The Branch Line Society

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Island of Ireland IV Day 1
Thursday 16th May 2019

Report by Will Davies




The special BLS complimentary proof copy of the next Ireland edition of TRACKmaps.
[© Mike Bridge 2019]


Our fourth four-day 'long weekend' started in the first hour after dawn at Belfast Great Victoria Street station as 21 members boarded the 06.05 train to Londonderry. This was formed by CAF built units 4001 and 4017, so a 6-car train. Two more members joined en route. In the first surprise of the day (but not the last), thanks to Mike Bridge of TRACKmaps, everyone taking part this weekend was provided with a special BLS complimentary proof copy of the next Ireland edition for checking and verification purposes so eyes were focussed on the route. It was noted that the Up side of the bidirectional Donegall (double 'L') Quay loop on Lagan viaduct was very rusty. Killagan loop (43m 33ch) was achieved as booked. A slightly late departure was made up by Coleraine and our arrival was on time at Londonderry. Here the construction of the new station (OP 21 Oct 2019) was well under way. Our arrival at the then Waterside (1980) station P1, the end of line (since shortened), was the last on a Society fixture; it was demolished on 5 & 6 Dec 2019.

Our local member Jim McBride joined at Coleraine providing much historic and current information. We were booked to visit the Foyle Valley Museum on the other side of the River Foyle but had been advised the day before that this would not be possible due to overrunning building work (foiled again).

Instead Jim gave a subgroup a most interesting guided walking tour of the Craigavon road bridge, the only double deck bridge in Ireland, pointing out the four railway stations that existed here at one time. Firstly, on the same side of the river as Waterside, was Victoria Road Station, eastern terminus of the Donegal Railway's Strabane line. Then, on the City side of the river, we walked around the outside of the Foyle Valley Museum on the site of the ex-Great Northern Railway (Ireland) - GNR(I) - Foyle Road goods station with its original water tank. Finally we crossed under the Craigavon bridge to the site of the GNR(I) Foyle Road passenger station CP 15 Feb 1965 by the Ulster Transport Authority, now a car park. Then we joined the rest of the group for an excellent, well earned, Irish breakfast in a local café.

Although all these lines were run by different companies, the Londonderry Harbour Commissioners ran lines along their quays and across the lower deck of Craigavon Bridge to allow goods wagon exchange between them (were there any railtours...?). Our thanks go to Jim for a most informative walking tour.

Next it was by coach to Donegal for the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre. At first we were alongside the route of the former 5' 3" gauge GNR Londonderry - Strabane line. The first part still has two miles of the 3ft gauge Narrow Gauge Foyle Valley Railway laid on it. Its last passenger train seems to have been public Santa specials in Dec 2000 and a charter train on 24 Aug 2001. We then visited the well preserved ex GNR(I) station at St Johnston (which once had Customs facilities) with extant platforms and a double track underbridge. Access required a very skilled piece of reversing down a narrow lane by our coach driver. Returning to the coach, we followed the trackbed of the former County Donegal Railways Joint Committee (CDRJC) Strabane - Stranorlar line stopping at the well preserved station of Killygordon before going to Stranorlar where nothing remains of the former CDRJC headquarters.

At the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre at Donegal station itself, some 60 years after the lines closed, we were treated to an enthusiastic welcome from the team. They explained the history, showed us an interesting lengthy video, a compilation of old ciné films, about the workings of the railway and the people and history of the area. They also told us about their campaign to bring 'Drumboe', said to be Donegal's most famous steam engine, home to their museum. After looking at the many exhibits inside and outside the museum it was time to be back on the coach and onward to Hell's Kitchen...

Our drive, in part, paralleled the Claremorris - Athenry out of use section of the northern part of the Western Rail Corridor. Track was clearly evident on the southern section at least but very overgrown.

No, Hell's Kitchen is not the worst restaurant kitchen on earth and Gordon Ramsey didn't swear at us, but a museum and (now former) bar in Castlerea, Roscommon http://bit.ly/2wNhJoE owned and developed by Sean Browne. In 1994, Sean acquired a 1955 diesel loco 'A55' from IÉ, persuaded them to deliver it from Dublin on low loader and install it in a purpose built pit in his pub. The overall effect suggests that the front of the loco has just arrived through the wall of the building into the bar. There are many railway heritage items on display in the bar, adjacent rooms and inside the loco which has tables and chairs and is reached by the cab door from the bar. Admission is €5 and by appointment.

After a short break, we all had a date with the 18.24 train to Dublin from Athlone station. It was time for the second surprise of the day as Kev Adlam presented each participant with their own 4-day Irish Rail Trekker ticket (unlimited rovers)! En route to Portarlington, Clara loop was done. The party split up at Portarlington, some stayed on the train to Dublin for an hour or so before catching the 21.00 to Cork (23.30) booked via Charleville Down Loop, and not by coincidence. Some went south on a Portlaoise terminator for a Cork connection arriving 21.40, a time more convenient for those staying in B&Bs or requiring more sleep before the 07.00 start the following day. A third group went to Ballybrophy for the second train of the day over the full length of the interesting line via Nenagh (every passenger is subsided by over €760) to Limerick. Then it was a taxi share (as there were no more trains) to Limerick Junction for the last train to Cork. All in all, an excellent start to the four days.

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