A PIECE of an original railway track in Co Down, believed to have lain for around 100 years, has been stolen.
It is understood that the theft of the part of the Belfast and County Down Railway happened on Monday.
It was stolen from an area where Neill's Hill railway station halt was once located in east Belfast with fears it may have been taken for scrap.
The old railway station was once on the main line of the Belfast and County Down Railway, running from Queen's Quay in Belfast to Newcastle, Co Down.
The site where the station once stood now forms part of the popular Comber Greenway.
The theft was reported on the Friends of Neill's Hill Railway Station Facebook page.
Members of the group, which was set up for railway enthusiasts concerned about the remains of Neill's Hill Railway Station being destroyed, have been left angered by the removal of the piece of track.
A note placed by the group on the site where the track lay states: "Rail track has laid on this railway for over 100 years. Lifted for scrap on Monday. Any information contact Friends of Neill's Hill".
One man wrote on Facebook: "I cycled past it this evening and couldn't believe my eyes. Thought it had been moved as part of the path widening, but saddened to hear it was nicked. Lowlifes."
Another man said: "Really sad to hear this, but in all honesty surprised it survived this long.
"We will have to think carefully about how we protect our other rails when we come to lay them."
