Bangor

The Belfast & County Down Railway opened their line from Belfast to Bangor in 1865. The BCDR station at Bangor was an impressive red brick building with an Italianate clock tower designed by Charles Lanyon. Unfortunately the station's architectural features were gradually removed by the UTA following their takeover of the BCDR lines in 1950. Part of the station was also given to the new UTA bus depot yard sited on the former goods shed. Beyond the road overbridge at the north end of the station was the engine shed. The BCDR signal cabin was made redundant in 1988 following colour light introduction and demolished in Nov 1995. The original BCDR station building was demolished in 1995, and replaced by a much brighter and more attractive structure designed by Translink in 2000.
111 Class locomotive No.8113 stands at Bangor Station having arrived on Ian Walsh's 'Blue Thunderer' railtour. The centre track at the station is little used nowadays. One of Northern Ireland Railway's 3000 Class railcars, No.3019, approaches Bangor Station with a stopping service from Belfast. A contrast between a locomotive hauled train and a railcar at Bangor Station. The British Rail built Mk2 Gatwick stock is no longer in service. To match the Mk2 Gatwick coaching stock, NIR refurbished one of their ex Mk2 generator vans used on the Dublin to Belfast 'Enterprises', it is seen here behind the locomotive.
NIR's 8113 is seen reversing out of Bangor Station prior to running around the 'Blue Thunderer' railtour. The former Belfast & Couty Down Railway signal cabin was once sited behind the train, it was demolished in 1988. As the run round loop within Bangor Station has long since been removed, the 'Blue Thunderer' railtour must reverse out of the station to use the crossover points. The BCDR loco shed was once sited to the left beyond the bridge. It was destroyed by a bomb in the early 1970s. With one of two church spires to be seen in Bangor town, 8113 is now seen back at the platform as it prepares to depart for Belfast with Ian Walsh's 'Blue Thunderer' railtour. The modern Translink style name board on the platform at Bangor Station, reflected in the window of a 3000 Class railcar.
Exterior of the newly rebuilt Bangor Station, which replaced the old but under-used 1865 original Belfast & County Down structure.