Baltimore

The small fishing town of Baltimore, Co.Cork, was the terminus of the Cork Bandon & South Coast Railway's branch line which diverged from their main line at Drimoleague. Half of the Baltimore branch had been built as far as Skibbereen by the Illen Valley Railway in July 1877, but the section to Baltimore was not completed by the CBSCR until May 1893. The Baltimore branch, along with the West Cork lines, were closed by CIE in March 1961. Today the terminus station at Baltimore remains and has the title of being the most southerly in Ireland. It consists of a single platform on which a long brick built station building is located, now used by local boat club. A new road has been built through part of the station site, but the locomotive shed remains in situ, although the small signal cabin however has long since been demolished.
Baltimore, terminus of the former branch line from Drimoleague and most southerly station in Ireland. The single platform and station buildings all remain good condition. The large brick built station building at Baltimore, dating from the opening of the line in May 1895 by the Cork Bandon & South Coast Railway. A car park now occupies much of the station site. A view looking north towards Drimoleague from the single platform terminus at Baltimore. The branch line as well as the rest of the west Cork railway system was closed by CIE in March 1961. This is the station masters house at Baltimore, located at the north end of the station. The building is now a private residence.
Following the closure of the line in March 1961, a new road was constructed through the station site. This view is looking towards Drimoleage at the north end of Baltimore Station. On the left is the former locomotive shed. The single road locomotive shed adjacent to the former Baltimore Station. The shed had fallen out of use by 1950s following the dieselisation of the west Cork lines. The building is now part of boat yard. A view of the approach to the former station at Baltimore. The brick built station building can be seen in the left distance, with the loco shed on the right now seperated by the new road. A level crossing was once sited here as well as a signal cabin. A view looking north towards Drimoleage from the former station level crossing at Baltimore. A new road serving a housing estate has been built on the former trackbed.
This was once the approach road to Baltmore Station, now being used by a private boat yard and shed. The cast iron gate posts are typical of type used by the Cork Bandon & South Coast Railway. In order to handle the large fish traffic at Baltimore, the CBSCR extended the branch line down from the station to the pier. This view shows the former trackbed leading to the pier. The extension was little used in later years but remained in situ until complete closure in 1961. The Baltimore branch line, like so many in west Cork, passed through some very scenic landscapes. This view shows the former railway embankment just north of the town with the Church Strand Bay in the background.