RAILWAY enthusiasts will be in for a ‘rail’ treat on Monday night when the last of a three part BBC One series ‘Walk the Line’ features Barra Best exploring the golden age of railways in Fermanagh.

The series reveals the motivation behind why the railways were built, how they revolutionised the local areas and what signalled the end of the line for so many routes. It focuses on local stories and memories of the disused railways that criss-crossed Northern Ireland and were once the vital arteries of life moving people, livestock, holidaymakers, and a wide range of household goods including fresh bread, newspapers and diary produce.

Nowadays, there is often little evidence left of where the tracks used to be - unless you know where to look!

Some have been transformed into paths for walkers and cyclists, while others have been completely reclaimed by nature.

Barra Best starts his railway pilgrimage in Belcoo where he interviews Mairead O’Dolan who lives in the beautifully restored Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway station. He also takes an opportunity to chat to William Gault who was the Guard on the last day of its operation on the September 30, 1957. Travelling onwards to Enniskillen passing through Florencecourt Railway Station, Barra stops of at Headhunters Barber Shop and Railway Museum to see one of the largest displays of Irish railway memorabilia. Nigel, Gordon and Selwyn Johnston were delighted to chat to Barra about why the museum was created in a barbers shop, the stories behind the railway exhibits and characters who visit the museum. Filming also took place at the exact location in Celtic Park were General Eisenhower addressed US Soldiers on May 18, 1944. Transferring onto the Great Northern Railway line Barra makes his way to Belleek Pottery to learn how the railway was important to its development both transporting raw materials to the pottery and finished porcelain worldwide. Finally it’s onto Pettigo famed for its pilgrimages to Lough Derg were Barra meets up with Fr Brian D’Arcy who shares memories of his father who worked on the Great Northern Railway. Barra explained: “When the first train left Great Victoria Street in Belfast for Lisburn, County Antrim, in 1839 it changed things forever.

“The trains were fast, dangerous and exciting. At one point, almost everyone in what was to become Northern Ireland lived within five miles of a station.

“Trains for me are a way of getting from A-to-B, but many people love the golden age of the railways and I wanted to find out why.

“I had hoped I would find some hidden treasures as I walked the line, and I did.” ‘Walk The Line’ will be aired on BBC One on Monday at 7.30pm.