A Special Tribute to our Armed Forces

The South Devon Railway has received an appeal for help from the Belfast & County Down Railway Museum Trust who are preparing to restore part of the former Belfast & County Down Railway between Saintfield and Ballynahinch (5 Miles) that was closed in 1950. They have already purchased a considerable portion of the track-bed, and have decided to re-lay the line using 4' 8½" gauge track, rather than the Irish gauge of 5' 3".

This will therefore be the only 4' 8½" gauge line in Northern Ireland, and indeed in the whole of Ireland, and as such they are seeking the support and co-operation of mainland railway groups, and individual enthusiasts, to help them to get it off the ground.

They have agreed terms for the purchase of two Polish steam locomotives that are to be named ‘Hero’ and ‘Remembrance’ as a special tribute to British and Allied forces, and they would be pleased to make copies of their special brochure about these engines available to SDRA members, or to visitors to the SDRA site; in order to help them achieve this objective.

For brochures, pledge forms, or posters please contact the B&CDRM directly;

They have until the end of July to raise pledges of funding to purchase the engines, and would appreciate any assistance or support that you could possibly give them.

Full details of their plans for the engines, and information about their proposals are available on their web site at: www.countydownrailwaymuseum.org.uk