Take a virtual visit of Downpatrick & County Down Railway
Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains to Inch Abbey and King Magnus' Grave, on Ireland's only full-sized heritage railway.
Built on the trackbed of part of the Belfast and County Down Railway, which ran to Newcastle, the old line was closed and abandoned nearly 60 years ago, the volunteer enthusiasts have laid more than two miles of track to create Ireland’s only full-sized heritage railway.
Steam locomotives from the 1920s and 30s, or diesels from the 60s, convey their passengers in 50 to 100 year old carriages past rebuilt railway buildings and into the County Down countryside to the terminus at Inch Abbey, crossing the River Quoile on its way to the peaceful remains of the 12th Century monastery. So why not take along a picnic to the Abbey on a warm day?
Photographic display and model railway in station house.
Other special events at St. Patrick's Day, Easter, May Day, Halloween & Christmas.
Wheelchair access.
Euro accepted.
**Upcoming events for 2009/10**
May Day Specials: Monday 4th & 25th May
A chance to escape the hubbub of work this Bank Holiday
Summer Trains: Every weekend from June till September (Dates TBC)
Enjoy a nostalgic trip into the past these summer months every Saturday and Sunday (includes August Bank Holiday)
ALSO during the summer:
VIKING INVASION
Living History interpretors set up camp at King Magnus's Grave explaining the Viking Heritage of the area
ENGINES AT WAR
World War 2 Re-enactment weekend
Hallowe'en Ghost Trains
Meet Merlin the Magician on board his haunted Ghost Train! Children receive a present, if they can get past the Ghosts...
Santa Specials
Meet Santa Claus on board his steam train - travel with him singing Christmas songs on the train and then have a one-to-one meeting with him to tell him what you want for Christmas. Children's entry dependent on being good throughout the year.
Mince Pie Specials:1st January 2010:
With the holidays over are the kids getting bored before going back to school
Then why not blow away those post-Santa cobwebs with a glass of Sherry and a mince pie while travelling through the Co. Down countryside on a vintage train?
