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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£289.3K
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Spending
£274.6K
Public benefits
To advance the education of the public in the history and development of railway locomotion by provision of an operating railway providing a passenger link from the historic market town of Bushmills to the UNESCO World Heritage site at the Giant’s Causeway. To inform and educate of the historical importance of the first hydroelectric tramway which
ran from Portrush to Bushmills to the Giant’s Causeway from 1883 – 1949. The railway has been built to the Irish narrow gauge of three feet (0.915m) and runs for two miles along the trackbed of the former Giant’s Causeway Tram. ‘The Giant's Causeway Tramway, operated by the Giant's Causeway, Portrush and Bush Valley Railway & Tramway Company Ltd, was a pioneering 3ft (914 mm) gauge electric narrow gauge railway operating between Portrush and the Giant's Causeway. 9 1/4 miles (15 km) long, it was hailed at its opening as “the first long electric tramway in the world”. Promoted by W.A. Traill it was powered by hydroelectricity from an elevated third rail, although steam tram engines were also used in its earlier years, and the power supply was converted to overhead wire in 1899. It opened to Bushmills in 1883, the extension from there to the Causeway following on 1 July 1887. The line did not reopen after the end of the 1949 season on 20 September, and was subsequently dismantled. The new railway comprises of equipment originally assembled by Lord O’Neill for a tourist line at Shane's Castle, Country Antrim, which closed in 1994. Clearance of the new track bed commenced at the end of 1999 and the railway carried its first passengers at Easter 2002.On Saturday 10 July 2010 the Giant’s Causeway & Bushmills Railway took delivery of a specially customised 4 coach diesel multiple unit capable of accommodating up to 90 passengers, all of which have been specially designed to recreate, in so far as it be possible, the passenger experience of the original hydroelectric tram.’ To provide a facility for recreation and enjoyment for all persons. To provide information in relation to the advancement of local heritage education and information.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
The Giant’s Causeway & Bushmills Railway provides a passenger link between the historic town of Bushmills and the famous hexagonal stone columns of the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site. The railway has been built to the Irish heritage narrow gauge of three feet (0.915m) and runs for two miles along the track bed of the former Giant’s Causeway
Tram. Preservation of two steam locomotives (one of which is believed to be the oldest operable Peckett Locomotive in the world)
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- General public
- Older people
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
How the charity works
- Education/training
- Heritage/historical
