Cavan and Leitrim Railway facts for kids
The Cavan and Leitrim Railway was a special type of narrow-gauge railway in northwest Ireland. It ran through Leitrim and Cavan from 1887 until 1959.
This railway was unusual because it survived for a long time by carrying coal from the Arigna coal mine. Most other narrow-gauge lines in Ireland didn't last as long. The Cavan and Leitrim Railway even used some engines from other railways that had closed down.
Contents
Building the Railway
The idea for the railway came from the Earl of Kingston of Kilronan Castle. He wanted to help the area become more successful. In 1883, people met in Ballinamore and decided that a light railway would help transport coal and iron from Arigna and Lough Allen.
A company called the Cavan, Leitrim & Roscommon Light Railway & Tramway Company was set up. It had a lot of money to start, and the Earl of Kingston was its chairman.
Where Did the Trains Go?
The main railway line was about 54 kilometers (34 miles) long. It connected Dromod and Belturbet. There was also a 24-kilometer (15-mile) branch line from Ballinamore to Arigna.
The line from Belturbet to Dromod passed through many towns. These included Ballyconnell, Bawnboy Road, Ballinamore, Mohill, and Dereen.
The branch line from Belturbet to Arigna went through Ballinamore. From there, it continued through places like Drumshanbo to reach Arigna.
The Railway's Final Years
In 1925, the Cavan and Leitrim Railway joined a bigger company called the Great Southern Railways. All the railway lines were eventually closed in 1959.
The Engines of the Line
When the railway first opened, it had eight steam engines. They were built by a company called Robert Stephenson and Company. A ninth engine arrived in 1904 from the same builder.
Later, after the railway became part of the Great Southern Railways, some engines were renumbered. In 1933, four engines from the Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway were moved to the Cavan and Leitrim line.
Even more engines came from the Tralee and Dingle Light Railway between 1941 and 1958. These included different types of steam engines from companies like Hunslet Engine Company and Kerr Stuart.
Keeping the History Alive
Today, the Cavan & Leitrim Railway is a privately owned heritage railway. It is based at the old Dromod Station in County Leitrim.
There is a transport museum there. You can see narrow-gauge trains, old buses, planes, fire engines, and even artillery guns from World War I and World War II.
Volunteers help to run trains on a short part of the line. A steam locomotive named "Nancy" was rebuilt and started running again in 2019. Another steam engine, 'Dromad', is currently being worked on.
One of the original engines, No. 2, and an original carriage are kept at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Another engine, No. 3 'Lady Edith', is in a museum in New Jersey, United States. People are trying to bring it back to Ireland.
See also
- List of heritage railways in the Republic of Ireland
