IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Little Enler Crescent, BT23 5US

The old B.C.D.R.goods shed at the site of the former Comber Station now used by the N.I. Fire And Rescue Service. The railway closed in 1950 and this is one of the few remaining structures to survive intact. Got an attractive facelift sometime along the way into the bargain.

Comber fire station occupies the old Belfast and County Down Railway goods shed – suitably modernised and extended.

Part of the communications mast at Comber fire station Image

Part of the communications mast at Comber fire station Image

A former Vauxhall showroom on the Belfast Road. Offered for sale and described by the agent as “The former filling station / car showroom premises offer extensive accommodation throughout including reception area, car showroom, large workshop area, a range of offices/storage facilities and spacious forecourt. The premises have superb potential and will suit the needs of an array of prospective purchasers and businesses and / or those wishing to re-open a filling station (subject to planning). Alternatively the site, extending to approximately ½ acre or thereabouts has received outline planning permission under application X/2009/0466/O for the development of townhouses”. This photograph appears as a matter of geographical and historical record only. I have no connection with any of the parties involved in the sale. See also Image

See Image The former petrol station on the same site.

This was approximately where Comber railway station was located. The communications mast stands where the goods yard was. The only surviving building from the railway era is the former goods shed located just behind the trees beside the mast and not visible from this position and which is, as far as I know, used by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

An old pump, made by the Blakeborough foundry of Brighouse Image, on the Belfast Road.

A fairly good representation of the small 4-4-2 tank locos which were the main motive power of the Belfast & County Down Railway. My great-uncle worked for the railway as a passenger train guard and would have been familiar with these engines and with Comber station as he travelled up and down the line. The green is maybe a bit lighter than the Brunswick green livery the original sported but it makes a nice addition to the scene and is located near the fire station just off the Comber by-pass and about where the platform once stood. The by-pass is just behind the fence.

See Image A painting of the greyhound “Master McGrath” above the door. Master McGrath was a very successful greyhound owned by Lord Lurgan of Brownlow House, Lurgan where the dog died in 1871. Brownlow was Lord Lurgan’s family name. A cousin (James Brownlow) was the agent for Lord Londonderry who owned land in the area around Comber. See also Image for another house of the same name - there is no suggestion, actual or implied, that the premises are in any way connected or have a common owner. Continue to Image (August 2013).