Loughrea branch line

The Loughrea branch line was a railway line that opened in 1890 and closed in 1975. The 9 mile single track branch ran from the Attymon Junction on the Dublin to Galway main line and terminated at Loughrea. Dunsandle was the single intermediate stop. It was the last rural branch line to survive.[1]

Loughrea branch line
The 15:30 from Attymon Junction approaches Lynchfort level crossing near Loughrea on 10 October 1975
Overview
Other name(s)	Attymon & Loughrea Light Railway
Status	Ceased operation
Owner	Midland Great Western Railway Great Southern Railways Córas Iompair Éireann
Locale	County Galway, Ireland 53.26615°N 8.60452°W  (Dunsandle station line midpoint)
Termini	Attymon Junction Loughrea
Stations	3
Service
Type	Heavy rail
System	Córas Iompair Éireann
Operator(s)	Midland Great Western Railway Great Southern Railways Córas Iompair Éireann
History
Opened	1890
Closed	1975
Technical
Line length	8.75 miles (14.08 km)
Number of tracks	Single track
Character	Secondary
Track gauge	1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Irish gauge
Electrification	Not electrified
Route map Loughrea branch line Attymon Junction Dublin-Galway Main Line to Galway — to Athlone & Dublin Dunsandle Loughrea

Services

The branch had five round trip passenger services at its peak in 1895. Many would be mixed passenger and freight.[1]

Locomotives and Rolling Stock

Steam Era

Pictures exist of 2-4-0 and 0-6-0 engines in use on the branch.

Dieselisation Era

The branch was normally operated by a CIE 611 Class with a single passenger coach. When that locomotive was unavailable for servicing or maintenance a CIE 201 Class Metropolitan-Vickers or a CIE 141 Class would normally substitute. Exceptionally a CIE 001 Class could be used.[2]

References

1. Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland – An illustrated History. Midland Publishing Limited. pp. 43, 44, 67, 70, 118. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
2. Bridge, Albert. "The Attymon Jct - Loughrea railway :: Shared Description". Geograph. Retrieved 6 November 2017.