David Laing's railway dream is realised

The result is a stunning journey for those wishing to travel in scenic style from the province's only World Heritage Site, the Giant's Causeway, to the nearby town of Bushmills where the famous whiskey is distilled.

Though many have helped in the new venture, the chief executive of the railway David Laing, has seen a dream realised.

"I became involved with the lovely railway at Shane's Castle when Lord O'Neill told me in 1993 that he was going to close it and sell," he said.

"I already knew about this site, as I had walked here often and I thought, well really one ought to try and put the two together."

A delegation of golf course secretaries were the train's first passengers on Wednesday when the new route met with universal approval.

The track rolls across the Bushfoot course and some members said they looked forward to the prospect of missing or hitting the passing trains.

The new service opens to the public on Saturday and its heady mix of nostalgia, sightseeing and even dodging golf balls may make it a runaway success.