Overview
The Ballycastle Railway was a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow‑gauge line stretching roughly 16 miles (26 km) between the coastal resort of Ballycastle and the inland junction at Ballymoney in County Antrim. Opened in October 1880, the railway served passengers, tourists heading to the Causeway Coast, and freight from local coal mines, limestone quarries and the famous Lammas Fair. Though passenger services ceased on 3 July 1950, the line’s stone bridges, the 66‑yard Capecastle tunnel and several station buildings remain, providing a tangible link to Victorian engineering on the Irish Sea coast.
History / Background
- Authorisation & Construction – The Ballycastle Railway Act was passed in July 1878. Engineer James Francis MacKinnon oversaw construction, with Butler & Fry of Ballymena as contractors. The narrow gauge was chosen to keep costs low, resulting in a curving route that negotiated river valleys and farmland.
- Opening & Early Operations – The line opened in October 1880, offering three return journeys a day, each taking about 50–60 minutes. Early motive power comprised three Black Hawthorn 0‑6‑0ST locomotives and, from 1908, two Kitson 4‑4‑2T engines. Carriages began as two‑tone brown compartment stock and were later replaced by LMS‑designed corridor coaches in 1933.
- Financial Struggles – Passenger numbers peaked at over 85 000 per year but fell after the 1940s as road transport expanded. A brief closure occurred on 24 March 1924; the Northern Counties Committee (NCC) rescued the line, reopening it on 11 August 1924.
- Nationalisation & Closure – After the 1948 nationalisation of the LMS, the line passed to the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA). As part of a wider rail rationalisation programme, the UTA closed the railway permanently on 3 July 1950.
Industrial Heritage
The railway was more than a passenger service – it was the lifeline for the limestone and lime‑kiln industry centred on Carnlough Harbour. From the early 1850s the line carried stone from the Gortin and Creggan quarries down a steep incline to the harbour, where it was loaded onto ships bound for Scotland. The harbour was expanded in 1853/54 and the first significant cargo of limestone left in August 1854, sparking a boom that saw orders from Glasgow’s Tennent firm for 10 000 tons.
Key features of this industrial network included:
- The ‘hurry’ inclined plane that helped move stone from the quarries to the harbour road.
- Stone‑lined ‘drops’ at the harbour that allowed limestone to be loaded directly onto vessels – a pioneering solution for the time.
- Dual‑gauge bridges over Harbour Road and High Street, still visible today as public footpaths.
- Lime kilns erected from 1855, expanding to five by the late 1850s. They supplied agricultural lime and building mortar until the early 20th century, when demand fell.
Although the quarries and kilns have long closed, the surviving bridges and the former railway alignment give a vivid sense of this industrial past.
Dual‑Gauge Bridges and Carnlough Harbour
The line featured two notable dual‑gauge bridges in Carnlough – one crossing Harbour Road (now known as the Albert Bridge) and another over High Street. Both carried narrow‑gauge and standard‑gauge traffic, allowing the railway to serve the harbour while still connecting to the main Belfast‑Derry line. Today they form part of a public footpath and are highlighted on the Ballycastle Railway Heritage Trail signage.
Heritage and Interpretation
Visitors interested in the railway’s story can see artefacts, photographs and a short display at the Ballycastle Museum. The museum’s collection includes a restored Black Hawthorn locomotive wheel set, original station signage and period photographs, helping to visualise the line in its heyday.
Railway Artefacts at Ballycastle Museum
The museum’s railway exhibit showcases:
- A restored wheel set from one of the original Black Hawthorn locomotives.
- Original station name‑boards from Dervock, Stranocum and Gracehill.
- Photographic panels illustrating the line’s construction, its bustling freight operations at Carnlough Harbour, and the daily life of railway staff.
- An audio‑guide QR code that provides narrated stories of the line’s rise and fall.
Railway Heritage Trail
The former trackbed has been incorporated into a marked Ballycastle Railway Heritage Trail. Signage along the route highlights surviving structures, explains the engineering feats of the stone viaducts and tells the story of the limestone trade. The trail is well‑signposted from Ballymoney town centre, passes the four‑arch Glentow Viaduct, the Dark Hedges Bridge near Armoy and finishes at the Capecastle tunnel portal.
- Trail length – 16 miles in total; walkers often split it into two sections (Ballymoney → Capecastle and Capecastle → Ballycastle).
- Waymarking – Yellow‑green heritage markers are placed at each former station and major bridge.
- Interpretive panels – Provide historical photographs and QR codes linking to audio guides.
What to See & Do
Surviving Stations and Structures
- Ballymoney – Original junction with the Belfast‑Derry main line; the historic station building now houses Translink bus services.
- Dervock, Stranocum, Gracehill, Armoy, Capecastle, Ballycastle – Most stone stations survive as private dwellings or community outbuildings. The former Ballycastle station is now the Ulsterbus depot.
- Capecastle Tunnel – A 66‑yard stone‑lined tunnel listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest on 10 June 2024. The portal is accessible from Islandarragh Road, though the interior remains water‑logged and closed to the public.
- Four‑arch Glentow Viaduct – A striking stone viaduct near Ballycastle that spans the Glentow (Tow) River, framing views of the harbour.
- Dark Hedges Bridge – A small stone bridge arching beneath the famed Dark Hedges near Armoy, a popular photographic spot. (See Armoy for more on the Dark Hedges.)
- Mostragee Road Bridge – An impressive stone bridge that carries the old line over the river at Mostragee, still visible from the roadside.
Walking and Cycling the Former Trackbed
- Riverside Park, Ballymoney – A traffic‑free, level path that follows the original alignment through parkland, ideal for families and wheelchair users.
- Section between Dervock and Armoy – The trackbed has been incorporated into local footpaths, offering gentle walks with occasional glimpses of the original stone bridges.
- Full‑route overview – The old line can be traced on satellite imagery; a convenient Google‑Maps view is available here.
- Cycling – The firm, mostly traffic‑free surface makes the route popular with cyclists; the 8 km stretch from Ballymoney to Capecastle is a common loop.
Practical Information
- Access – Most surviving structures are on public rights of way; station buildings that are now private residences should be viewed from the road only.
- Parking – Free parking is available at Riverside Park (Ballymoney) and at the town‑centre car park in Ballycastle (check local signs for any time restrictions). Parking at the Glentow Viaduct area is limited; visitors should use the Ballycastle town‑centre car park.
- Transport – Ballymoney is served by regular Translink rail and bus services; Ballycastle is reachable by bus from Belfast and by car via the A2 coastal road.
- Facilities – Picnic areas are available at Riverside Park, Ballymoney, and near the Glentow Viaduct. Public toilets can be found in Ballycastle town centre and at the Visitor Information Centre.
- Safety – The Capecastle tunnel interior is not open to the public due to water‑logging; stay on designated paths and watch for uneven stone surfaces on older bridges.
- Accessibility – The Visitor Information Centre provides step‑free entrance, wheelchair‑accessible toilets and designated parking within 50 m. The footpaths are level, but the tunnel remains inaccessible.
- Best time to visit – Late spring to early autumn offers the most pleasant weather and the greatest chance of the limestone‑related interpretive panels being fully staffed during local heritage days.
- Dog‑friendly – The majority of the trail is on level, firm surfaces and welcomes dogs on a leash; the tunnel is off‑limits.
Nearby Attractions
While exploring the railway heritage, consider a short detour to the iconic Dark Hedges, the dramatic cliffs of Fair Head, or the world‑famous Giant’s Causeway further along the Causeway Coast. The area is also served by the Ballycastle Heritage Trail which links museums, historic sites and coastal viewpoints. For a broader coastal experience, see the Antrim Coast and Glens guide.