A community-run heritage narrow-gauge railway running 10km along the abandoned Waterford–Dungarvan line beside the River Suir, offering a gentle 40-minute journey through countryside only accessible by train and the Waterford Greenway.
Board at the restored Kilmeadan Station for a 40-minute return trip (50 minutes on Saturdays) along the River Suir. Travelling at 16km/h in partially open compartments, you'll pass rolling farmland, spot Kilmeadan Castle ruins, and glimpse the Comeragh Mountains. Trains depart on the hour; compartments 5 and 6 are wheelchair accessible.
As the train rolls through a wooded glade, look out for fairy and leprechaun houses hidden among the trees. Children are encouraged to make a wish as they pass — a highlight that sparks imaginations young and old.
Before or after your ride, explore the storyboards around the station tracing the railway's history from 1878 through to its closure in 1967 and community-led revival in 2003. The ticket office itself is a converted Mark 11 railway carriage.
On Mondays to Saturdays, you can disembark at the Mount Congreve Gardens platform and explore one of the 'great gardens of the world' — 70 acres of woodland gardens and a walled garden. Catch a later train back. Tickets sold separately.
Every Wednesday and Sunday in July and August, friendly teddy bears greet families at the station before the train ride — a hit with younger children who can hug the bears and pose for photos.
The railway runs parallel to the 46km Waterford Greenway. Cycle or walk the traffic-free path before or after your train trip. Bike parking, a pump, and a water station are available at Kilmeadan Station.
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