Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway

It was essentially a mineral railway which ran for 161⁄4 miles from Ballymena to Retreat.

Initially it was financially successful, but later the market collapsed and in October 1884 it was taken over by the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR),[2] the sale having been approved by Parliament on 14 July 1884.

[3] In 1886 the first passenger trains were introduced, which terminated at Parkmore, some 23⁄4 miles from Retreat.

The summit at Essathohan siding was 1,045 feet (319 m) above sea level, the highest point reached by an Irish railway.

To reach the tourist areas of Cushendall and Glenariff, passengers had to hire road transport from the Parkmore terminus.