Whitehead Railway Museum

Are you looking for somewhere different for the kids this weekend? Or perhaps you have seen our steam trains out and about and want to see the engines close up? For a unique day out, why not make tracks to the award-winning Whitehead Railway Museum? Located on the Causeway Coastal Route just 15 miles from Belfast, the Museum is the place to go if you want to rub shoulders with the giants of steam and learn how the railways changed society. The Museum is wrapped around the workshops of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland so you can watch as restoration work takes place. You can step on board several historic carriages and locomotives from the Society’s collection. Our five fascinating galleries are brought to life by video and interactive displays. Our children’s play area enables our younger visitors to fire their imaginations by dressing up in Edwardian-style clothes. They can make believe they are train drivers and passengers. Your trip is not complete without a visit to the charming Edwardian Tea Room, Cups and Carriages. It’s the perfect spot to refuel with family and friends, serving hot and cold drinks and a selection of lunches. There is also a small gift shop for souvenirs. Whitehead Railway Museum is just 30 minutes’ drive from Belfast and 20 minutes from Larne. Or why not make it a “railly” complete day out and travel by train along the scenic coastal line to Whitehead NIR? The station is just 10 minutes’ walk from the Museum. As a special attraction over the summer, a steam train will be offering rides up and down the siding within the Museum from 12:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays in July and August. The “Steam Saturday” train ride takes 10 minutes and operates on demand, no need to book. It is an ideal way to sample steam train travel, with all of its aroma, sound and atmosphere.

---

Standard price

Adult £7.00
Child £5.00 (3-16 years)
Toddler £6.00
Family (2+2) £20.00
FOC Member/Volunteer £5.50

Groups (10 or more people)

Group Adult £6.00
Group Child £4.00
Group Concession
£5.00 Education
£4.00 Child/Adult
£1.00 Workshop

---

Opening times

Starting 01/01/2023
Finishing 31/12/2023
Monday: Open
Tuesday: Open
Wednesday: Open
Thursday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Friday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Saturday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Sunday: Open
BankHoliday: Open

Starting 01/01/2024
Finishing 31/12/2024
Monday: Open
Tuesday: Open
Wednesday: Open
Thursday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Friday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Saturday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Sunday: Open
BankHoliday: Open

Starting 01/01/2025
Finishing 31/12/2025
Monday: Open
Tuesday: Open
Wednesday: Open
Thursday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Friday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Saturday: Open from 10:00 to 14:30
Sunday: Open
BankHoliday: Open

---

Book using

https://steamtrainsireland.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873624520/events/129563634

---

Price from £

Adult £9.00
Child * £6.00
Family (2+3) £25.00
Member ** Free

Group Adult *** £8.00
Group Child £5.00

Educational Groups Prices are available on request
* A child is 3 to 16 years.
** Members must produce a current membership card. Excludes special events.
*** A group consists of 10 people or more (group leader will have free entry).

---

Directions from Town

By Train: For the Belfast-Whitehead railway line timetable information please go to www.translink.co.uk or ring Translink's Contact Centre on +44 (0) 28 9066 6630 (Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:00 to 20:00, Saturday & Sunday 08:00 to 18:00). The nearest train station is Whitehead, with normally two trains every hour Monday-Saturday. It is approximately a half mile walk to the Whitehead Railway Museum from the seaward side of the railway station. Connections from the Dublin direction may be made at Belfast Central station.

By Bus:  Bus routes are as follows: 163 Belfast - Greenisland - Whitehead OR 168 Belfast - Carrickfegus - Whitehead.  For bus timetable information please go to www.translink.co.uk or ring Translink's Contact Centre on +44 (0) 28 9066 6630 (Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:00 to 20:00, Saturday & Sunday 08:00 to 18:00)

---

Getting to the start by car

By Car (Coming from Belfast direction): Take the M2 from Belfast and merge on to the M5 towards Whiteabbey. Follow the signs for A2 to Carrickfergus. Continue past Carrickfergus Castle to Whitehead and turn right past the service station onto Cable Road. Turn left on to Kings Road, continue straight and cross the bridge. At the Chester Avenue junction, turn left, and immediately turn left again onto Castleview Road. Parking is available adjacent to the youth centre. The entrance to the museum is past the youth centre.