Attymon Station, Co.Galway, is a shadow of its former self, now reduced to just one single platform. Previously though Attymon boasted a loop, turntable, sidings and was the junction for the 1890 built Loughrea branch. The Loughrea branch was 9 miles long and closed completely in 1975. The track remained in place until the mid 1980s and was hoped to become a preserved railway by the West of Ireland Steam Railway Association, a company long since disappeared. Sadly the track was lifted and Attymon ceased to be a block post in 1988. The footbridge and cabin was demolished in 1989 and the station building, which still stands is now boarded up. The Loughrea and up platforms, water tower, turntable and goods shed are derelict. The down platform however has been renewed following CTC upgrading on the Galway line, and a new access road has been constructed on the former Loughrea branch at the station. Also shown are two level crossings south of Attymon at Killimor and Raford on the closed branch line.
1 201 Class locomotive No.225 in 'Intercity' livery races through the deserted Attymon Station with a Mk3 pushpull train from Dublin to Galway.
2 Another view of 225, this time from the former up platform. The loco which appears not long out of the paintshop in its smart silver & green livery.
3 A Galway to Dublin service approaches Attymon Station at speed. On the right can be seen the former goods shed, now derelict.
4 201 Class loco No.210 in Irish Rail's orange livery heads through Attymon Station with a rake of Mk3 coaches, some of which include the dedicated Galway line set (second coach in the train set).
5 This is the single storey brick built station building at Attymon, dating from the 1870s. The greenery here neatly fills in the 'V' of the junction station.
6 This is the small derelict goods shed at Attymon, located at the west end of the station on the up side. Goods traffic ceased using it in the late 1970s.
8 This is the east end of Attymon Station, with the main line to Galway on the right. To the left can be seen the trackbed of the former branch to Loughrea.
10 The former Loughrea branch platform as it was in 2002. The branch closed in 1975, although a section of track remained in situ here until Attymon ceased to be block post in 1988.
11 A few years later at Attymon, the old platform remains although a new roadway, seen on the left, has been constructed on the former trackbed.
12 Looking the opposite way at the former Loughrea branch platform at Attymon Station. Note the platform lamps and part of the wooden fencing remains.
15 In 2002 the disused Attymon branch platform makes a peaceful setting in this rural backwater of Co.Galway. Unfortunately the signal cabin did not survive and was demolished shortly after the station ceased to be block post in 1988.
18 This is the view from the end of the branch platform at Attymon Station, looking towards Loughrea, with the newly constructed road on the former trackbed.
21 The Midland Great Western stone built water tower at Attymon Station, complete with rusted tank.
22 The turntable was regularly used for the steam locos operating on the Loughrea branch until around 1962, from when diesel traction took over.
23 Closer view of the turntable at Attymon, showing the lever which locked the table in place.
24 What was the former waiting shelter on the up platform at Attymon Station, now filled in with floral displays.
25 One of the 1980s Irish Rail 'T' board signs at Attymon, complete with IE plug & socket logos applied. In the background is the Loughrea branch platform.
26 A modern IE nameboard at Attymon Station. Depsite the modernisation, the station only sees a sparse service.
27 This is Killimor level crossing, the first road level crossing south of Attymon on the closed 1975 Loughrea branch. The gate keepers house is on the right, and this view is looking north towards Attymon.
28 North of Killimor LC is this concrete footbridge which spans the former Loughrea branch in a cutting.
29 The cutting at Killimor from the concete footbridge looking south towards Loughrea, showing the somewhat waterlogged trackbed, resulting from poor drainage here. Spot the intact semaphore signal on the left.
31 Looking north towards Attymon from the footbridge at Killimor in March 2008, the section north of the bridge is quite overgrown.
32 The intact semaphore signal at the cutting on the approach to Killimor level crossing south of Attymon.
33 Raford level crossing, the second road level crossing south of Attymon (on the R348 road). The derelict keepers house remains, but the crossing gates and posts have long since been removed.
34 The trackbed at Raford level crossing looking north towards Attymon. On the left is the remains of the former pedestrian crossing.
