Negative rail comments

SIR, — I find it very hard to understand the negativity and intransigence shown by the Downpatrick Railway group’s comments in your paper recently.

The comments came after another group proposed a similar heritage railway, one that could enhance the appeal of their own and increase the tourist attractions in the area, with the possibility of the two groups linking up at Crossgar with an “end to end junction.”

The fact that the other railway would have a different track gauge, with the possibility of running different engines, especially famous named engines, would only increase the tourist attraction as it also widens the scope for acquiring rolling stock, especially stock that would be of no use to Downpatrick at all.

The final statement in the recent article that the other group “should come and talk to them” is rather at variance with their initial stance.

I for one would take a lot of convincing about the sincerity of some of their comments. They themselves seem to be lost in the wilderness.

Yours etc.,

ALAN JOHNSTON,

Swallow Crescent,

Ballyhalbert.