Tracing the Banbridge-Newcastle railway line on Google satellite and street view

The vast majority of the right of way on the Banbridge to Newcastle railway line remains intact. Reopening this line would open up new possibilities for tourism on the South Down coast and be a major economic boost to the area. It would also have the potential to remove cars from the road during commute time.
There is a good case for reopening a station in Castlewellan, but it may require the line to take a new route given the amount of development that has encroached on the old line.
The discussion would also need to include what to do with public transport within Newcastle and the adjacent coastal area. If people are going to arrive in town without cars, it will need to be easy for them to get up and down the coast in order to enjoy all that this wonderful area has to offer.
Referring to the Carlingford ferry as the Strangford ferry was unintentional.

[@TehRavennn]

Fantastic video! I’m from banbridge and went to Ballydown primary. We went to where an old bridge was on the track and went under to sketch the old line. Was so fascinating.

[@theirishvideos]

Great video, just to let you know you can use railmaponline to follow exactly where railway lines went, complete with station names and locations, it also let's you do street view.

[@martinwalsh3228]

Would cut down when reopened on Pollution, Traffic Jams, Car Accidents & Road Deaths.

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Eamonn, That railway used to run beside the Bann beside Solitude park. As a a boy I used to watch the big black steam engines head out of Banbridge from my back bedroom window. I lived at Windsor Terrace on the Castlewellan road going out of Banbridge. It was such a shame and dreadful economic mistake they closed this line and all the others. Best wishes from Belfast.

[@ST-ur7oh]

Great video although at 20min I think you mean Carlingford Ferry

[@eamonnca1]

Yes, that was a little slip-up.

[@ST-ur7oh]

@@eamonnca1 your videos are brilliant and I look forward to a Belfast to Newcastle clip - or even Belfast to Donaghadee. My uncle is a rail enthusiast and is enjoying them also. Greetings from South Down.

[@davidchambers7508]

The Banbridge - Newcastle line was a rural branchline like many in Ireland. Years ago I followed some of the Sallins - Naas - Tullow branch and a local historian confirmed that it was also like this, cattle being the mainstay of railway business but also dealing in other agricultural traffic as well like livestock and produce. I am glad that www.railmaponline.com/ has helped you with your efforts. I wonder though would looking at quadrupling Belfast GV - Knockmore Junction be an idea for another film. Regarding quadrupling have a look at the section of railway from Dublin Pearse to Grand Canal Dock to see an example of such.

[@eamonnca1]

I would like to look into the quadrupling business. I saw a lot of that in France on the TGV lines. Whenever you approach the towns the line quadruples and you start to see local trains running beside the TGV main lines.

[@AndalusianIrish]

You should trace the Ballymena to Red Bay narrow gauge line sometime. A LOT of features still easily visible.

[@eamonnca1]

Is that the one where the Game of Thrones dark hedges are?

[@AndalusianIrish]

@@eamonnca1 No. It wouldn't be. It goes through Martinstown etc. There is the remains of an old station at Parkgate.

[@arsebollocksful]

How likely do you think it would be for the rail lines to be reinstated? I'm too young to have any memory of the rail lines but given the poor transport infrastructure on the island I think its an awful shame that these connecting routes are lost

[@eamonnca1]

I think the chances are improving. There's a growing realization that the closure of the lines was a mistake and that continually adding road capacity is not the answer. They tried that in America and it has not worked, it has just generated more traffic and made quality of life worse. Reopening more railways is going to be an essential part of any climate strategy.

[@charlenesmall7267]

Really interesting- is there a way to contact you with a few queries about this line? I’m looking to more information, hoping you might be able to help

[@eamonnca1]

You can post the queries here if you want. Or do you want to message privately?

[@charlenesmall7267]

Yes please, is is possible to message privately?

[@eamonnca1]

@@charlenesmall7267 It seems like Google has removed the private messaging option on KZbin. You can reach out to me on Twitter. eamonn_gormley

[@smorrow]

You don't really sound from Lurgan.

[@eamonnca1]

Lived in England for 8 years, California for 21 years. I'm probably watered down rightly now.