Highlights

Our Star attraction at the museum is the famous shiny red and black steam engine Drumboe, built in 1907. Drumboe is the only original Donegal steam engine in the County, and was the last ever steam engine to operate carrying passengers, taking passengers on the last journey from Donegal Town (where the current museum) on the 31st December 1959. You can climb on board and imagine you are back in the heyday of steam engines, making your way through the Donegal countryside!

Ireland’s first full-size interactive railway cab since its recent installation has proved a popular exhibit in our museum. Climb inside the cab and imagine travelling across Ireland as you can see the scenery fly past through the cab windows at the front. Installed with the latest flat screen technology you can learn about how a steam engine operates, as well as play a number of fun games where you will come away having learned something new about steam engines and the railways in Donegal.

We have two audio installations where you can listen to both actual recordings of those who travelled on the railways across Donegal, as well as children stories taken from real life events when the railways operated here. Stories include the Station Master’s son who used to play on the trains in Letterkenny as well as the race between a Swiss sports car and a steam engine between Donegal Town and Ballybofey!

Coach 58 has a rich and complicated history. In 1928 the LMS NCC built some new coaches for the narrow gauge Ballymena and Larne railway. After this line closed to passengers these new coaches were transferred to the NCC Ballycastle line in 1933. When this line was closed by the UTA in July 1950 the CDR decided to buy 3 of these coaches in 1952 which became CDR 57-59. This is Coach 58, which is painted in the original CDR colours and often houses current museum exhibitions.

This was the first VDR Railcar built with a full cab. Railcar 15 was built in 1936 by Walker Brothers and the Dundalk Works of the GNRI. The railcar cost 2,275£ and seated 41 passengers with a weight of 12 tons. Railcar 15 was withdrawn in 1960 and was sold at auction in 1961.The body of Railcar 15 was acquired by the Museum in 1995 and moved to Donegal Town. In 2009 it was restored and is now on show. It house our Interactive Railway Cab

We have two original railway Vans, one grey and the other red. Grey vans were used to transport heavy loads like farm stock, meal, etc. Red vans were used for lighter loads like the mail, etc. Grey Van 30 was built in 1881 by the Oldbury Carriage & Wagon Company. Red Van 12 was built in 1887 by the Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon Company for the Clogher Valley Railway and after the closure the CDR bought some of their rolling stock. This Van was withdrawn in 1960. And was restored in 2008.

Both vans today have a variety of unique displays inside them and are housed under our newly built platform that also cover the famous engine Drumboe.

We have a unique collection of artefacts from the railways that once operated across the County and are now housed in our museum. Click this Link to see some highlights from our Museum collection.

We have a selection of railway layouts with operational model layouts including the famous large layout by modeller and painter George Hanna which are a polular attractions for kids of all ages. Several of the layouts replicated actual stations across the County including Donegal Town itself, Inver, Killybegs and Pettigo.

Weather permitting, why not take a ride on our ride-on train which runs down the original Donegal Town Railway platform. If you are lucky, the driver might even take you a second time!

When railway enthusiast Norman Champion was on his honeymoon in Donegal in the 1950’s he took his cine camera with him! Not sure if his wife approved, but we have been left with a unique visual record of the railways recorded just before they closed in 1959. The film can be viewed at the Museum today….

Throughout the year we run a number of exhibitions both in the museum and across the County. Check out our Social Media or email [email protected] to find out more

We have a fantastic Donegal Railway shop on site which offers mainly a exclusive Donegal Railway Museum gifts and publications, many of which you will not get anywhere else. Something for everyone and all pockets!

Our Award Winning Museum offer’s something for everyone, including children of all ages. As well as Railway Models, Ireland’s first Interactive Cab and ride-on railway, we also have lots of children’s games, worksheets, treasure hunts, wooden trains to play with and much much more, to keep kids of all ages busy!

When you are here, why not sit back and enjoy a fresh coffee/tea and tray bakes with our onsite Coffee hut, The Weighbridge