Newcastle Co.Down

Newcastle, Co.Down, a one time seaside town, was first served by rail when the Belfast & County Down Railway opened their line south from Downpatrick in March 1869. The present BCDR station that remains at Newcastle actually dates from 1905, when it was remodelled to accommodate the Great Northern Railway's built line from Banbridge. The BCDR line from Belfast was closed completely in January 1950, with the GNR line closing completely in May 1955. The station at Newcastle is a large Victorian style brick built terminus, that had two platforms one each for the BCDR and GNR lines. The station also retains its characteristic clock tower, not very common on Irish railway stations. At the back of the former station is the platform retaining wall, and nearby the ex BCDR Slieve Donard hotel.
The simple brick built station building at Newcastle, complete with typical railway clock tower, one of very few in Ireland. Closer shot of the station clock tower at Newcastle, built by the Belfast & Co.Down Railway in March 1903. Newcastle Station, as viewed from former platform site, with the brick platform retaining wall just visable to the extreme left. Originally opened in 1869, the station was heavily rebuilt in 1903, and finally closed in May 1955. The brick built platform retaining wall at Newcastle Station, which once supported a canopy. Much of the site is nowadays a supermarket car park.
One of the few original features to be found within the former station building at Newcastle, now a Lidl supermarket.