First trains cross the River Quoile
The first trains cross the River Quoile since 1950 with the completion of the bridge and trackwork beyond it. The railway has yet to get to Inch Abbey, so passengers for the first Magnus Barelegs Festival alight at a temporary platform beyond the bridge and travel by vintage bus to Inch Abbey.
Our first film contract
The railway gets its first proper filming contract, for railway scenes in the Spike Milligan film ‘Puckoon’.
O&K No. 3 returns to steam
Our ‘sugarpuff’ steam locomotive, O&K No. 3, returns to service after overhaul.
Road vs Rail book launch
Mike Collins’ first book ‘Rail vs Road’ is launched at Downpatrick.
A39 arrives
The Irish Traction Group’s A39, our largest diesel loco to date, arrives at Downpatrick.
Railmotor restoration starts
The BCDR Railmotor carriage, No. 72, moves into the workshop for a long restoration process to start.
Carriage 1097 arrives
Ex-GSWR carriage No. 1097 arrives at Downpatrick. The carriage is used in passenger service for the first time on Christmas trains a few weeks later.
Inch Abbey station opens
Our North Line to Inch Abbey, along with Inch Abbey Station itself, opens after a lengthy construction project.
Harvey arrives
Steam locomotive LP&HC, No. 3, is loaned to DCDR for six years of passenger service.
Station reopens
After extensive rebuilding work, the station is reopened following the fire.