Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive is a free public access resource for teachers, students, historians and anyone who has an interest in moving images. Spanning from 1897 to the present day, the films in the Digital Film Archive cover all aspects of life in Northern Ireland and includes everything from dramas to documentaries, newsreels and features, animation to amateur footage.
This film is part of Free
All Aboard: Shane's Castle Railway and the Enterprise leaves Belfast
Relive your memories of the Shane’s Castle railway. Inspired by the Blitz and built in the family castle ruins, Lord O’Neill’s private passion becomes a tourist attraction.
In partnership with:
Overview
Share in a rarely realised dream, as railway buff Lord O’Neill creates his own steam railway. This magical train transports visitors from the carpark to the Castle ruins. O’Neill’s love of trains began during World War II in a London bomb shelter. The shelter was owned by a member of the Model Engineering Society who would give him their journal to read. A lifelong passion blossomed from this kind distraction from the air raids. Under a rainbow the Enterprise leaves Belfast.
Shane’s Castle was the ancient seat of the O’Neill’s; the powerful Irish clan associated with the red hand of Ulster. A fire in 1816 reduced the castle to ruins. Lord O’Neill opened the estate as a tourist attraction starring this narrow gauge railway from 1971 until it closed in 1995. It was pieced together from rescued steam and diesel locomotives along with ex-County Donegal Railways railcars and Belgian trams. He is an avid collector and president of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. The Enterprise is a Mark 3 Generator Van and a 201 Class locomotive made up of DVT with First Plus, buffet carriage and four standard carriages. The Mark 3 as seen in this film was introduced on the CIÉ system in 1980.
Related
Watch for free
Wexford Railway Station (1902) Wexford Railway Station (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent
A flurry of activity at Wexford Railway Station as passengers alight an Edwardian steam train.
Watch for free
Bicton Woodland Railway Bicton Woodland Railway
Current affairs 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Bicton Park
Bicton Woodland Railway reopens to passengers for the summer season
Watch for free
Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch
Amateur film 1953 5 mins Silent Location: Peterchurch
Railway services on the Golden Valley line in Herefordshire slip into history.
Watch for free
Folkestone's Leas Lift Cliff Railway and the Crab & Winkle line. Folkestone's Leas Lift Cliff Railway and the Crab & Winkle line.
Amateur film 1955 16 mins Silent
A triple treat for rail fans is featured here with signalbox action, a seaside cliff-railway and an eerie walk along the ghost of a line - plus a bonus for aviation enthusiasts
Watch for free
The Southern Railway Runs a Special! ...To Their Flower Show at Raynes Park The Southern Railway Runs a Special! ...To Their Flower Show at Raynes Park
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Raynes Park
Pint-sized propulsion on a miniature steam railway delights the young and old
Watch for free
Train Ride to Devil's Bridge Train Ride to Devil's Bridge
Travelogue 1964 11 mins Location: Aberystwyth
12 miles of magic as we journey on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, one of the Great Little Trains of Wales
Watch for free
Shane's Castle Shane's Castle
Amateur film 1970 2 mins Silent Location: Randalstown
Share in a rarely realised dream, as railway buff Lord O’Neill creates his own steam railway.
Watch for free
Ulster Ulster
Documentary 1967 27 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
A documentary examining the links between religion and politics in Northern Ireland.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.