Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway
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The Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway (CB&SCR) was an Irish gauge (Template:RailGauge) railway in Ireland. It opened in 1849 as the Cork and Bandon Railway (C&BR), changed its name to Cork Bandon and South Coast Railway in 1888 and became part of the Great Southern Railway (GSR) in 1924.
The CB&SCR served the south coast of County Cork between Cork and Bantry. It had a route length of Script error: No such module "convert".,Template:Sfn all of it single track. Many road car routes connected with the line, including the route from Bantry to Killarney.
Following absorption into the GSR and the network could be referred to as the West Cork RailwaysTemplate:Efn or variations thereof, this also encompassing the former previously independent Cork and Macroom Direct Railway and the Timoleague and Courtmacsherry Railway.Template:Sfn
History
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The Cork and Bandon Railway was formed by the <templatestyles src="Template:Visible anchor/styles.css" />Cork and Bandon Railway Act 1845 (8 & 9 Vict. c. cxxii) and began operations on the Script error: No such module "convert". from Bandon to Ballinhassig from 1 August 1849,Template:Sfn 25 seat horse omnibuses being used for transfers to and from Cork City.Template:Sfn The Script error: No such module "convert". section from Ballinhassig to Cork opened to public services on 1 December 1851.Template:Sfn The C&BR was financially challenged after by building the Bandon to Cork section which had some costly overruns and future extensions to the network were undertaken by independent companies some of which operated their own services for a number years.Template:Sfn
Extensions to the railway
The Cork and Kinsale Junction Railway (C&KJR) company built the first extension to the railway to the port of Template:Rws which opened in 1863 and was operated by the C&BR from the outset. The Script error: No such module "convert". branch left the main line some Script error: No such module "convert". from Cork at a station simply called Template:Rws and was notable for some long 1-in-76 and 1-in-80 gradients. The C&BR completed purchase of the line from the C&KJR on 1 January 1880.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The West Cork Railway (WCR) was formed by the <templatestyles src="Template:Visible anchor/styles.css" />West Cork Railways Act 1860 (23 & 24 Vict. c. cciii) with the intention of extending the line to Skibbereen, the C&BR being in favour of such an extension but without the ability to raise the capital itself. The WCR opened the Script error: No such module "convert". section from Bandon to Template:Rws in June 1866 and operated the section itself hiring in rolling stock and locomotives from elsewhere. There were ongoing tensions between the WCR and C&BR especially at Template:Rws with independent stations and goods transfer disputes. The WCR itself was unable to resource the building of the Script error: No such module "convert". Dunmanway to Skibbereen section which was completed by the Ilen Valley Railway (IVR) opening in 1877. Following arbitration, the section was worked by the WCR. The operating situation agreed to was resolved on 1 January 1880 by running the network under a single operational management, the C&BR leasing the IVR until absorbing it in the <templatestyles src="Template:Visible anchor/styles.css" />Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway Act 1909 (9 Edw. 7. c. xxxii) whilst concluding terms to absorb the WCR in October 1882.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
12 May 1866 saw the opening of the independently operated Cork and Macroom Direct Railway (C&MDR) which initially used the Template:Rws terminus before almost immediately branching off on a Script error: No such module "convert". line to Template:Rws. Toll charges and sharing difficulties led to C&MDR to use its own newly built terminus at Template:Rws from 27 September 1879 with the connection C&BR severed soon thereafter.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
The IVR completed an Script error: No such module "convert". branch from Template:Rws to Bantry which it leased to the C&BR to operate from 1 July 1881.Template:Sfn
In 1886 Skibbereen became an interchange with the Template:RailGauge narrow gauge Schull and Skibbereen Railway.Template:Sfn
Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The <templatestyles src="Template:Visible anchor/styles.css" />Clonakilty Extension Railway (from Clonakilty Junction), Script error: No such module "convert"., authorised by <templatestyles src="Template:Visible anchor/styles.css" />Clonakilty Extension Railway Act 1881 (44 & 45 Vict. c. ccxvi), opened on 24 August 1886 and was operated by the C&BR.Template:Sfn A Script error: No such module "convert". long siding for a flour mill owned by the Bennett family at Shannonvale about Script error: No such module "convert". north of Clonakilty was notable for being horse-operated. The siding was created in 1887 and extended to the mill shortly thereafter and remained horse operated until closure in 1961.Template:Sfn Horse traction was used uphill, and trains were worked by gravity downhill.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". On 21 September 1887 a draft bill was submitted to the company's board. The draft would give the C&BR powers to construct a Script error: No such module "convert". line to avoid Gogginshill Tunnel, at an estimated cost of £10,702. Other powers to be granted included a connecting line to the Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway, extensions to Cork's quays, and closure of the Gas Works level crossing. Cork Corporation objected to the quay line and level crossing closure, and the connection to the Cork, Blackrock and Passage was defeated. The <templatestyles src="Template:Visible anchor/styles.css" />Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway Act 1888 (51 & 52 Vict. c. lxxxvii) passed on 5 July, changing the name of the C&BR to the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway (CB&SCR). Powers to build the line avoiding Gogginshill Tunnel were granted in this act of Parliament, but the line was never built.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
The Timoleague and Courtmacsherry Railway opened and operated as a Script error: No such module "convert". independent branch from Template:Rws on the Template:Rws branch with stations at Template:Rws, Template:Rws and terminated at the seaside village at Template:Rws.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
22 October 1892 saw the opening of an extension of the Bantry branch by Script error: No such module "convert". by another company, the Bantry Extension Railway, through to the pier at Bantry Bay, the CB&SCR again leasing the line.Template:Sfn Direct passenger services onto the pier were introduced in 1908 to connect with Bantry Bay steamers. These services ceased in 1936 and the pier was dismantled in 1949.Template:Sfn
An Script error: No such module "convert". extension from Template:Rws to Template:Rws by the <templatestyles src="Template:Visible anchor/styles.css" />Baltimore Extension Railway was operated by the CB&SCR from May 1893. Baltimore was a port on the southernmost extent of Ireland and increased the length of the CB&SCR to Script error: No such module "convert"..Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
1 January 1912 saw Cork City Railways creating a connection between the CB&SCR and the rest of the Irish rail network by running a road tramway across the road bridges over the River Lee from immediately before Template:Rws across to the Great Southern and Western Railway at Glanmire Road.Template:Sfn
The CB&SCR was subject to various damaging incidents during the 1922—1923 Irish Civil War, the most damaging to the railway being the partial destruction of the Chetwynd Viaduct on 9 August 1922. Passenger services were restored between Cork and Bandon on 20 February 1923, with full service across the network being restored on 23 May.Template:Sfn
GSR and CIÉ years
The CB&SCR, Great Southern and Western Railway, and Midland Great Western Railway were amalgamated into the Great Southern Railway (GSR) in 1924. It then amalgamated with the Dublin and South Eastern Railway to form the Great Southern Railways in 1925, absorbing the smaller railways within the Irish Free State.Template:Sfn An early action of the new combined management was to re-instate the connection between the former CB&SCR and C&MDR railways so the line from Template:Rws could use the terminus at Template:Rws to achieve some operating economies.Template:Sfn
Due to mounting losses the Kinsale branch was closed on 31 August 1931. A parliamentary question asked in February 1934 sought to prevent the line from being lifted, but the relevant minister lacked the power to do so. The line was fully lifted that summer. The junction station remained open, being renamed Crossbarry in October 1936.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn
The GSR was consolidated into Córas Iompair Éireann in 1945.
CIÉ introduced AEC railcars to the railway in 1954.Template:Sfn
Closure
Due to economic problems, competition from road traffic and falling passenger numbers, the line closed on 1 April 1961.[1] The planned closure of the railway network met with strong local opposition, including the establishment of the West Cork Railways Association. At a meeting of Cork County Council's Southern Committee on 3 October 1960, councillors were very critical of CIÉ's running of the line.[2]
A report published by a local pressure group in 2022 suggested that the railway in West Cork could feasibly return.[3] This suggestion was rejected by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan. [4]
Route
The system was completely built as single track with passing facilities provided at most stations. As a condition of loans from the Board of Works some infrastructure on the main line was built to accommodate later conversion to double track, this had implications for costs particularly at Gogginshill Tunnel.Template:Sfn
Rocksavage worksScript error: No such module "anchor".
The Rocksavage works and yard serviced the CB&SCR rolling stock and was situated at the south end of the site encompassing the Template:Rws terminus complex. The works built a single locomotive, the 4-4-0TTemplate:Whyte suffix CB&SCR No. 7/GSR No. 478 in 1901 that was composed mostly of parts salvaged from other locomotives. On amalgamation to the GSR in 1925 major repair work was transferred to Inchicore with Rocksavage being used for light repairs.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Major infrastructure
Chetwynd Viaduct
The Chetwynd Viaduct carried the line over a valley and the main Bandon road (now the N71) between the townlands of Chetwynd and Rochfordstown about Script error: No such module "convert". southwest of Cork city.[5] It was designed by Charles Nixon (a former pupil of I.K. Brunel),Script error: No such module "Unsubst". and built between 1849 and 1851 by Fox, Henderson and Co, which also built the Crystal Palace in London.Template:Sfn
The Script error: No such module "convert". cast iron ribs were cast on site. When in situ they had transverse diagonal bracing and lattice spandrels that supported a deck of iron plates. These in turn supported the permanent way. The viaduct is Script error: No such module "convert". high, has four Script error: No such module "convert". spans, each span composed of four cast iron arched ribs, carried on masonry piers Script error: No such module "convert". thick and Script error: No such module "convert". wide. The overall span between end abutments is Script error: No such module "convert"..Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The structure was seriously damaged in the Irish Civil War in 1922, but was subsequently repaired.Template:Sfn It was in regular use until the line was closed in 1961, though "recovery" trains continued to use it during the dismantling of the line until at least 1965. The bulk of the decking was in place as late as 1970, other than at the ends, but this was all subsequently removed for safety reasons.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Gogginshill Tunnel
The Gogginshill Tunnel near Ballinhassig in County Cork, was constructed between February 1850 and December 1851 by 300 men working day and night.Template:Sfn There are three ventilation shafts and the tunnel is lined with brick, which was added between 1889 and 1890 after some minor collapses of the rock face.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
It is the longest abandoned railway tunnel within the Republic of Ireland, measuring Template:Cvt end to end.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Halfway Viaduct
The viaduct is located at Halfway, between Innishannon and Ballinhassig, about Template:Cvt above the valley floor. It is a three arch viaduct of masonry construction.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Kilpatrick Tunnel
The Kilpatrick (Innishannon) tunnel is Template:Cvt in length and located less than Template:Cvt west of Inishannon, just before the River Bandon crossing.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".Template:Efn
Services
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Passenger services on the C&BR and CB&SCR were of low frequency with most routes seeing up to a handful of trains each way a most, with connections being of poor quality at times.Template:Sfn
Regular diesel railcar operations began on the Cork to Template:Rws service from 28 May 1954 and permitted a reduction in journey time of 38 minutes. Railcars and the 550 hp C-Class diesel locomotives had replaced steam on all but a freight service to Template:Rws by July 1957. The large A class locomotives were used on 2 trial runs, one going to Template:Rws and another going to Template:Rws.Template:Sfn
1948 Timetable
On the right is the Cork to Bantry passenger timetable that was operational from 1948 until the closure in 1961. A few points may be noted from it:
- Travel time was about 2 hours. In 2008, a car journey (without the nine intermittent stops) is less than 30 minutes faster, according to the AA website.
- It was not possible to make a same-day return journey from Bandon to Dublin as the Cork express train left at 9:00 am (arriving at 12:00 pm) and departed at 2:25 pm from Heuston (which would have allowed the 6:00 pm connection to Bandon to be made though).
Rolling stock
Following the 1924 grouping the Great Southern Railway inherited 20 locomotives from the CB&SCR.[6]Template:Sfn At some point the CB&SCR was recorded as having 68 coaching vehicles and 455 goods vehicles.
Locomotives
Over 40 steam locomotives were used by the C&BR/CB&SCR, mostly of the tank variety though some early examples had tenders. The most notable are generally considered to be the 4-6-0T Bandon Tanks build by Beyer, Peacock & Company between 1908 and 1920. Also of note are two Baldwin locomotives, the 0-6-2ST design of 1900 being the only instance of steam locomotives supplied from America to Ireland.Template:Sfn
Livery
The locomotives and carriages were various shades of olive green often with yellow lining.[6]
See also
References
Notes
Footnotes
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Sources and further reading
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- Hume, Robert,"The mystery crash of the West Cork train that never reached Dunmanway", Southern Star 13 May 2017, p.9
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- O'Donovan, Daniel, On removal of Bantry line Durrus, Bantry, (oral history)Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
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External links
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