Loughrea branch line

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
StatusCeased operation
OwnerMidland Great Western Railway
Great Southern Railways
Córas Iompair Éireann
LocaleCounty Galway, Ireland
53°15′58″N 8°36′16″W / 53.26615°N 8.60452°W / 53.26615; -8.60452  (Dunsandle station line midpoint)
Termini
Stations3
Service
TypeHeavy rail
SystemCóras Iompair Éireann
Operator(s)Midland Great Western Railway
Great Southern Railways
Córas Iompair Éireann
History
Opened1890
Closed1975
Technical
Line length8 miles 75 chains (14.4 km)[1]
Number of tracksSingle track
CharacterSecondary
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Irish gauge
ElectrificationNot electrified
Route map
Loughrea branch line
Attymon Junction
Dublin-Galway Main Line
Left arrow to Galway — to Athlone & Dublin Right arrow
Dunsandle
Loughrea

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 in Ireland.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference JAGRI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ 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.