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Strabane and Letterkenny Railway

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Strabane and Letterkenny Railway
Illustrated seal of the Strabane and Letterkenny Railway.
Overview
Current operatorCounty Donegal Railways Joint Committee
Stations called at9
HeadquartersStrabane
Key peopleHenry Forbes, Bernard L. Curran
Dates of operation1 May 1906–10 July 1971
SuccessorCIÉ
Technical
Track gauge3 ft (914 mm)
Length19.25 miles (30.98 km)

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]

History

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The 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]

Railway Clearing House map with stations in Strabane and Letterkenny

Stations

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All 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 / 54.830478; -7.470319
1.0 mile (1.6 km) Lifford halt 54°50′11″N 7°28′44″W / 54.83631°N 7.47886°W / 54.83631; -7.47886
2.75 miles (4.43 km) Ballindrait 54°50′49″N 7°31′10″W / 54.847034°N 7.519409°W / 54.847034; -7.519409
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 / 54.870552; -7.600758
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 / 54.953697; -7.728593

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Johnson's Atlas & Gazetteer of the Railways of Ireland, Stephen Johnson, Midland Publishing Limited, 1997, ISBN 1-85780-044-3
  2. ^ Patterson, Edward M. (1962). The County Donegal Railways (1972 ed.). Pan Books. p. 57. ISBN 0-7153-4376-9.
  3. ^ Patterson, Edward M. (1962). The County Donegal Railways (1972 ed.). Pan Books. p. 98. ISBN 0-7153-4376-9.
  4. ^ "Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1971". Irish Statue Book. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  5. ^ Patterson, Edward M. (1962). The County Donegal Railways (1972 ed.). Pan Books. p. 193. ISBN 0-7153-4376-9.