Downpatrick was the terminus of the Beflast & Country Railway's mainline from Beflast, but in the 1870s an extension of the line south to Newcastle, with a branch to Ardglass necessitated a triangular junction, from which passenger trains had to run in and out of the terminal station before continuing south. The junction(the loop platform), located just south of the present day Downpatrick Station, also allowed through running for goods trains heading south. The entire BCDR network in County Down, except the Bangor line, was closed by the UTA in 1950.

However in 1985, the now Downpatrick & County Down Railway was formed, and have now rebuilt the former BCDR mainline out of a new terminus station in Downpatrick (the original one was unfortunately demolished in the 1970s) out beyond the loop platform to Inch Abbey. A museum and railway workshops have also now been established at the railway, and train rides are offered to the public during parts of the year. The BCDR have a unique fleet of engines, ranging from former CIE E&G class diesels, and GSWR's 0-6-0 tank engine, number 90(under restoration at Whitehead by RPSI) dating from 1875, along with a fleet former wooden body coach stock, such as the former BCDR Holywood railmotor car.