Planning a Steamy May?
There’s another chance to catch the steam train at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway on this year’s May Days on Monday 5 May and 26 May.
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Harvey the steam engine pulls out of Inch Abbey railway station. Enjoy a trip on a train from Downpatrick.[/caption]
After the highly successful ‘Easter Eggspress’ train trips, railway chairman John Wilson said the May Day bank holiday is the perfect chance to take another trip to Inch Abbey or to see the delights of a real steam train for anyone who did not get the chance at Easter.
John added: “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.
“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 state-of-the-art ‘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.
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A work of art ready to roll. Cyril Leathers from Ardglass, a veteran of Downpatrick and County Down Railway, with No 1 which he hand painted. Visit the railway museum to see old engines and carriages.[/caption]
A work of art ready to roll. Cyril Leathers from Ardglass, a veteran of Downpatrick and County Down Railway, with No 1 which he hand painted. Visit the railway museum to see old engines and carriages.
“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?
“And 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, £4.50 children and senior citizens, whilst children aged below three years old go free! A family ticket is £18.
Parking is available at both Inch Abbey and Downpatrick Stations, there’s no need to book and for further information on events – or if you are thinking about joining as a volunteer worker or helper, contact the Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre on 028 4461 2233 log on to the railway’s website at:
Or find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/downrail
or follow on twitter@downrail
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