County Donegal Railways Joint Committee
Encyclopedia
The County Donegal Railways Joint Committee operated an extensive 3 foot gauge railway system serving county Donegal, Ireland
,from 1906 until 1960. The committee was incorporated by an Act of Parliament
in 1906, which authorised the joint purchase of the then Donegal Railway Company by the Great Northern Railway of Ireland
and the Midland Railway
Northern Counties Committee
.
In 1892 the two railways were combined to form the Donegal Railway Company, and the standard-gauge section was converted to narrow gauge. Further extensions followed, when a Government grant of £300,000 allowed the Company to build lines between:
and the following extensions were built subsequently:
The total mileage was now 106 miles (170.6 km); on 1 May 1906, the Joint Committee was set up. With the addition of a new line from Strabane to Letterkenny
, 19 miles (30 km), (stations: Strabane, Lifford
, Ballindrait, Coolaghy, Raphoe, Convoy, Corngillagh, Glanmaquin and Letterkenny) opened on 1 January 1909, the final total mileage was 121 miles (194.7 km).
. The first diesel railcar was built in 1930 (the first diesel railcar anywhere in the British Isles
), although two further petrol-engined railcars were built before standardisation on diesel traction in 1934. Eight articulated diesel railcars were constructed by Walker Brothers
of Wigan
between 1934 and 1951, by which time virtually all passenger services were operated by diesel railcar. The railcars were capable of hauling trailers or freight wagons. A diesel locomotive named Phoenix (converted from a steam locomotive) was also used.
On closure at the end of 1959, the two most modern diesel railcars were sold to the Isle of Man Railway
.
branch closed in 1947, the Strabane-Derry line closed in 1954 and the rest of the passenger services ended on 31 December 1959. Much of the railway was closed completely on 16 February 1960.
The Donegal Railway Centre
has been established and contains historic details and artefacts of the CDRJC.
St. Connell's Museum, in Glenties
has an extensive display of items from the railway.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
,from 1906 until 1960. The committee was incorporated by an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
in 1906, which authorised the joint purchase of the then Donegal Railway Company by the Great Northern Railway of Ireland
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
and the Midland Railway
Midland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
Northern Counties Committee
Northern Counties Committee
The Northern Counties Committee was a railway that served the north-east of Ireland. It was built to Irish gauge but later acquired a number of narrow gauge lines...
.
History of the Donegal Railways
The lines controlled by the Joint Committee were:- The Finn ValleyRiver FinnThe River Finn is a river that flows through County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. It rises in Lough Finn in County Donegal and flows east through a deep mountain valley to Ballybofey and Stranorlar and on to the confluence with the River Mourne at Lifford...
Railway (FVR). This was the first railway in County DonegalCounty DonegalCounty Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, running 14 miles (22.5 km) from StrabaneStrabaneStrabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
– on the Londonderry and Enniskillen RailwayLondonderry and Enniskillen RailwayThe Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway was an Irish gauge railway in Ireland.-Construction and opening:The Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway was incorporated in 1845. Construction began at Derry and followed the west bank of the River Foyle southwards to Strabane, which was reached in 1847...
(L&ER) (later part of the Great Northern Railway of Ireland) – to StranorlarStranorlarStranorlar is a small town in the Finn Valley of County Donegal, in Ireland. Stranorlar and Ballybofey form the Twin Towns.-Transport:...
. Built to Irish gaugeIrish gaugeIrish gauge railways use a track gauge of . It is used in* Ireland * Australia where it is also known as Victorian Broad Gauge* Brazil where it is also known as Bitola larga no Brasil....
, it opened on 7 September 1863, with the L&ER supplying the rolling stock. (Original stations: StrabaneStrabaneStrabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
, Clady, Castlefin, Liscooly, Killygordon, CavanCavanCavan is the county town of County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland. The town lies in the north central part of Ireland, near the border with Northern Ireland...
, Town Bridge and StranorlarStranorlarStranorlar is a small town in the Finn Valley of County Donegal, in Ireland. Stranorlar and Ballybofey form the Twin Towns.-Transport:...
). - The West Donegal Railway: a narrow-gauge extension to the FVR 18 miles (29 km) in length from StranorlarStranorlarStranorlar is a small town in the Finn Valley of County Donegal, in Ireland. Stranorlar and Ballybofey form the Twin Towns.-Transport:...
to DonegalDonegalDonegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
(stations: StranorlarStranorlarStranorlar is a small town in the Finn Valley of County Donegal, in Ireland. Stranorlar and Ballybofey form the Twin Towns.-Transport:...
, Derg Bridge, Barnesmore, Lough EskeLough EskeLough Eske or Lough Eask is a small lake in County Donegal, in the northwest of Ireland. The lake lies to the northeast of Donegal Town, to which it is connected by the River Eske...
, Clar Bridge and Donegal TownDonegalDonegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
)
In 1892 the two railways were combined to form the Donegal Railway Company, and the standard-gauge section was converted to narrow gauge. Further extensions followed, when a Government grant of £300,000 allowed the Company to build lines between:
- Stranorlar and GlentiesGlentiesGlenties is a village in the northwest of Ireland in central County Donegal. It is situated where two glens meet, northwest of the Blue Stack Mountains, near the confluence of two rivers. Glenties is the largest centre of population in the parish of Iniskeel...
24 miles (38.6 km), opened 1895 (station: Stranorlar, Ballybofey, Glenmore, Cloghan, Ballinamore, Fintown, Shallogans and Glenties) - Donegal TownDonegalDonegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
to KillybegsKillybegsKillybegs is the largest fishing port in County Donegal and in Ireland. It is located on the south coast of the county, north of Donegal Bay, near Donegal Town. The town is situated at the head of a scenic harbour and at the base of a vast mountainous tract extending northward...
19 miles (30.6 km), opened 1893 (station: Donegal TownDonegalDonegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
, Killymard, MountcharlesMountcharlesMountcharles, known before the Plantation of Ulster as Tawnaghtallan , is a village in County Donegal, Ireland...
, Doorin Road, InverInverInver is a village in County Donegal, Ireland. It lies on the N56 National secondary road mid-way between Killybegs to the west and Donegal Town to the east. Inver has an excellent football pitch and a club called Eany Celtic...
, Port, DunkineelyDunkineelyDunkineely is a small village in County Donegal in North West Ireland. It is situated 11 miles from the town of Donegal and 6 miles from Killybegs on the N56 National secondary road. It is a small single street village with a population of around 300 in its surroundings. There is a dun on the edge...
, BrucklessBrucklessBruckless is a small village in Southwest Donegal, Ireland, with a population of around 200. It lies on the N56 national secondary road which links it to Donegal Town 20 km east and to Killybegs 7 km west. The village overlooks McSwyne's Bay, an inlet in Donegal Bay. Bruckless is part of...
, Ardara Road and KillybegsKillybegsKillybegs is the largest fishing port in County Donegal and in Ireland. It is located on the south coast of the county, north of Donegal Bay, near Donegal Town. The town is situated at the head of a scenic harbour and at the base of a vast mountainous tract extending northward...
)
and the following extensions were built subsequently:
- StrabaneStrabaneStrabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
to DerryDerryDerry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
14 miles (22.5 km), opened 1901 (station: StrabaneStrabaneStrabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
, BallymagorryBallymagorryBallymagorry or Ballymagory is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is west of Artigarvan and north of Strabane. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 565...
, Ballyheather, Donemana, Cullion, New BuildingsNewbuildingsNewbuildings or New Buildings is a large village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies about 1 km from the banks of the River Foyle and 5 km south of the city of Derry...
and Derry Victoria Road) - Donegal TownDonegalDonegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
to BallyshannonBallyshannonBallyshannon is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. It is located where the N3 and N15 cross the River Erne, and claims to be the oldest town in Ireland.-Location:...
16 miles (25.7 km), opened 1903 (Station: Donegal TownDonegalDonegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
, Drumbar, LagheyLagheyLaghey, officially Laghy , is a small village in County Donegal, Ireland, between Ballintra and Donegal Town. Laghey is one of three villages that makes up the parish of Drumholm, formerly a Civil and Church of Ireland parish, now only used as a division of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raphoe...
, Bridgetown, Ballintra, Rossnowlagh, Creevy and Ballyshannon)
The total mileage was now 106 miles (170.6 km); on 1 May 1906, the Joint Committee was set up. With the addition of a new line from Strabane to Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
, 19 miles (30 km), (stations: Strabane, Lifford
Lifford
Lifford is the county town of County Donegal, Ireland. It is the administrative capital of the county and the seat of Donegal County Council, although the town of Letterkenny is often mistaken for fulfilling this role...
, Ballindrait, Coolaghy, Raphoe, Convoy, Corngillagh, Glanmaquin and Letterkenny) opened on 1 January 1909, the final total mileage was 121 miles (194.7 km).
Dieselisation
During the 1930s the County Donegal Railways became pioneers in the use of diesel tractionDieselisation
Dieselisation or dieselization is a term generally used for the increasingly common use of diesel fuel in vehicles, as opposed to gasoline or steam engines.-Water Transport:...
. The first diesel railcar was built in 1930 (the first diesel railcar anywhere in the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
), although two further petrol-engined railcars were built before standardisation on diesel traction in 1934. Eight articulated diesel railcars were constructed by Walker Brothers
Walker Brothers
Walker Bros. is a series of pancake houses in the Chicago area.They developed as a franchised spin-off of The Original Pancake House, founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke; the Walker Bros. version has been in business for over 45 years...
of Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
between 1934 and 1951, by which time virtually all passenger services were operated by diesel railcar. The railcars were capable of hauling trailers or freight wagons. A diesel locomotive named Phoenix (converted from a steam locomotive) was also used.
On closure at the end of 1959, the two most modern diesel railcars were sold to the Isle of Man Railway
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
.
Statistics
Details on this, and those above, taken from Railway Year Book 1912 (Railway Publishing Company)- Locomotives and rolling stock: 21 locomotives; 56 passenger vehicles; 304 goods vehicles
- Head offices, locomotive works etc. at Stranorlar
Closure
The GlentiesGlenties
Glenties is a village in the northwest of Ireland in central County Donegal. It is situated where two glens meet, northwest of the Blue Stack Mountains, near the confluence of two rivers. Glenties is the largest centre of population in the parish of Iniskeel...
branch closed in 1947, the Strabane-Derry line closed in 1954 and the rest of the passenger services ended on 31 December 1959. Much of the railway was closed completely on 16 February 1960.
Tourist attraction
Part of the line, which runs alongside Lough Finn near Fintown, has been re-laid as a tourist railway.The Donegal Railway Centre
Donegal Railway Centre
The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre commemorates the operations of the County Donegal Railways Committee which operated two narrow gauge railways in County Donegal from 1863 until 1959. The centre, opened in 1995 and housed in the old station house in Donegal Town, was restored by the County...
has been established and contains historic details and artefacts of the CDRJC.
St. Connell's Museum, in Glenties
Glenties
Glenties is a village in the northwest of Ireland in central County Donegal. It is situated where two glens meet, northwest of the Blue Stack Mountains, near the confluence of two rivers. Glenties is the largest centre of population in the parish of Iniskeel...
has an extensive display of items from the railway.
See also
- List of narrow gauge railways in Ireland
- County Donegal Railway locomotives