Castleisland

The short branch from Gortatlea Junction, just west of Tralee on the Kerry line, to Castleisland was opened by the Great Southern & Western Railway in August 1875. The branch lost its passenger and goods service in 1947, but the goods traffic recommenced in 1957 and continued right up until 1977. The branch line remained derelict for just over 10 years before it was finally lifted 1988. Most of the trackbed remains intact due to its recent lifting, with some sections of the line having a ballast. Very little remains of the station terminus at Castleisland itself, the site is now occupied by a supermarket car park, but the small GSWR brick station masters house survives.
This is the site of Castleisland Station, which originally featured a single platform and wooden station building, long since demolished. The brick built Great Southern & Western style station masters house, visible in the previous photo, is the only reminder of the railway today in Castleisland. This was the only level crossing on the branch line, located in the townland of Camp just outside Castleisland itself. Although the branch was lifted in 1988, one of the CIE style crossing gates remain. Closer view of the wooden CIE level crossing gate at Camp, located on a minor road just outside Castleisland. The gate stills retains its red 'X' or 'target' board, which is still used on manual crossing gates on Irish Rail.
A view from Camp level crossing looking towards Gatatlea. Here the gate posts and crossing gate have been removed on this side of the road, the former trackbed been used to access an adjacent house. The former trackbed on the Castleisland side of Camp level crossing remains intact, with some traces of ballast still visible, largely due to the line's recent (in railway terms) lifting in 1988.