There’ll be ‘eggs-travagant’ fun at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway with eggs galore on this year’s ‘Easter Eggspress’, running over the Easter weekend.
[caption id="attachment_48826" align="alignright" width="284"]
The Easter Bunny is coming to Downpatrick.[/caption]
The bunnies are already hopping the rails at the local heritage railway, and the ‘Easter-Eggspress’ is a unique and special treat for kids and a great way to say “Happy Easter!” for all the family.The train will be used for excursions from the town centre from 2pm till 5pm on Saturday 19 April, Easter Sunday (20 April) and Easter Monday (21 April).
Railway Chairman John Wilson, said: “Young passengers receive a special treat from a special guest who has bounced into the station for this weekend.  Children will be greeted by the Easter Bunny who’ll be hopping with joy to give them their Easter Eggs. And if you bring your camera you might get your child to catch a photograph of this elusive bunny!
The Easter Bunny is coming to Downpatrick.[/caption]
The bunnies are already hopping the rails at the local heritage railway, and the ‘Easter-Eggspress’ is a unique and special treat for kids and a great way to say “Happy Easter!” for all the family.The train will be used for excursions from the town centre from 2pm till 5pm on Saturday 19 April, Easter Sunday (20 April) and Easter Monday (21 April).
Railway Chairman John Wilson, said: “Young passengers receive a special treat from a special guest who has bounced into the station for this weekend.  Children will be greeted by the Easter Bunny who’ll be hopping with joy to give them their Easter Eggs. And if you bring your camera you might get your child to catch a photograph of this elusive bunny!
“As well as fun for the children, mums and dads also get the chance to experience rail travel at its most traditional, as passengers will be able to taste the elegance of by-gone railway travel on fifty to one hundred year old carriages through the picturesque County Down countryside along nearly two miles of restored track.
[caption id="attachment_48827" align="alignleft" width="370"]
George Legge receives his chocolate egg from the Easter Bunny.[/caption]
“Warm teas and coffees, as well as lots of buns, at highly competitive rates, will be served all day onboard a buffet carriage parked at Inch Abbey station; if travelling in to the town from Inch Abbey the return journey can be made on any of the services. A trip to the station museum and the new “Carriage Gallery” visitor centre brings the golden age of the railway vividly to life and looks at the impact that the railways had on people’s lives, through artefacts from the smallest such as a ticket in the upstairs exhibition, or the largest such as lovingly restored railway carriages in the Carriage Gallery and the stark contrast of the wrecks these vehicles once were when rescued.”
George Legge receives his chocolate egg from the Easter Bunny.[/caption]
“Warm teas and coffees, as well as lots of buns, at highly competitive rates, will be served all day onboard a buffet carriage parked at Inch Abbey station; if travelling in to the town from Inch Abbey the return journey can be made on any of the services. A trip to the station museum and the new “Carriage Gallery” visitor centre brings the golden age of the railway vividly to life and looks at the impact that the railways had on people’s lives, through artefacts from the smallest such as a ticket in the upstairs exhibition, or the largest such as lovingly restored railway carriages in the Carriage Gallery and the stark contrast of the wrecks these vehicles once were when rescued.”
***
For the younger train fans, children can enjoy their own ‘Kids’ Station’ in the Gallery, and dress up as a train driver or guard, or can get to drive Thomas the Tank Engine on a model railway – or will they let the “big kids” get a go too?”For those a little more adventurous, and perhaps live out a childhood dream, you can buy a “Footplate Pass” for just £20 and get to travel up in the locomotive cab with the driver, or why not pre-book these in advance for someone special’s birthday treat? Tickets cost £5.50 adults, £5.50 children (including egg), £4 children aged below three years old (including egg), and £4.50 senior citizens.There’s no need to book and for further information on events – or if you are thinking about joining as a volunteer contact the Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre on 028 4461 2233 orÂ
log on to the railway’s website at
or find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/downrail
or follow on twitter @downrail
]]>
