Banagher

The small town of Banagher on the River Shannon, Co.Offaly, was terminus of a 17 mile branch line, constructed from Clara by the Clara & Banagher Railway. Opened in 1884 after a many protracted years of construction, the line was latterly operated by the Great Southern & Western Railway. Passenger services over the branch ceased in 1947, but the line remained in use for goods and occasional specials until complete closure in January 1963. The terminus at Banagher was located by the River Shannon adjacent to the harbour which served the town. The terminus consisted of a large two storey station building, single platform and water tower. The signal cabin, loco shed and carriage shed were all of wooden construction and the latter two suffered badly from flooding, eventually been demolished in the 1930s. Today, apart from the stone boundary wall, all trace of Banagher Station has vanished.
In September 1960, CIE Deutz G Class loco No.G603 stands at the terminus at Banagher Station with a couple wagons and a brakevan. In this view is the substantial station building, single platform and water tower, all of which have since vanished. ©Roger Joanes The same location as today, showing little trace of the station at Banagher. A toilet block now stands on the site of the station building. The houses visible in background of the previous photo are now obscured by the trees. The site of Banagher station, looking east towards Clara. The locomotive shed, a flimsy wooden construction, was once sited in the foreground,and was demolished in the 1940s after several flood damages from the adjacent River Shannon. Much of the station site at Banagher is now occupied by the town's main playground. This was the site of the turntable, located adjacent to the loco shed.
This is where the turntable at Banagher station was located, the buffers been located right up against the stone wall lining the main street of the town, visible in the background. The track layout necessitated all locos to be turned on the table to run-around their trains. The railway station at Banagher overlooked the River Shannon and the towns harbour area. The stone six-arched bridge carries the R356 road. Located within Banagher town and not too far from the former station is the 'Railway Bar', largely unchanged since the time of the railway, including its mock semaphore signals. This is the first road overbridge outside Banagher town, which carries a minor road towards the village at Shannon Harbour. This view is looking east towards Clara from the former trackbed.
Another view of the Shannon Harbour road overbridge outside Banagher town. It is of metal construction with brick arches. The last trains passed beneath the bridge in January 1963.