Ireland's only standard gauge heritage railway, north or south, running through Saint Patrick's Country.https://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mrs22gac2c2sIf 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?29 Jul 2026 13:33 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrs22gac2c2shttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mrptbj36ps2vView 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, 16:00.28 Jul 2026 16:27 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrptbj36ps2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mrhtcpod3c23TRAINS 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 2026.25 Jul 2026 12:06 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrhtcpod3c23https://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mraq6bwatc2oIn 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.22 Jul 2026 16:21 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mraq6bwatc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mqywip6ufs2z124 waits patiently in the sun as Thumper 458 returns on another trip from Inch Abbey.19 Jul 2026 13:53 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqywip6ufs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mqyuglfl3222Happy drivers, as always, on our railway.19 Jul 2026 13:16 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqyuglfl3222https://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mqyufftibk22First train of the day at Inch yesterday.19 Jul 2026 13:15 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqyufftibk22https://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mqttkvo6n222Fancy 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.17 Jul 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqttkvo6n222https://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mqnamk73ks2xOur station entrance at its very best in this glorious weather.14 Jul 2026 22:22 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqnamk73ks2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mqacb33fw22zhttps://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/07/uta-rolling-stock-book-donation/09 Jul 2026 18:47 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqacb33fw22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mq5x6qvvl22phttps://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/07/zwiebelpfeife/08 Jul 2026 20:23 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq5x6qvvl22phttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mq3olnbgkk27https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/07/dinosaur-event-2025/07 Jul 2026 22:44 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq3olnbgkk27https://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mpwmtt7imk2vThat'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!05 Jul 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpwmtt7imk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mpmifjf5322bIf 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/01 Jul 2026 21:44 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpmifjf5322bhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mpjneiyafc2tOnly 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. https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/jurassic/30 Jun 2026 18:34 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpjneiyafc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mpf5o6foqc2mhttps://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/06/gswr-90-restoration-update-june-2026/28 Jun 2026 23:43 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpf5o6foqc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3moy5kxbe6c2tJust 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. https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/jurassic/23 Jun 2026 19:36 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3moy5kxbe6c2thttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3movoqpvtkk2440 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.22 Jun 2026 20:06 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3movoqpvtkk24https://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3monfbgkm7c2wIt'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.19 Jun 2026 12:55 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3monfbgkm7c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mo445bwr5k2wOnly 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.com12 Jun 2026 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo445bwr5k2whttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mnz2bd2rjc2qPsst... we've added some new badges that we think you might like. downrail.myshopify.com Proceeds to our carriage projects.11 Jun 2026 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnz2bd2rjc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mnx25apuj22gYou never who might come to visit our railway. https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/06/railway-rescue-frog/10 Jun 2026 15:37 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnx25apuj22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mnspvc2luc2aCurrently under overhaul, when complete No.90 will be the oldest operating loco anywhere in Ireland. The little engine dates from 1875. https://www.downrail.co.uk/rollingstock/gswr90/08 Jun 2026 22:23 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnspvc2luc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mnpcphetjk2lOur station really is blooming up for summer.07 Jun 2026 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnpcphetjk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mnnogvkqns2jhttps://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/06/kings-award-ceremony/06 Jun 2026 22:14 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnnogvkqns2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mmrxoaw2is2shttps://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2026/charter-train-sees-another-irish-preservation-first26 May 2026 21:45 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmrxoaw2is2shttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mmococ4ggs2zSummer season trains are now open for booking at DCDR https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/summer-trains/25 May 2026 10:51 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmococ4ggs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mlxwndl6ws2zThis 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. https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/jurassic/16 May 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlxwndl6ws2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mlvtjh6u2c2lLimited places left https://www.irishtractiongroup.com/2026/downpatrick-diesel-gala-2026-now-on-sale15 May 2026 17:16 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvtjh6u2c2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/downrail.bsky.social/post/3mlvjbznnys22https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/05/royal-garden-party/15 May 2026 14:13 +0000at://did:plc:fpuofrunfhktmzsuroomalrn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvjbznnys22