The
Belfast and County Down Railway (BCDR) was a railway in Northern
Ireland linking Belfast south - eastwards into County Down. It was
built in the 19th
century.
On the 2nd August 1848 with the first section of the line
from Belfast to Holywood opened to passenger traffic for the first
time. Later this line would extend to Bangor and the main line
would run from Belfast to Newcastle, with branches to Donaghadee,
Ballynahinch and Ardglass.
It was later absorbed into the Ulster Transport Authority
in 1948 and all but the line from Belfast to Bangor was closed in
1950.
Incidents and accidents:
On 10th January 1945, 22 passengers died an 24 were
injuredwhen the a railmotorcar ran into the rear of a convetional
train stopped at a signal at Ballymacarrett Juntion. The 7.40am
Railmotor Holywood to Belfat crashed into the rear of the 7.10am
Bangor to Belfast train. The darkness and fog were a factor but the
driver of the railmotor was held to blame. The railway had to pay
out some £80000 in compensation, which crippled the company
financially, leading to its early nationalisation in
1948.
This series will take you to various sites where the
railway stations still remain or once stood.
Newtownards
Ulnlike most of the old station sites the Newtownards BCDR
Station has no remaining buildings or features at the site, just
the remains of an old footbridge on the old railway line.
It has been replaced by NDAI Technical College on Victoria
Avenue.
The old goods shed from Newtownards was to be taken down and
transported to Downpatrick during the demolition of this station.
However unfortunately the ground there was too soft to support the
old stone building.
So instead a new lightweight framed building has been built,
as an overhaul and repair workshop, to the same general proportions
and appearance.
This area can be very muggle heavy during the day with students
coming and going from the college.
Other caches in this series
BCDR Series #1
BCDR Series #2