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...

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...

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...

Our station really is blooming up for summer.

Summer season trains are now open for booking at DCDR www.downrail.co.uk/event/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...

Limited places left www.irishtractiongroup.com/2026/downpat...

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.

Fan of our "Thumper" railcars? Then this might be your cup of tea. downrail.myshopify.com/products/nir...

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.

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.

An update on the restoration of our former CIÉ "tin van" 639A. www.downrail.co.uk/2026/04/rest...

Here's picture from George Walker of our beloved O&K 'Sugar Puff' No.3 in steam at Downpatrick back in 2010. The yard itself has seen quite a bit of change since then; the station track layout looks rather bare compared to that of today.

80 Class update - the final mile We may not have posted much in the way of 80 class updates lately, but activity on the set has been far from quiet. Recent weeks have seen the team tackle the last few bodywork "niggles" with a vengeance, with virtually all the filling work now completed.

Today marks an important date in the history of the Northern Ireland railway system, for it is 50th years since the former Belfast Central Railway line reopened on 12th April 1976.

Some photos from Day 2 of our 2026 Easter Expresses.

Day 1 of the Easter Eggspress complete.

Sunday's 12:00 train is now completely sold out. We still have capacity on the 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00 but these too are selling fast. Monday is completely sold out. www.downrail.co.uk/event/easter/ #Easter

Our Kathryn has been busy preparing the station for the Easter Bunny's visit this weekend. His friends have arrived early, and it looks like they've already made themselves at home. #Easter

EASTER MONDAY TRAINS SOLD OUT Our Easter Eggspress trains are now fully sold out, unfortunately we will not be able to facilitate pay-on-the-day customers. We have some places left on Sunday's trains, we stongly advise securing your place now to avoid missing out. www.downrail.co.uk/event/easter/

Coming to our carriage gallery 11th April www.downrail.co.uk/event/seen-a...

Are you hopping aboard the Easter Eggspress? Just a week to go, and this year promises to be EGGStra special, for we'll be using our classic Edwardian carriages. As you can see, the Easter Bunny has been stockpiling all sorts of treats for the children travelling. www.downrail.co.uk/event/easter/

We love working with other Irish railway heritage groups. It was a pleasure recently to welcome a team from Cumann Traenach na Gaeltachta Láir, the Fintown Railway, recently. The team are installing new points, and came to receive advice on such work from our own Chief Civil Engineer, David Crone.

St Patrick’s Day was not just a busy one for our many passengers, it was a long, hard day’s work for our train crew, especially for Morgan Young who was being put through his GM loco driver’s exam. So now you know what the L plate on the loco was for. To cut a long story short – he passed!

We had a fantastic St Patrick’s Day yesterday. We were joined by musicians Patrick Davey and Nuala McBride who entertained passengers with some top class traditional Irish music. Here’s a small taster of a journey from Inch Abbey to Downpatrick with them.