Post on 17-Dec-2015
TheBelfast & County Down
RailwayMuseum Trust
‘Down’ Memory Line
A ProposedHeritage Steam Railway
(With a Difference)for
Northern Ireland
Saintfieldto
Ballynahinchand
Crossgar
The Proposal
To restore a portion of the former Belfast & County Down Railway
to something as close as possible to its original condition!
But with a twist in the tail!
The Proposal
• Phase 1 - Restoration of
Ballynahinch Junction Station.• Phase 2 – Ballynahinch Junction to
Ballynahinch.• Phase 3 – Ballynahinch Junction to
Rowallane Gardens.• Phase 4 – Ballynahinch Junction to Crossgar.
But not necessarily in that order
WhyThis portion of theBelfast & County Down Railway?
Approximately80% of the
population of Northern Ireland
live within 50 miles of
Ballynahinch
• The line will have centres of population at each terminus!
• It is proposed to link to Rowallane Gardens, the HQ of the National Trust!
• It is easily accessible from all directions.
• The route is all intact!
• It offers a portion of a main line, as well as a typical Irish branch line!
Phase 1
Restoration ofBallynahinch Junction
Station
Ballynahinch Junction in the 1930s
Ballynahinch Junction in the 1940s
Ballynahinch Junction in the 1970s
Ballynahinch Junction in the 1980s
Ballynahinch Junction today
Ballynahinch JunctionTrack layout in 1950
Ballynahinch Junction
Future Proposal
Ballynahinch JunctionProposed Layout
Phase 2
Ballynahinch Junctionto
Ballynahinch
Via Creevyargon Halt
The Ballynahinch Branch
Ballynahinch Station in the 1890s
Ballynahinch Station in the 1890s
Ballynahinch Station in the 1930s – with overall roof
Ballynahinch Station Exterior – c1900
Phase 3
Ballynahinch Junctionto
Saintfield (Rowallane)
This portion of the main line is approximately 1½ miles in length.
A new station is to be located adjoining Rowallane Gardens,
which is the Headquarters of the National Trust in Northern Ireland.
This will be the northern terminus of the line.
Phase 4
Ballynahinch Junctionto
Crossgar
The Main LineBallynahinch Junction to Crossgar
Aerial view of Crossgar – c1980
Crossgar Station
What
Is the twist in the tail?
The Trust has chosen to use the British and International
track gauge of 4’ 81/2” rather than the standard Irish track gauge of 5’ 3”.
What is the significance of that decision?
Locomotives and Rolling Stock.
• We will not have to compete with other Irish preservation groups.
• A wider variety of locomotives and rolling stock will be
available.
• This will be the only line in Ireland that will be able operate some of the
famous engines from the UK mainland!
• Can you imagine the tourism potential?
Former L.M.S. Class 3F 0-6-0TCould we bring one to the ‘Junction?
Two of these engines were brought to Belfast and re-gauged in 1944.
What is possible?
Great Western Railway ‘City of Truro’Held the world speed record for steam in its day.
Everyone knows ‘Flying Scotsman’Could it find its way to Ballynahinch Junction in a few years?
The Ballynahinch Branch Diesel Locomotive.
Could we build a replica in the long term?
Original B.& C.D.R. Carriage No. 18.Using chassis from the UK mainland it would be possible to
restore one or two former B. & C.D.R. carriages.
The same carriage – stored by the Trust for restoration.
Community Involvement
Is essential!
Saintfield
Ballynahinch
Crossgar
A Planning Applicationhas been lodged
for Phase 1.
The Development of
Ballynahinch Junction Station