand, or just sent good wishes. […]
DCDR launches fundraising draw for its 40th anniversary year
The last few years have been tough on our voluntary-run heritage railway. As you may be aware, our railway had only began recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic when the devasating floods of 2023 hit us extremely hard. This resulted in a long journey of recovery for the railway and much hard work and funds are […]
DCDR attends the Castlewellan Show for the first time
We were at the Castlewellan Show today for the first time ever – although Jonathan and Robert were slightly baked inside the tent, it was brilliant to get out meeting people and telling them the railway was back up and running after the floods – the number of people who thought we were down and […]
Restoration update: GSWR Carriage 69
After almost a year of hard work, our volunteer Cyril has finished varnishing one of the passenger saloons of 1888-built GSWR six wheel carriage No.69. All of the walls have been smoothed, treated with several layers of varnish, and finally scumbled with a comb to give a rich woodgrain effect. In addition, the ceiling has […]
Jurassic Express weekend is a roaring success
The weekend of 5/6th July saw our new-look Jurassic Express returned for the first time since before the 2023 flooding, with hundreds of happy families flocking to experience the world of dinosaurs. This included everything from egg hatching to baby dinosaurs to getting up close and personal with baby dinosaurs and their scary giant parents! […]
DCDR to celebrate 40th Anniversary with a gala dinner
It’s our birthday – and we’re having a party – and you’re invited. Exactly one month from today, the Downpatrick & County Down Railway turns 40, and we think that deserves a proper celebration. Over the past forty years, our volunteers have transformed a derelict brownfield site into one of the area’s most popular tourist […]