Drumawhey Junction

In Real Life
The Belfast and Co. Down Miniature Railway Society operates a 7 1/4” gauge railway called 'Drumawhey Junction', located at Four Road Ends on the Upper Gransha Road, midway between Bangor, Donaghadee and Newtownards in Northern Ireland. The society was established in 1991 with the aim of building a miniature railway complete with locomotives, carriages and buildings for the pleasure of the members and the general public.

The BCDMRS is a 'cross-community' organisation with a broad mix of people who help to develop the railway, build their own locomotives or just enjoy being part of a group of like-minded people.

The Railway has an interesting track plan incorporating both a tunnel and a lattice steel bridge and 2km of track with varied routes. A signal box controls the turnouts, colour light and semaphore signals. The track is laid with steel rail and the turnouts were built by the members.

In Miniature Railway Adventures
In the stories, Drumawhey Junction is exactly as it is in real life, only like the MES in the stories is an enterprising business.

During 2010 a sudden staff shortage takes place which sees the Model Engineers Society tag in until the issue can be solved. During which strange occurrences take place but only for one day. This happens on the same date every year and nobody can trace whats causing it.

The following year saw the MES loaning the railway several employees as well as a newcomer who was to relief one member of the group who'd suddenly taken ill the night before. During their time several mishaps took place at the railway which resulted in a deputation to take place, to settle an ongoing matter on how the line is operated. The main issue with the railway was how strict the rules were kept which was the main cause of staff shortage. However, the issue was resolved when it was revealed that a deliberate misprint of all the code of conduct booklets had been carried out by an ex member of staff who was dismissed immediately.

Since then, the railway has become much more productive and little issues take place. To return the favour Drumawhey assisted the Model Engineers at various events and sometimes assist them during the early summer seasons.

Trivia

 * Unlike the Model Engineers, Drumawhey is fully equipped to function and operate like a real railway. There are more staff, engines and the line is much longer so fast passenger runs can be carried out.
 * Drumawhey first featured in Miniature Railway Adventures in Episode 3, but was not named until The Signalman.