All aboard the ghost train! Heritage railway full steam ahead for Halloween spook show

And this Halloween, one heritage outfit is being derailed by a bad case of the undead.

Luckily the folks at Downpatrick and County Down Railway know someone who can keep them on the right track; they’ve called in the man who took down Dracula, vampire hunter Professor Van Helsing.

Troublesome sightings of creepy creatures roaming the night have transformed the heritage railway into a ghost train, where a family-friendly spook show offers all the little boils and ghouls a de-frightful time this Friday and Saturday.

Says railway chairman Robert Gardiner: “First we had reports of vampires and witches, then the zombies started appearing, and now someone has spotted a mummy on the tracks.

“We’ve dealt with strange goings-on at the railway before, but this looks like a job for an expert.

“Fortunately, we know just the man to call. Van Helsing has agreed to come to Downpatrick, although whether even he knows what he's letting himself in for remains to be seen.”

The experience blends classic horror with comedy and audience participation, as actors take visitors of all ages through the historic site and onto a heritage train ride into the dark Co Down countryside on the volunteer-run railway’s vintage locomotives and carriages.

Dubbed the ‘Phantom Flyer’, it’s the fourth year in a row that creative team Avalard Productions have been all aboard for Halloween-themed supernatural adventures.

Last year saw Dr Frankenstein come to Downpatrick, and this year’s event promises to be a real monster mash.

Unlike a conventional theatre production, the ‘Phantom Flyer’ invites children and their families to help its characters as the story unfolds around them.

With supernatural visitors threatening Downpatrick, train passengers will have a part to play helping Van Helsing confront the forces gathering on the railway. The result’s a mixture of spooky storytelling, comic encounters and interactive adventure, designed with children in mind – and fancy dress is encouraged.

Said Robert: “Van Helsing is a formidable opponent for any vampire, but he can’t be expected to deal with the whole supernatural population of Downpatrick on his own. We need people who are prepared to get involved, keep their nerve and help us put things right.

“If you’re coming along, don't expect to sit quietly and watch from a distance. You might find yourself helping to solve a supernatural problem, confronting a rather suspicious character or discovering that the person standing beside you isn’t quite what they seem.”

For kids who want to look the part, Kazadoodle Facepainting will be on hand to transform little monsters into something really creepy and kooky before they board, with imaginative designs adding to Halloween costumes that should get them ready to join Van Helsing's supernatural showdown.

The Phantom Flyer pulls into Downpatrick and County Down Railway on Friday and Saturday, with four performances each day.

The interactive family performance takes place both indoors and outdoors and includes a journey aboard the heritage train. Organisers say the show is suitable for all ages, though parental discretion is advised for very young or nervous children.

Tickets and further details are available at www.downrail.co.uk