Belfast–Bangor line explained

Bangor line
Type:Commuter rail
Regional rail
Heavy rail
System:NI Railways
Status:Operational
Locale:Northern Ireland
End:Bangor
Stations:14
Routes:Belfast-Bangor
Operator:NI Railways
Stock:Class 3000 "C3K"
Class 4000 "C4K"
Tracks:Double track
Electrification:Un-electrified
Speed Mph:70
Routenumber:NIR Service 1

The Belfast to Bangor line (known simply as the Bangor line by NI Railways[1]) is a railway line in Northern Ireland, originally part of the Belfast & County Down Railway. All services are operated by NI Railways, the only operator for Northern Ireland (NI). Unlike the rest of the United Kingdom, no railway in NI is part of the National Rail network and none is owned by Network Rail. Services run every half-hour, with up to six trains per hour in each direction (3 express and 3 stopping services) at peak times.[2]

All NIR services on this line terminate at Belfast Lanyon Place stopping at stations in between.

Trains typically operated between Portadown and Bangor on weekdays and Sundays, and between Lisburn and Bangor on Saturdays. However, this service has been temporarily suspended due to the closure of the Lisburn to Belfast Lanyon Place line for the Belfast Grand Central enabling works.[3]

Rail Air Link

The Belfast-Bangor Line is part of the key link into Belfast city centre. Trains run from to Sydenham for planes from George Best Belfast City Airport.

Museum rail access

The Bangor Line serves important museums including the Ulster Museum, where passengers can alight at and for the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum alight at .

There is a private rail siding at Cultra[4] which is used occasionally for access by the museum to the main rail network, but is not used by passenger services.

The Odyssey & Titanic Quarter

Passengers can alight at Titanic Quarter station for the Odyssey Arena and the Titanic Quarter.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NI Railways Route Map . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408182703/https://trn-prd-cdn-01.azureedge.net/mediacontainer/medialibraries/translink/route-maps/ni%20railways/nir-schematic-map.pdf . 8 April 2024 . 8 April 2024 . Translink.
  2. Web site: Bangor-Portadown Line Timetable . https://web.archive.org/web/20240329180453/https://www.translink.co.uk/timetables?routeHashCode=553494ffc4be8245063cd5da0dc8e04dd7ac9d7d5c332bd925ebc84d95f2ea0d&transportMode=Train&route=T0&direction=H . 29 March 2024 . 29 March 2024 . Translink.
  3. Web site: BGCS Works . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708225243/https://www.translink.co.uk/bgcsworksupdates . 2024-07-08 . 2024-07-08 . translink.co.uk.
  4. Web site: 31 January 2024 . Northern Ireland Railways Network Statement 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408185128/https://trn-prd-cdn-01.azureedge.net/mediacontainer/medialibraries/translink/publications-and-documents/policies-and-procedures/network-statement/network-statement-2025-final.pdf . 8 April 2024 . 8 April 2024 . Translink . 15 . "There are some connections to private sidings at Whitehead and Cultra.".