Many who frequent the tranquil surrounds of Peatlands Park will have been familiar with the railway tracks where for years an endearing little train conveyed families across the peat bogs through “tree-lined corridors”.
Sprawling some 266 hectares between Dungannon and Portadown, the park established in 1990 is rich in peat and the train service was originally implemented to help ferry this cut peat during commercial harvesting back in the 20th Century.
The Peatlands Park railway opened to the general public in the summer of 2019 and the little train became a popular attraction with visitors of all ages.
Sadly, when the pandemic struck just months later the train service – like many services across the country – was derailed.
Recently, a member of the public who had attended the park with family contacted Armagh I to ask why the train was no longer whiffling through the woods.
Speaking to this publication, the park-goer said: “It was a brilliant thing to give children rides around the wildlife park. It was a lovely idea but it’s seemingly not been going for a number of years.
“I think it would be great to have something like that back up and running again, particularly in the summer months when the children are off on holidays.”
In response, as the park is placed under the safeguard of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Armagh I contacted the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for more information.
A spokesperson for DAERA, however, confirmed that the train service will sadly not be making a return.
They said: “Peatlands Park railway last operated in the summer of 2019. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, Peatlands Park railway was halted due to social distancing regulations which prohibited operation during 2020 and 2021.
“Since then, reinstating Peatlands Park railway operations has faced many challenges including staff resources, budget restraints and significant safety concerns identified during an operating licence renewal inspection.
“With these challenges and the current resources required for wider park management, there is no intention at this time, to recommence Peatlands Park railway operations.”
