The Strabane and Letterkenny Railway was a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railway line between Strabane, County Tyrone and Letterkenny, County Donegal in Ireland.[1]
 Illustrated seal of the Strabane and Letterkenny Railway. | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Current operator | County Donegal Railways Joint Committee |
| Stations called at | 9 |
| Headquarters | Strabane |
| Key people | Henry Forbes, Bernard L. Curran |
| Dates of operation | 1 May 1906–10 July 1971 |
| Successor | CIÉ |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 3 ft (914 mm) |
| Length | 19.25 miles (30.98 km) |
History
editThe County Donegal Railways Joint Committee (CDRJC) constructed the Strabane and Letterkenny Railway. It opened for public service on 1 January 1909[2] with a route length of 19.25 miles. It was the last railway constructed by the CDRJC bringing the network operated by this company to 121 miles.
The company pioneered the use of diesel operated railcars, but despite this innovation, closure came at the end of 1959, and the railway was shut to passengers on 1 January 1960.[3]
The line was used heavily by freight traffic between the market town of Letterkenny and Strabane. Special freight services continued into 1960 until the line was lifted.
The company continued to exist until 10 July 1971 when it was nationalised along with the County Donegal Railways Joint Committee by CIÉ.[4]
Stations
editAll stations were opened on 1 January 1909 and closed on 1 January 1960 unless stated.[5]
| Distance in miles (km) | Station | Notes | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 miles (0 km) | Strabane | Opened 16 July 1894. | 54°49′50″N 7°28′13″W / 54.830478°N 7.470319°W |
| 1.0 mile (1.6 km) | Lifford halt | 54°50′11″N 7°28′44″W / 54.83631°N 7.47886°W | |
| 2.75 miles (4.43 km) | Ballindrait | 54°50′49″N 7°31′10″W / 54.847034°N 7.519409°W | |
| 4.75 miles (7.64 km) | Coolaghy halt | Opened 1911. | |
| 6.5 miles (10.5 km) | Raphoe | 54°52′14″N 7°36′03″W / 54.870552°N 7.600758°W | |
| 9.0 miles (14.5 km) | Convoy | ||
| 11.0 miles (17.7 km) | Cornagillagh halt | ||
| 13.75 miles (22.13 km) | Glenmaquin | ||
| 19.25 miles (30.98 km) | Letterkenny | Connection with Letterkenny (LLSR). | 54°57′13″N 7°43′43″W / 54.953697°N 7.728593°W |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Johnson's Atlas & Gazetteer of the Railways of Ireland, Stephen Johnson, Midland Publishing Limited, 1997, ISBN 1-85780-044-3
- ^ Patterson, Edward M. (1962). The County Donegal Railways (1972 ed.). Pan Books. p. 57. ISBN 0-7153-4376-9.
- ^ Patterson, Edward M. (1962). The County Donegal Railways (1972 ed.). Pan Books. p. 98. ISBN 0-7153-4376-9.
- ^ "Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1971". Irish Statue Book. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Patterson, Edward M. (1962). The County Donegal Railways (1972 ed.). Pan Books. p. 193. ISBN 0-7153-4376-9.