Cobh Junction

Cobh Junction, Co.Cork, is located on the Cork City to Cobh line on the northern bank of the River Lee Estuary. Cobh Junction was established in 1862 when the Cork & Youghal Railway built a branch to the trans-Atlantic port of Cobh which diverged from their already existing main line to Youghal. Within a few years the Cobh branch had become the main line as the town became an important harbour during the late 19th century, the C&YR having been taken over by the larger Great Southern & Western company. The junction where the Cobh and Youghal lines reflected this, with the Youghal line diverging away from the double track main line east of the station. Cobh Junction has up & down platforms, with the small wooden station building located on the down side, which unusually incorporates the 20 lever signal cabin. The base of the former water tower and station masters house are also located on the down side, while on the up platform is a wooden GSWR waiting shelter. The footbridge, located at the east end of the station, is also a GSWR structure.

Regular passenger services on the Youghal line ceased in 1963, but the line remained open for goods and occasional Sunday excursions until the late 1970s, after which only special trains ran once every few years until 1988. The Youghal line lay derelict for 21 years, but was reopened as far as Midleton in 2009. At the same time the station received upgrading, with resurfaced platforms and new waiting shelters.
The 001 Class leader, No.001, brings a stopping service into the station from Cork, heading to Cobh in 1983. Cobh Junction Station retained its old atmosphere until the early 1990s. Note the vintage platform lamps and picket fencing on the up side. ©John Law - Everything on Rails Nowadays passenger services in the Cork suburban area are formed by 2600 & 2700 Class railcars. Here one of the latter, No.2719, prepares to take a trial train to Midleton out of Cobh Junction. Front and roof profile of No.2719, which dates from the late 1990s entering service as one of Dublin's orange liveried 'Arrow' trains, stands at Cobh Junction with a trial train to Midleton. 2722 forms the rear 2700 railcar unit on this trial train at Cobh Junction, preparing to depart for Midleton.
Signals old & new are seen guarding the entrance onto the Midleton line at Cobh Junction, the signal cabin having been brought back into use allowing the semaphore arm for the Youghal line to be once again pulled 'off'. The standard CIE tubular post bracket semaphore signals at the east of Cobh Junction, was a feature of the station for years now. In the background is one of the newer LED colour light signals, which along with others would eventually replace all the semaphores. No.2611 stands at Cobh Junction Station prior to departing south towards Cobh with a train from Glanmire Rd. At the east end of Cobh Junction 141 Class loco No.168 comes off the Youghal line with a short goods heading for Cork in 1978. At this time the junction was of double track. ©Jonathan M.Allen
Cobh Junction, where the Youghal and Cobh lines separate. At this time in August 2005 the then disused Youghal line can be seen diverging to the left, while the line to Cobh curves to the right heading south. Coming up to date, Cobh Junction has been refurbished with the line to Youghal reopening as far as Midleton. 2700 Class railcar No.2722 awaits the road off the Youghal line, while sister unit 2716 approaches with a service from Cobh. Today the trackwork has again been altered to allow higher speeds. Back to 1971, recently re-engined A Class, later 001 Class, No.A2r approaches Cobh Junction with a service for Cork. The line to Cobh can be seen curving across the Lee Estuary in the background, while in the distance can be seen goods train on the Youghal line. ©Jonathan M.Allen In July 1978, 001 Class loco No.32 takes the Youghal line at the east end of Cobh Junction with a Sunday excursion bound for the seaside town. ©Jonathan M.Allen
Sister loco No.33 makes a fine sight as it curves its way onto the Cobh line with a similar summer Sunday excursion from Youghal in 1978. ©Jonathan M.Allen The last passenger specials to Youghal and Midleton ran in 1988. By 2005 the Youghal line had been derelict for many years, with the track partially covered over at Cobh Junction. By 2009 the line to Midleton had been brought back into use. The semaphores were soon be removed and replaced by the modern colour light signals. A view from the up platform at Cobh Junction, looking west towards Cork. In the foreground is the then rusted crossover points for trains joining the Cobh line from Youghal.
A view from the south end of Cobh Junction up platform, looking towards Cobh and Youghal, prior to the station's refurbishment which included the resurfacing of the platforms. Cobh Junction Station, looking neat and tidy after refurbishment. All stations on the Cork to Cobh line received similar treatment. The Great Southern & Western wooden station building at Cobh Junction, which incorporated the signal cabin. The cabin has since been made redundant with the replacement of the mechanical signalling. The interior of Cobh Junction signal cabin, located within the wooden 1860s station building. There are block instruments for both Cobh and Midleton.
Another view of the lever frame at Cobh Junction, which once controlled a far more complex junction than today. This cabin was 'switched out' for many years. It has since been made permanently redundant. The wooden GSWR waiiting shelter on the up platform at Cobh Junction, now fitted with modern seating. The new robust plastic waiting shelters on the down platform at Cobh Junction, identical to those installed on the suburban network in Dublin City. The footbridge, after repainting as part of the Cork suburban railway upgrade. The pot plants complement this station's tidy and colourful image.
It appears Irish Rail have got their translation spelling wrong for this sign, seen at Cobh Jct. 2609 heads out of the station with its service from Cobh. The neat looking church is the background overlooks the parish of Glouthaune. A view from the end of the up platform at Cobh Junction, looking west towards Cork. A siding once existed where the CTC aerial is sited on the right of the photo. The lower quadrant semaphore signals at the west end of Cobh Junction, which were soon to be replaced by the new LED colour light signals.
Cobh Junction was renamed Glouthaune in 1994, after which the then new 2600 Class railcars began operating on the route. This is one of the old 1980s T-board signs, since removed.