Delayed trains, freezing platforms, rising ticket prices, cramped carriages; modern commuters may have been slightly bemused by the funeral arrangements of a rail enthusiast published in a Nottingham newspaper. The deceased embarked on his final journey to the sound of a Great Western locomotive pulling out of the station. The item however failed to raise any eyebrows on the platform of the Downpatrick & Co Down Railway; indeed it's hard to think of a more fitting tribute for a life devoted to preserving of the age of steam. I've always enjoyed long train journeys, time to read a book, watch the landscape unfold or catch up on some work, but that's as far as its goes. Enthusiasts working with the Railway Museum enjoy a hobby or vocation that often turns into an obsession. They each have three jobs; a maintenance job, an open day job and another one that's needed to pay bills, listed in order of importance. Visiting the railway during the Halloween break even the wizard Merlin was under pressure dealing with the large crowd of children waiting to visit his cave. Resourceful and wise he neatly split the long queue by cloning himself, much to the envy of the other hard pressed rail enthusiasts working to ensure that the trains run on time. The authentic recreation of nostalgic sights and sounds from a bygone era has made the museum popular with filmmakers, it's also a great place to paint, sketch or simply take photos. The Museum is currently looking for informal photographs and stories to include in a magazine celebrating their 20th Anniversary. If you know someone who wants to ask Santa Clause for a train set this Christmas, he will be visiting the Museum during December. I suspect Santa wouldn't mind a train set himself or failing that a new throatplate, regulator valve, or piston.