Downpatrick & County Down Railway

The railway was founded in 1985 with the intention of rebuilding the entire former Belfast and County Down Railway branch line to Ardglass. However, it soon became apparent that this was an unrealistic goal and instead the railway was or is being rebuilt to Inch Abbey and Ballydugan - both of which are on the former BCDR Belfast to Newcastle main line. The Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway is a not-for-profit society as well as a registered charity and museum. They currently have a membership of just under 200 people from all over the world. Major restoration jobs usually required large expenditure and they try to source grant aid for these. They are staffed entirely by volunteers, the railway has been painstakingly rebuilt from nothing by people giving up their Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays or even Thursday evenings! Unlike many other Northern Ireland attractions, members of the public can - and are positively encouraged to shape the future direction of the railway.