Ballybrophy

Ballybrophy, Co.Laois, is located on a straight section of the Great Southern & Western Railway's Dublin to Cork main line between Portlaoise and Thurles. The station buildings are quite extensive, all been located on the up platform. They are a lesser grand style of the GSWR gothic architecture, dating from 1847, and later the 1850s. Ballybrophy is also the junction for the branch to Limerick via Nenagh, which opened in 1854. The original goods shed and water crane (on the down island platform) also survive. The GSWR footbridge was replaced recently by a modern structure with the station's recent modernisation, which also included the addition of new platform shelters, lighting and platform surfacing. Under CTC signalling in 1986, the trackwork was simplified and the signal cabin demolished, however the branch to Limerick is still operated by mechanical signalling and diverges at the north end of Ballybrophy.
The sun doesn't help at this location, Ballybrophy, as 201 Class loco No.217 heads the now vanished Cork to Dublin (North Wall) bulk cement train through the station. Following 217 is another 201 Class loco No.204, heads north through the station with a rake of Mk3 stock bound for Dublin. This is Ballybrophy Station, looking north towards Dublin. The main buildings are on the left the with original footbridge, all built by the Great Southern & Western Railway in the 1840s and 1850s. Ballybrophy, as viewed from the southern end of the station before modernisation. The station at this time retained a very vintage appearance.
This view at Ballybrophy is looking south towards Cork. There are extensive buildings on the up platform, displaying a lesser grand style of Great Southern & Western Railway architecture. Closer view of one of the many impressive station buildings to be found at Ballybrophy, this is at the northern end. Behind is the 1940s built concrete water tower. The cast iron lattice designed footbridge at Ballybrophy Station, dating from Victorian times, has since been replaced by a modern type complete with lifts. This is the main station building at Ballybrophy, following modernisation. The platforms have also received a new bricked surface. ©Jim Fogarty
This is the new footbridge at Ballybrophy Station which replaced the Victorian type. The new bridge has adjoining lifts. ©Jim Fogarty 201 Class locomotive No.231 passes through the modernised Ballybrophy with a southbound Dublin to Cork service. The station now has a neat and tidy appearance. ©Jim Fogarty The large but quiet Ballybrophy Station, as viewed from the forecourt. ©Jim Fogarty The station forecourt at Ballybrophy. A typical Great Southern & Western railway workers house is on the left.
This is the 1940s concrete built water tower, located on the up side of the station. Behind is the Signal Box Pub, now closed. The goods shed, located at the south end of Ballybrophy Station on the up side., complete with adjacent siding. ©Jim Fogarty Another view of the attractive Great Southern & Western Railway built goods shed at Ballybrophy Station, as viewed from the station forecourt. ©Jim Fogarty An unknown derelict structure at Ballybrophy Station, which is located on the down side. It was either another goods shed, or possibly the base of a large water tower, which was replaced by a more modern concrete built one. ©Jim Fogarty
This is the run round loop and bay platform at Ballybrophy Station, which serves branch trains operating to Limerick via Nenagh. The loop is no longer required as services are operated by diesel railcars. The ground lever frame at the Limerick bay platform. One of the 1980s Irish Rail shelters can be seen on the up platform, it has since been replaced by a modern type. Ballybrophy Station nameboard on the up platform, with signalling telephone beside, and the concrete water tower in the background. The rather worn looking buffer stop complete with electric red lamp, on the Limerick bay platform track
Another view of the excellent preserved water column on the down platform, which still sees use for Railway Preservation Society of Ireland steam trains, complete with hanging bucket. The former Signal Box Pub also contained a wooden posted distant semaphore sgnal, it still remains in situ today. 141 Class locomotives Nos.171+152 stand at the island platform No.2 at Ballybrophy Station on the head of an Irish Railway Record Society tour to Limerick.The pair of 141 Class locomotives are now just as historical importance as the steam locomotives which they displaced. To the left is the water column, retained after modernisation of Ballybrophy Station. 171+152 pass through Ballybrophy Station while running round the IRRS special to Limerick. The mainline tracks have recently been relaid to a high standard as seen here.
152+171 are seen running around the IRRS special to Limerick at the north end of Ballybrophy Station, having acquired a yellow aspect from the adjacent signal. Centralised Traffic Control colour light signalling replaced mecnanical signalling at Ballybrophy in 1987. Having reversed back down onto the Mk3 stock forming the IRRS special to Limerick, 171 is now seen at the head of the train at platform 2. The track serving this platform side was also relaid and generally tidied up. The IRRS headboard fitted to the lamp bracket of 141 Class 171 at Ballybrophy Station. Despite the 141 Class locomotives having electrical lighting, oil lamps were still of a feature been carried on these locos until the 1970s. The IRRS special formed of the Mk3 stock is now seen having been shunted into the Limerick bay platform at the north end of Ballybrophy, as 201 Class loco No.231 propels a Cork to Dublin express through the station, formed of pushpull Mk4 coaching stock.