Ulster and Connaught Heritage Railways
13 February 2008
A new brand - Ulster & Connaught Heritage Railways – has been developed to promote four heritage railways in the northern part of the Island of Ireland as part of the successful two-year Cross-Border Heritage Railway Cluster Project.
The Giant’s Causeway & Bushmills Railway, Cumann Traenach na Gaeltachta Lair Teo/Fintown Railway, Cavan & Leitrim Railway, and Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway collaborate in the cross-border partnership.
Approximately 75% of the project’s funding, €370,500, came from the European Union through the INTERREG IIIA Programme, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership.
The project has enabled the railways to carry out capital development work, including repairs to locomotives and rolling stock, and most significantly, a 500-metre track extension at Fintown Railway in County Donegal.
“In addition to benefiting from a collective approach to commissioning capital development work, the project is enabling the small staff and many volunteers who run the four small railways to pool resources and share and exchange expertise and information,” commented
Project Manager, Martin McAndrew.
A good example of the project’s cross-border cooperation in action was illustrated through visits by the experienced Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway Society Permanent Way team to lend a hand with the specialized work required to lay the points and turning loops on the new track extension at Fintown alongside Lough Finn.
“Through the project we have also run a number of training workshops for staff and volunteers from the member railways, including, for example, Permanent Way training, and in February, a seminar on Marketing and Customer Care,” Martin added.
With visitor numbers at each of the railways creeping up, hopes are high for the future. “We have set up a new, informative website and have launched a Heritage Rail Trail brochure and promotional campaign for the Ulster and Connaught Heritage Railways,” Martin explained.
“This summer, visitors taking the Rail Trail will be able to pick up a season ticket at any of the four partner railways. And if passengers have their season ticket stamped at all four railways they will receive a special commemorative print by railway artist Deborah Wenlock,” he added.
For further information visit: www.ucrailways.com