Boyle

Boyle, Co.Roscommon, is located on the main Dublin to Sligo line, opened by the Midland Great Western in 1862. Boyle Station is one of the most attractive on this section of the Sligo line, it retains nearly all of its original MGWR buildings, such as the stone built two storey station building, waiting room, signal cabin and original footbridge. Although modernisation in the form of CTC has made the mechanical signalling redundant the station still remains attractive to photograph. The station also has numerous floral and water displays on both its up & down platforms. There was once a goods store located at the Sligo end of the station, but this was demolished in the 1990s and the adjacent sidings were removed.
On a cloudy day, 071 Class loco No.076, pauses at Boyle Station with an Irish Traction Group railtour to Sligo, consisting of ex CIE coaching stock. Seen with 1970s Mk2 stock is 071 Class loco No.079 at Boyle Station, operated an evening Dublin to Sligo service. These trains are now operated by Intercity railcars. 079 is glimpsed again, this time just south of Boyle heading a morning Sligo to Dublin service. 079 was built by General Motors in 1976. The Midland Great Western Boyle Station, looking south towards Dublin from the up platform, showing the main building and footbridge.
The two storey MGWR station building at Boyle, typical of the type constructed on this section of the line in the 1850s. Also at Boyle Station is the former stone bult water tower, minus its tank. It is located at the north end of the down platform alongside the signal cabin. This is Boyle signal cabin prior to Centralised Traffic Control which abolished the mechanical signalling on the Sligo line. A 1960s built Wickham inspection car is standing on the now lifted siding. The now redundant Midland Great Western signal cabin at Boyle Station, located at the north end of the down platform.
The redundant lever frame inside the signal cabin at Boyle Station. The cabin was a typical Midland Great Western design, built with a brick base. Lever pulleys beneahth the frame inside Boyle signal cabin, with a counter lever manufactured by the Railway Signalling Company of Liverpool. The MGWR station buildings at Boyle are maintained very well and makes it one of the most attractive on the Sligo line. The stone built waiting room on the down platform at Boyle Station, with has an attached water feature on the left.
The weighing scales on the up platform at Boyle. There are many other Victorian platform furniture still to be seen at the station. The original metal plated Midland Great Western footbridge at Boyle survives, located at the north end of the station. Detail on the MGWR footbridge posts at Boyle Station, a similar post like this remains at the derelict Crossdoney Station in Co.Cavan. View from the footbridge at Boyle Station, looking towards Dublin. On the left visible on the up platform is an EX Midland Great Western platform bench.
Boyle retains a siding at the Sligo end of the station following the completion of the CTC signalling upgrade to the line. The former goods yard and shed was once located on the right behind the extended up platform.