Downpatrick Railway Still Steaming Ahead

Railway Chairman Michael Collins, said “After this weekend the next time the steam train will be out will be for our Halloween Ghost Trains at the end of the October, so this will be the last opportunity people will have to travel on the steam train before it is infested with ghouls and ghosts at that spooky time of the year!” [caption id="attachment_13173" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="It is full steam ahead for a new visitors' project at Downpatrick railway station. Pictured is an impression of the interior of the proposed new gallery designed by David Briggs."][/caption] “As part of the European Heritage Open Days, you can come down to the see the new exhibition dedicated to the history of the railways in our area in our historic station building, plus a taster of our new Carriage Gallery before it’s fully open to the public. We are now at the stage of getting ready to fit the display units and TV screens to the new centre. It will be very visitor friendly and we expect an excellent number of visitors to come to the centre over the year which will initially be run by our own volunteers. “The Downpatrick and Co Down railway is one of the few main living history working museums in Ireland and we are delighted to still be receiving railway assets from far and wide to add to our growing collection.”

He added, “If you want a tour of the signal cabin, please ask a member of staff as you will need to be escorted beyond the platform and may have to wear a high visibility jacket for Health and Safety purposes. “Don’t forget that this is the last week that there will be a Living History Monk at our train’s destination at Inch Abbey, provided by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. He’ll be explaining life in a medieval monastery, how the monks lived, worked and prayed, and also about John deCourcy who founded the abbey.” Entrance to the new exhibition and the under-construction Gallery is free, and the steam train will be running from 2pm till 5pm at a charge, with tickets cost £5.50 adults, £4.50 children or senior citizens, and children aged three years old or below go free. There is no need to book and a ticket lasts all day.And to keep the children entertained the “Thomas the Tank Engine” model railway will be back as usual. [caption id="attachment_27631" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="The new visitor centre at the Downpatrick and Co Down railway is nearing completion."][/caption] ]]>