John then rejoined his train and chatted to David Erwin about the line from Castlerock to Coleraine which passes by Castlerock Golf Club before running along the bank of the River Bann.

Listen to David Erwin

At Coleraine John left the modern diesel train to catch the steam-hauled Portrush Flyer for the next stage of his journey. Before it left he had time to chat to the driver, Noel Playfair.

Listen to Noel Playfair

And on board the train, John spoke to Johnny Glendinning, Chairman of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.

Listen to Johnny Glendinning

When the railway arrived on the North Coast 150 years ago, Portrush was just a small fishing hamlet, not the vast, popular seaside resort it is today. The railway was responsible for much of the development here, as John found out from Hugh McGrattan who was a local journalist and newspaper editor.

Listen to Hugh McGrattan

Unfortunately John had to leave the rails briefly at Portrush because the world-famous Causeway tram, which started just outside the railway station, closed nearly 60 years ago. Today the nearest equivalent is the open-top Bushmills bus which follows part of the route of the old tramway.

Translink’s open top Bushmills bus operates along part of the North Coast in summer months from Coleraine via Portrush and Bushmills to the Giant’s Causeway.
(Photo: Translink)

On the bus, John met up with Michael Pollard who worked as a conductor on the trams in their last year of operation.

Listen to Michael Pollard

But although the causeway tram may be long gone it is certainly not forgotten and a new railway has risen, phoenix-like, on part of the old trackbed. John travelled from Bushmills to the Giant’s Causeway, journey’s end, with Kathleen Millar is the manager of the Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills Railway.

Listen to Kathleen Millar

Journey’s end – the Giant’s Causeway Railway station
Photo: BBC

Listen to the entire programme...

Radio series produced by Ian Sinclair © BBC Northern Ireland

Relevant Links:

The main railway lines in Northern Ireland, including the line from Londonderry to Coleraine and Portrush, are operated by Translink who also run the Bushmills open top bus. Details of all Translink services can be found at www.translink.co.uk

Translink also has a specific web page about the North Coast Railway:
www.translink.co.uk/NorthCoast.asp

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland run the Portrush Flyer and various other steam excursions throughout Ireland. Details of their excursions can be found at www.rpsi-online.org

For details of services on the Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills Railway, you can call for train information: 028 2073 2594, station: 028 2073 2844 or e-mail infogcbr@btconnect.com.