Avoca

Avoca, Co.Wicklow, is located on the Dublin & South South Eastern's Dublin to Rosslare line between Rathdrum and Arklow. The station, opened in the line in 1863 was closed to passengers in 1964, but remained in use for excursion traffic until the late 1980s. The loop, along with a siding on the up side were removed in the late 1970s. On the up side of the station there was a small narrow gauge mineral line which ran beneath the mainline in a tunnel and carried ore to the station for onward transit by DSER trains.
The typical Dublin Wicklow & Wexford Railway station building remains on the down side along with the water tower. Part of the down platform and retaining wall also remain in situ, but the up platform is derelict. The former goods yard however has been built over, and the engine shed located beyond the road overbridge has been demolished.
In the late 1980s, 001 Class locomotive No.038 passes through the former station at Avoca with a southbound Dublin to Rosslare Harbour service. The train consists of Mk2 stock, some of which are still in original CIE Supertrain livery, while others have received the then new Irish Rail white stripes on their sides. On the left is the grass covered disused Up platform. ©Colm O'Callaghan The station building at Avocoa is a typical Dublin Wicklow & Wexford design. The modern houses behind the station are built on the former goods shed and yard. The station building at Avocoa is a typical Dublin Wicklow & Wexford design. The modern houses behind the station are built on the former goods shed and yard. This view is looking south towards Arklow from the road overbridge at Avoca Station. Just beyond the trees on the right was loading bank which connected to a 2ft gauge mineral line, which ran to a copper and lead mine in the Avoca Valley, it had closed down by the 1920s.
The stone built DWWR water tower at the end of what was the down platform at Avoca Station. Avoca village is in the background. The water tower retains its tank, which appears more or less full in this view from the road overbridge.