Harristown

Harristown, Co.Kildare, was one of the smaller stations on the former Great Southern & Western Railway's branch line from Sallins to Tullow, which opened in stages in 1885 and 1889. The long branch was never heavily used and passenger services on the route were suspended in 1944 following coal shortages. It reopened briefly only to be closed to regular passenger and goods traffic in 1947. The line to Tullow remained open however for occasional cattle specials before finally closing completely in 1959. Although it appears the main station building at Harristown has been demolished, the small stone built goods shed and the adjacent station masters house survive. South of Harristown the line crosses the River Liffey on a fine five arched viaduct, built of limestone and brick.
The station masters house at Harristown Station is typical of the type built by the GSWR on the Sallins to Tullow branch. Note also the trackside mile post. The site of the former Harristown Station, with the small stone built goods shed in view., this shot is looking north towards Sallins. Site of the southern end of Harristown Station, looking towards Tullow, the raised embankment of the former trackbed can clearly be seen. The dismantled rail overbridge at the southern end of Harristown Station area. This structure was most likely a metal bridge plate construction seen at many overbridges on the Tullow branch.
What would have made a lovely photographic train location, the former railway cutting between Harristown Station and the River Liffey viaduct, this view is looking north towards Sallins. After emerging from the cutting south of Harristown near the River Liffey viaduct, the line passes over a farm accommodation bridge, which remains partly intact. The rail overbridge from the former trackbed, looking north back towards Harristown and the railway cutting, the southern end of which is partly overgrown. The wonderful five eliptical skew arched viaduct across the River Liffey south of Harristown, built in 1885, as viewed from the western side of the line.
Close up of the skew arch style employed on the River Liffey viaduct south of Harristown, built of brick held by its retaining walls of limestone. Another close up of the brick built arch on the Liffey viaduct south of Harristown. The trackbed on River Liffey viaduct south of Harristown. This view is looking south towards Tullow. The track was lifted from the viaduct in 1960. A scenic view from the former railway embankment on the approach to the viaduct south of Harristown, with the River Liffey in view.
The on trackbed of the former railway embankment south of Harristown, looking north towards Sallins. This particularly section of the former line is incredibly peaceful. Moving further south from Harristown, and beyond the River Liffey viaduct, in the distance is an accommodation overbridge over the former line. This view is looking north towards Sallins. Coming up to date and a new house has been built beside the former trackbed, with the accommodation bridge visible in the backround. This view is from an adjacent road overbridge on the R412 road. Looking the opposite way, south to Tullow, the trackbed has been partially removed by landowners. The small house is possibly a former railwaymens cottage.
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