Many older people in Belfast will recall visits to Bellevue Zoo and a trip on its miniature steam railway. John Bennett goes on a journey in search of the lines little locomotive “Jean” and on the way he recalls the heyday of Belfast’s tram system, which led to the opening of Bellevue, looks at the history of the Bellevue Miniature Railway and traces the story of “Jean” and her remarkable survival.

However, the very existence of the Bellevue Pleasure Gardens was thanks to Belfast’s tram system – the park was built to encourage people to travel there by tram – so John began his journey at Castle Junction, in the heart of the Belfast where High Street meets Royal Avenue, because in days gone by this was the hub of the City’s tram system. There John met up with Mike Maybin, author of a number of books and articles about Belfast’s trams.

(Photo left: John with Danny Martin on "Jean - The Bug" on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent)

Listen to Mike Maybin

For many people, the trams along the Antrim Road led to just one place - the Bellevue Pleasure Gardens, known today as the City of Belfast Zoological Gardens, and the Bellevue gardens were the stomping ground for a young Stewart McFetridge who later recorded their history in a book.

Listen to Stewart McFetridge

So from Bellevue John’s journey took him to Shane’s Castle, for many years home to another pleasure railway, where Lord O’Neill spoke to John about the Shane’s Castle connection in the story of “Jean”.

Listen to Lord O’Neill

And so from Shane’s Castle John’s journey took him to Henley-on-Thames and the home of construction magnate Sir William McAlpine who not only rescued “Jean”, but also the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and an even more famous locomotive “Flying Scotsman”.

Sir William McAlpine with John Bennett

Listen to Sir William McAlpine

John’s search for “Jean”, now renamed “The Bug” (actually the locomotive’s original name) ended at the Hythe station of the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway on “Bug Club” day.

At Hythe John met Danny Martin, General Manager of the RHDR and driver of the “Bug Club” special.

Listen to Danny Martin

After taking an eight mile journey behind “Jean”/”The Bug” to New Romney, John had a further chat with Danny about the RHDR and heard from a few of the dozens of Bug Club members who were enjoying their day there.

Listen to Danny Martin

Listen to Bug Club members

The RHDR is actually 13½ miles long, so before heading home John explored the rest of the line to Dungeness.

Link: for further information about the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and “Jean”, now known as “The Bug”, visit: www.rhdr.org.uk

Listen to the entire programme...

Radio series produced by Ian Sinclair © BBC Northern Ireland

Your Responses:

Al - July '06
Delightful little programme, many thanks! More please! :0)