Harvey puffs at Inch Abbey while the Permanent Way Squad install a new siding

Did you know that the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway is maintained and operated entirely by volunteers?

No? Well, that's not surprising - not many tourist attractions in Northern Ireland are run like us, by the community for the community. Have you ever been down to visit us and gone "how do they do it?" Well, why not come down any Wednesday or Saturday and find out! We're always on the look-out for more help.

Whatever your background or skills we can find a role that will allow you to contribute towards making the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway even better, even bigger and the *best* and most successful heritage line in Ireland!

We are particularly keen to recruit people from all walks of life and all age groups to train as operating staff, e.g. guards, footplate crew, station staff, buffet staff, shop assistants so that we can offer a fully staffed and operational railway, including the shop and buffet, on every operating day. We run trains every weekend in the summer and your help can make all the difference!

But there's so much more as well behind the scenes, why not help get involved taming those Dirty Diesels? Or getting a vintage carriage that's probably spent half of its life as a hen-house rolling again? Or get the signals up and working, or the get the track down?

Each day brings new and exciting challenges, with very diverse opportunities. Full training is provided if you want to go down the operations route, although it may take some time to make the step up to engine driver. Safety gear can be provided for those wanting to get into the Infrastructure Department.

You will meet plenty of new people and perhaps learn new skills and widen your experience, or bring new skills to the railway. We all started from scratch and the more you learn about, and work on, the railway the more likely your chances of eventually finding your niche.

As long as you're above 16 years of age, you're welcome - and you're never too old - our oldest working members are in their 80s.

So do you feel that you are stuck in a rut at weekends - with nothing to do?
Join the volunteers of the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway and gain a whole new world!

What can I do?

There are many jobs on offer to you at our Railway and we hope you will come and help us in whatever capacity you feel most suitable. Many duties such as booking clerk, platform staff, guard, and footplate crew work to a roster where you will be required to give your availability in advance. Other areas, like carriage and wagon or locomotives are co-ordinated by their departmental managers, who will be more than happy to show you the ropes and let you find your feet.

Raymond helps out at Inch Abbey Ticket Office

Ian works on a vintage carriage

The PW team out ballasting the track

Herbie and George prepare the shop for another day

John drives the diesel loco (nice and slowly!)

The signalling team test the fireplace!

Daisy and Heather in the Buffet Carriage

George W, Dessie and George L at the North Down Model Show with our display stall

Booking Clerks
If you are good and comfortable dealing with the public and don't mind handling money, then you may like to consider joining our Railway as a Booking Clerk. The Booking Clerk is the passengers' first point of contact with the Railway and it is essential that the person behind the ticket window and on the platform gives passengers a good impression. The Railway has two operational booking offices at Downpatrick Station and Inch Abbey Station. Booking Clerks work to a roster.

Platform Staff
Again the Platform Staff are key to the railway's customer care, you should enjoy meeting and dealing with the general public. Platform Staff must be smart in appearance and adhere to a set of uniform guidelines, be polite, friendly and approachable, as well as courteous and assist our passengers with any queries or problems they have. The Platform Staff are responsible for the general safety and well being of the passengers, both arriving at the station and also boarding and alighting from the trains.

Carriage and Wagon Department
Our Carriage and Wagon Department is always keen to get new volunteers started. It is responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and restoration of our vintage carriages and wagons, jobs requiring a variety of skills. The work is varied and interesting ranging from engineering on braking systems to painting, woodwork, bodywork repairs and much more. You don't need to have much experience, but a basic understanding of DIY will help, so if you want to hone those woodworking or painting skills, and are looking for challenging and rewarding 'hands-on' work, then the C&W team's the place to be!

Permanent Way Department
The P/W team is responsible for the maintainence and laying of our track - vital work if the railway is to operate safely. Perfect if you work indoors all week long but want to get outdoors at the weekend. There's good team spirit and larks in the team, which usually finds itself out several miles from Downpatrick Station in the countryside. With new extensions to the line in the pipeline, track renewals planned, as well as new manpower-saving equipment on site, it's all-go with the P/W squad. New members are always welcome and full training in all tasks is provided, starting with basic track safety. Safety equipment will be provided to new volunteers after a probationary period. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required.

Sales Department
The Railway's souvenir shops at Downpatrick Station offers our visitors a selection of gifts and merchandise, mainly railway-themed. Popular with our visitors, and busy during operating days, like platform duties you need to be able to deal with the general public. This job is less physically strenuous than other Railway duties, and being mainly sedentary, and may be suited to those who have limited mobility.

Guards
The grade of Guard is attained by members who have spent a good period of time working upon the Railway to get to know its operating procedures and other knowledge. Guards are responsible for the safety of the train and its passengers. Their tasks include preparation of the stock before the day's operations, dealing with passengers, and the safe working of the train throughout the day. Guards also have to be smart in their appearance, adhering to the uniform guidelines, as well as being friendly and approachable when dealing with passenger enquiries.

Signal and Telegraph Department
The Signal and Telegraph (or S&T) department, in conjunction with the Permanent Way team, looks after the planned installations of all signalling and telecommunications equipment on our Railway. This small but important department is looking for new members, both skilled and unskilled. As well as making a heritage line "look the part" with authentic semaphore signals, it will also be essential for the line's safe and efficient operation, especially as the scheme grows.

Locomotive Department
The locomotive department offers many opportunities for aspiring volunteers. We currently have three steam locomotives that need care attention to keep running, as well as five heritage diesels, one of which is currently in storage and crying out for someone to take it under their wing! Much of the behind the scenes work goes un-noticed, but it is vitally important as without working engines, there's no trains! The work is challenging and almost invariably dirty! Anyone who is experienced with engineering and/or machining will be most welcome but these skills are not essential. There is a wide range of tasks for both skilled and unskilled new volunteers as help is required in all corners of the department.

Footplate Crew
Footplate crews are usually trained from members who have spent a considerable time working on our Railway beforehand. It is not necessary for all footplate crews to work solely with the Locomotive department, but some time spent there would help.

Catering Department
Volunteers are always required to assist in the catering side of the Railway. We have a buffet carriage parked at either Downpatrick, Inch Abbey or the Loop Platform on all running days. There is need for staff to operate these important facilities and if you feel you are able to help, you will be very welcome!

Museum and Collection Care
Our railway is also an accredited museum, and it is important to catalogue our collection of artefacts from the original railway, the Belfast & Co. Down Railway, as well as develop a vibrant exhibition to illustrate the railway heritage of the local area. If you are a history enthusiast, and feel that heavy work may not be for you but still want to help, this may be your very area.

Marketing and Fundraising
In order to grow, more people need to find out about the railway. We have a roadshow stand that we take to fairs, exhibitions, and shopping centres to spread the word about the railway. We also need new ideas and ventures and people to implement them - is this you?

Of course, you are not limited to any particular field - many people work across a wide variety of areas. If you find something's not for you, try a different department!

Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, gender, interests or abilities. You don't need to have any experience on the railways or any trade, so whether you are a student, unemployed, retired or simply have a couple of hours spare on Wednesdays or Saturdays, just bring yourself along - you're guaranteed a warm welcome!

Join the Society!

Anyone who wants to volunteer must be a member of the Society, and you can find a membership form at the link above. The Downpatrick & County Down Railway Society has over 200 members, mainly from Northern Ireland, but with a significant number from around the globe. Our membership is drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, but we all have a common interest in preventing priceless artefacts of railway infrastructure and historic rolling stock being swept away with the ongoing modernisation of the rail networks both North and South.

By joining you too can help to promote our aims and work. There is absolutely no obligation to become a volunteer with membership.

Membership of the Downpatrick & County Down Railway Society ensures that you regularly receive our periodical newsletter DCDR News free of charge, as well as our bi-annual magazine, Downrail, keeping you informed of all developments at Downpatrick.

Membership also entitles you to a free ticket for our operating season and the chance to take part in Society visits to other areas of railway heritage across the UK and Ireland.

However, the most important benefit of membership is the ability to shape the direction of the railway. As a democratic organisation, membership entitles you to attend our annual AGM and have your chance to put your views directly to the management of the railway. Want something adopted as official policy? Then prepare a motion!

You can tell us what areas are we doing well in and what areas that need looking at. You also have the right to stand for election to the management committee or simply to vote for or against the election of the following year's Management Committee. Don't like the direction a particular department is going? Think someone else - perhaps yourself - could do a better job? Then use your vote!

It's your railway - it's your say!

Subscription Rates

Our current membership rates are as follows: