Anniversary

[jhb171achil]

Today, 3rd November, is the 45th anniversary of the closure of Ireland's last "traditional" branch line, and with it the last mixed trains in Ireland. This was, of course, Attymon Junction to Loughrea, in Co. Galway.

 

On the same day, the ex-GNR branch from Dromin Junction to Ardee closed completely. It had  survived on one goods train a day since well back into GNR times, having lost its passenger service in the early 1930s.

 

I was lucky to traverse both - the first on a service train consisting of one coach hauled by a "C" class, and the second on an RPSI special in, I think, early 1975.

 

Also closed on this same day were the Claremorris - Collooney line, also host to but one goods train per day, with passenger services having ceased in 1963, and most of the North Kerry line, from Ballingrane Junction to Listowel. The latter also lost its passenger service in 1963, but a through goods train operated until 1974. In its last year or so, goods trains ran over intermittent sections, mostly Limerick - Newcastle West and Tralee - Listowel, with occasional extensions of this into Abbeyfeale. 

 

The Listowel to Tralee section would remain open, though carrying increasingly irregular traffic, for some months further, and Ballingrane to Limerick would now simply form part of the Limerick - Foynes line.

 

Now home to the birds of the air, weeds, rusted rails, trespassing farmers and the Cycling Lycra Mafia.

 

Rest in Pieces.

Edited November 3, 2020 by jhb171achil

[StephenB]

Jonathan
 

The story on the bigger of these two islands is oh so similar, including a realisation that the car is not the answer long term. Dunno about the little island but train travel in the big island is expensive!

 

Stephen

[jhb171achil]

Compared to long-distance buses it's pricier here too, though per mile not as bad as Britain.

 

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