Dare you board the Phantom Flyer? All aboard for a spooky experience with ghosts, vampires and vampire-hunters and face painting for the kids, all on Ireland's only full size heritage railway.

There’s something strange a-coming at the railway this Halloween, an ill-wind is brewing, and it’s getting spookier by the day. As Halloween draws close, whispers of ghostly happenings and strange encounters are spreading through Downpatrick, just like a deathly cold breeze on a chilly night to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Since the vanquishing of Count Magnus twelve months ago, the railway has been as quiet as the grave. But all of that is about to change. The veil between worlds will be torn apart as ancient spirits set their sights on Downpatrick once again. Malevolent monsters, zombies, spooks and apparitions will walk the tracks and carriages.

We know just who to call – legendary ghost and vampire hunting expert Van Helsing, but he can’t do it alone.

That’s where you come in! Will you join us to take back our railway from these ghostly fiends? Hop on the Phantom Flyer, Northern Ireland’s favourite Halloween Scream Train, if you’re a brave spook hunter to help our brave guardian chase away this ancient mischief from our tracks. But be careful; the line between being a hero and becoming a zombie’s snack is very thin!

This Halloween, we invite kids, families and anyone who loves a ghoulish adventure to join us on the Phantom Flyer. Don your darkest Halloween outfits to fit in with your mysterious fellow passengers and together, we shall face the darkness that lurks in Downpatrick’s historic railway.

This event is suitable for all ages, but parental discretion is advised with particularly young or squeamish children. The performance takes place indoors and outdoors, so do dress for the weather. Fancy dress and costume wearing is encouraged!

Prices & tickets

Charges are detailed below. Additional charges apply for food and drinks in the buffet and gifts in the shop. Donations are also welcome.

Face painting with Kaz-a-Doodle is included in the price for kids!

• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children, or 1 adult + 3 children): £50
• Additional tickets (adults or kids): £13.50
• Infants (aged 0-12 months – not requiring a seat or face painting): FREE
• Carers: FREE (Please see our Carers Policy for more details)

This DCDR event is run in partnership with Avalard Productions Ltd. 

Times

This event is running on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October.

Phantom Flyer departures from Downpatrick are at: 14:00, 15:15, 16:30, 17:45  (additional train added!)

More details

If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, please use our Contact Us page if your question isn’t covered here.

• The Phantom Flyer will use the Downpatrick to Inch Abbey line
• Parts of the experience will be off-train, so please follow directions from our volunteers
• Dress up in costume, but dress for outdoors!
• We will be using the 450 class ‘Derry Girls’ diesel train like we did in 2023
• Visits will last at least an hour
• We strongly advise that you pre-book to make things easier on the day
• The event is fully accessible, please see our accessibility webpage for details
• Details of how to find our railway station can be found here – we’re only a 40 minute drive from Belfast!
• There are no toilet facilities on the train but we have toilets at Downpatrick station.
• The shop and museum will be open.
• We will be operating a small buffet on the train where you will be able to purchase soft drinks and confectionery. We would ask that you clean all rubbish away on exiting the train.