O’Dowd experiences railway heritage on a visit to Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd had the opportunity to experience the rich railway heritage from across the island of Ireland during a visit to Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR) which was formed in 1985 and commenced its first public operations in 1987.
The DCDR is a private charitable heritage railway organisation which operates steam and diesel train services on three miles of track outside Downpatrick. It is part of the former Belfast & County Down Railway route, which closed to passenger traffic in 1950.
The railway features a variety of historic Irish rolling stock, including steam and diesel locomotives, vintage carriages, and goods wagons, many of which have been restored by volunteers.
The railway’s station buildings and signal cabin are also significant historical structures, with many buildings relocated stone-by-stone from across other railway sites Northern Ireland.
However, the DCDR experienced significant loss during the flooding has been closed since Halloween 2023 but is hopeful of resuming operations within the current year.
The DfI has a licensing role in respect of heritage rail and an oversight of safety matters and other associated regulations.
DfI Minister O’Dowd said: “The Downpatrick and County Down Railway brings to life the rich rail heritage of the area and indeed across the island.
“The enthusiasm, passion and pride for rail travel past and present was in abundance.
“It was inspiring to see and hear how the volunteers and the local community responded to the Autumn flooding events and to hear of the preparations that are being made to become operational again.
“A feasibility study looking to identify viable flood risk management and engineering solutions will include the railway facility.
“My Department as the Rail Safety Authority is working with Downpatrick and County Down Railway to ensure safety compliance for the re-opening of the facility. “
Railway chairman, Robert Gardiner, said: “The volunteers at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway were pleased to welcome the Minister for Infrastructure, John O’Dowd, to the town and our historic railway for the first time since the flood to see for himself the impact of the recent floods in Downpatrick and our recovery efforts.
“We greatly appreciated that Minister O’Dowd expressed his concern and support for our efforts to restore the railway and get it open as soon as possible.
“He acknowledged the significant cultural and economic value that the Downpatrick & County Down Railway brings to the area and the role of heritage railways in promoting tourism and the local economy, as well as providing a training base for the growing rail sector here in Northern Ireland.”
Mr Gardiner added: “We are pleased that Minister O’Dowd was receptive to our concerns and was open to exploring avenues for support and collaboration between the DfI and the DCDR, strengthening the relationship between the heritage railway and our regulator.
“We look forward to working closely with the Department for Infrastructure to ensure that our railway remains a treasured part of Downpatrick’s history and a vibrant attraction for visitors.”
Railway safety is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, with the Rail Safety Authority having jurisdiction over both mainline and heritage railways. The Office of Road and Rail (ORR) has a consultative role in Northern Ireland.
The railway is a popular filming location and has appeared in several television shows and films, including Derry Girls, Lost City of Z, and many others and it plays a key role in the local community, providing educational opportunities for schools and groups, and serving as a unique venue for local events.
Also in attendance during the visit were Noel Darragh, Rail Safety Authority; Jackie Robinson, Director of Public Transport Policy; and James Kelly, Head of Operations, Rivers Directorate; as well as Donna Thompson from the Minister’s Office.
