Whitehead Railway Museum

This five fascinating gallery museum allows you to rub shoulders with the giants of steam. You can step on the footplate of an engine, get on board several historic carriages and locomotives from the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s collection and watch as restoration work takes place.

The museum is the perfect place to hear the story of a major railway accident in Co. Armagh in 1889, which resulted in a reform of railway safety in many parts of the world.

The children’s play area enables 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. It’s the perfect spot to refuel with family and friends.

Located on the Causeway Coastal Route, the museum is just 30 minutes from Belfast. But why not have a “rail” good experience and travel by train? Visitors with a valid rail or bus ticket will receive 20% off their ticket price. The scenic coastal line to Whitehead NIR is just 10 minutes’ walk from the Museum.

The RPSI has long been recognised for the excellence of its steam train trips such as the Steam Enterprise, the Steam and Jazz train, the Portrush Flyer and the seasonal specials at Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Now you can come and see where the steam engines live the rest of the time!

The RPSI is a charity run mainly by volunteers - Charitable Status Nos: NIC102389 (NI) and CHY6141 (RoI). The RPSI is a limited liability company registered in Northern Ireland, NI 10798

Guided tours last approximately one hour and are available at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm.

Covid-19

Whitehead Railway Museum has been awarded the ‘Good to Go’ industry standard mark, certifying that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and have the required processes in place.

The comfort and wellbeing of our volunteers and visitors is of utmost importance and so they have introduced a number of new measures.

Measures they have undertaken:

To help us maintain social distancing measures we are asking all visitors to book online in advance.

• Enhanced cleaning regimes on site, with touch points in each gallery being wiped down regularly.


• Hand Sanitiser Stations are provided for you to use throughout the site.


• Asking guests to maintain social distancing whilst using our facilities.


• Toilets are available on site, but only 1 household or bubble at a time will be permitted to use.


• Some areas may be restricted, due to social distancing regulations.


• Using Perspex screens to protect visitors, staff and volunteers.


• Providing clear and frequent visitor information signage and floor markings on site.

Visitor Responsibilities

• If you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 we would ask you and members of your party or family group to not attend the railway museum.


• Please respect social distancing measures whilst on site. We are a largely open-air museum, with a great deal of space so as to allow for 1-2m distance between visitors.


• You are not required to wear a face covering, but this is advised. All of our staff and volunteers will be wearing appropriate PPE. Face Masks will be available for purchase in our tearoom.


• Please refrain from touching your face.


• Wash your hands often and use the hand sanitisation stations available as much as possible.