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.

And 1960s-vintage CIÉ Palvan No.26405. Of the 499 built, it is believed to be only surviving example with running gear.

Our "haul"* includes two 1970s CIÉ container flats, Nos.27350 and 27427.

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.

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...

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...

With loco E428 and two of the carriages sporting the striking Westrail livery, we’re sure that a noisy red freight loco pulling a passenger train turned a few heads across the Connacht countryside. Photos: Westrail Archive/Barry Carse

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.

Little 90 is currently under overhaul in our workshop. Fancy getting involved with the restoration of Ireland's oldest operable loco? Drop us a message today. Photos from the collection of the late Mike Collins.

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.

Our station really is blooming up for summer.

This summer, join us on board The Jurassic Express. But hurry, places are already being snapped up fast. The event takes place Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July. www.downrail.co.uk/event/jurass...

There’s a good bit of work to complete before the steam locos are back inside, but we’re getting there. Thanks to all our supporters and funders, especially Newry, Mourne and Down District Council , for getting us this far!

In between cleaning we’ve had to make way for locos to come in for pit access and even the ballast regulator squeezing in to enable essential maintenance to take place that just wouldn’t be possible out in the yard.

There’s still plenty of manual scraping, shovelling and sweeping up as well. Kitted out in the appropriate PPE, our team has been gradually working through the shed cleaning the floors and pits, and we’re just about 75% finished, before attention turns to painting the walls.

This is a pretty major task, as it hasn’t seen a serious clean for years, and was still suffered from the after effects of the floods in 2023 and years of use to maintain steam and diesel locos.

With structural work completed on the Maghera Shed (our main loco maintenance shed), we’ve been able to make progress cleaning the shed before it is returned to regular use.

May 2026 saw the commissioning of our first ever set of points controlled by a signal cabin. Our chief civil engineer David Crone put the frame through its paces. Full credit to David, Robin, John and Jim for all their hard work on this to date.

The pair were invited to the Royal Garden Party, hosted by William the Prince of Wales, in recognition of the DCDR being awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Not bad going for our wee railway from Downpatrick.

It was a right royal appointment this week for Chairman Robert Gardiner and Company Secretary John Noble, who swapped overalls and oily rags for suits and sandwiches while enjoying a spot of royal hobnobbing at Buckingham Palace.

#FlashBackFriday to May 2006, where we see O&K No.3 in action on a private charter for a church group.