Stradbally Woodland Railway

The Stradbally Woodland Railway is a 1km (0.62 mile) long single-track 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge railway line at Stradbally Hall in Stradbally, County Laois in Ireland.

Andrew Barclay steam locomotive No.2 LM44 in the new locomotive shed
Hibberd (Planet) diesel locomotive named 'Nippy' is started by a crank

Location

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The Stradbally Woodland Railway is located in the fenced-off grounds of Stradbally Hall near Stradbally fire station. The line is open to the public on bank holiday weekend Sundays and Mondays from March to August and on selected other spring and summer dates dates. Full details on the railway's operating days can be found on the society's website at irishsteam.net.

History

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This narrow gauge railway is the oldest established heritage railway in Ireland. It is operated and managed by the Irish Steam Preservation Society. It was constructed in stages between 1969 and 1982 entirely by voluntary labour, many of the volunteers being full-time permanent-way workers from Córas Iompair Éireann, now Iarnród Éireann.[1][2]

Locomotives

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Locomotive Builder Year Works Number Photo Propulsion Status Former Owner Former Location
No.2/LM44 'Róisín' Andrew Barclay 1949 2264   Steam Operational Bord na Mona Clonsast, County Offaly
15 William Spence, Dublin 1895 Steam Static Exhibit Guinness St James' Gate, Dublin
4/Rusty Ruston & Hornsby 1952 326052   Lister HR6 Operational Electricity Supply Board Portarlington, County Laois
Nippy FC Hibberd (Planet) 1936 2014   National Engine Co Operational Mines & Safety Research Buxton, England
(4) Ruston & Hornsby 1950 300518   Lister HR6 Awaiting Restoration Electricity Supply Board Allenwood, County Kildare
LM167 Ruston & Hornsby 1956 402978   Gardner 4LW Stored, serviceable Bord na Mona Coolnamona, County Laois
LM317 Simplex Mechanical Handling 1980 60SL742   Lister HR4 Stored, serviceable Bord na Mona Coolnamona, County Laois

See also

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References

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  1. ^ myPOIs: About Stradbally Narrow Gauge Railway.
  2. ^ Irish Steam Preservation Society: Narrow Gauge Railway.
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  Media related to Stradbally Woodland Railway at Wikimedia Commons

53°01′02″N 7°09′15″W / 53.017148°N 7.154136°W / 53.017148; -7.154136