Downpatrick & County Down Railway
@downrail.bsky.social
Ireland's only standard gauge heritage railway, north or south, running through Saint Patrick's Country.
DIESEL GALA SOLD OUT Our diesel gala on Saturday 29th Aug is sold out – please do not travel to the railway if you have not booked. If you missed out, there will be another opportunity to travel behind loco 124 during our European Heritage Open Weekend, 12/13th Sep www.downrail.co.uk/event/ehodni/
Our summer heritage trains are running again tomorrow, Saturday 15th August. It's to be dry, and we can hope for sun, so enjoy the County Down countryside, take a walk to Inch Abbey, and visit our carriage gallery, museum, signal cabin and gift shop. Trains dept Downpatrick every 45 min 13:00-14:00
We undertook a spot of ballasting during the week...
We had two very distinguished visitors today, with gorgeous pointers Ruby and Nessa taking a trip out to Inch Abbey with their humans. Ruby and Nessa's story is quite a remarkable one - both were found homeless in Turkey, before being adopted and brought to NI. We're a very doggie friendly venue!
2026 Lapland Express trains now open for bookings. www.downrail.co.uk/event/santa/ #santatrain #laplandexpress
Lapland Express - Downpatrick and County Down Railway Santa Train
Climb aboard the Lapland Express for a fun Christmas experience on Downpatrick's very own Santa train with Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves.
downrail.co.uk
Anyone travelling on our summer trains last Saturday will have seen strange things afoot on the South Line, while our locos team carried out some shunting and testing with some of our 80 class vehicles.
Another busy Saturday for Thumper 458.
If you've visited our railway recently you may have noticed a bit more of a "traditional mainline" feel about our track. Can't put your finger on what it is?
View the County Down countryside from a different angle this Saturday. Heritage trains depart from our Downpatrick station at: 13:00, 13:45, 14:30, 15:15, 16:00.
TRAINS RUNNING TODAY Our railway is running as normal today, with trains departing every 45 minutes from 13:00 to 16:00. Car parking in the usual spot outside the station is unavailable today as it is being used for the Carryduff Forklift Rallye Lecale 2026.
In recent weeks we have taken delivery of no less than three classic Irish freight wagons. They're a bit rough-looking at the moment but we have big plans for them.
124 waits patiently in the sun as Thumper 458 returns on another trip from Inch Abbey.
Happy drivers, as always, on our railway.
First train of the day at Inch yesterday.
Fancy a picnic this Saturday? Take our train to Inch Abbey and enjoy our local scenery at its best. Departs Downpatrick at 13:00, 13:45, 14:30, 15:15, and 16:00. No advance booking required.
Our station entrance at its very best in this glorious weather.
www.downrail.co.uk/2026/07/dino...
Jurassic Express weekend 2026—something to roar about - Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Our Jurassic Express weekend had dinosaur eggs on the train out, a fantastic interactive dinosaur show in the leafy jungle at Inch Abbey, and baby dinosaurs joining us for each return trip.
downrail.co.uk
That's it for our Jurassic Express this weekend. A huge thank you to everyone who came to travel on our trains. We hope all fingers and limbs have been accounted for!
If you're a member you should now find a copy of the latest newsletter in your inbox, there's some quite big news in this one! If you're not a member, you can sign up here and we'll send you a copy (and even some back issues. www.downrail.co.uk/join/
Only a few days left until The Jurassic Express weekend begins. Some trains are already sold out, but we do have availability on the last train on Saturday and most of the Sunday trains. Hurry though, those places are at risk of extinction too. www.downrail.co.uk/event/jurass...
www.downrail.co.uk/2026/06/gswr...
GSWR 90: restoration update June 2026 - Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Over the past several months, our volunteers have been working hard on preparing GSWR tank engine No. 90 for its 10-year boiler overhaul. This involves dismantling the loco prior to sending the boiler...
downrail.co.uk
Just over a week to go until The Jurassic Express weekend, 4th/5th. Some tickets remain available but we recommend booking sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. www.downrail.co.uk/event/jurass...
40 years ago today, on the 22nd of June 1986, the West of Ireland Railway Preservation Society (“Westrail”) operated its first mainline railtour. This was the first time a preserved diesel loco hauled a mainline passenger train anywhere in the UK or Ireland.
It's Friday so let's do a flashback. These pictures date from 2007, when our little GSWR tank engine, No.90, was busy hauling trains along our south line. Immediately behind the loco is original GSWR carriage No.836, making for a real vintage train look.
Only a few weekends left until The Jurassic Express visits Downpatrick on 4th and 5th July. Places continue to fill up so advise booking now to avoid disappointment, we're unlikely to have tickets available on the day. www.downrail.com
Psst... we've added some new badges that we think you might like. downrail.myshopify.com Proceeds to our carriage projects.
You never who might come to visit our railway. www.downrail.co.uk/2026/06/rail...
Hop to it - Downpatrick and County Down Railway
There was a very small and friendly trespasser happily living in a drain in the Maghera Shed. That is, until one of our railway's volunteers decided it was time to try to clean the drain out. They jum...
downrail.co.uk
Currently under overhaul, when complete No.90 will be the oldest operating loco anywhere in Ireland. The little engine dates from 1875. www.downrail.co.uk/rollingstock...
GSWR No. 90 - Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Our GSWR No.90 tank engine is Ireland's oldest steam train still capable of operation, and is a being restored at our museum.
downrail.co.uk
