Howth Junction

Howth Junction, on the Dublin to Belfast main line, is where the short 1847built line to Howth diverges. Up to 1912, Howth Junction station was simply known as 'junction'. The station, which has four platforms, up and down for both the Howth and Belfast lines, had at one time station buildings located on the centre platforms, but these have long since been demolished. The signal cabin at the south end of the station, a unique Great Northern Railway type, was unfortunately demolished following the electrification of the branch to Howth with the commencement of DART trains in 1984. Up to 1999/2000, Howth Jct was an interchange with diesel services to the north to Malahide and beyond but today the DART trains now terminate at Malahide, following the extension of the wires north of the junction. In recent years the station has been totally rebuilt, with a new footbridge and booking offices on either side of the lines.
A view from the branch side of Howth Jct Station, where 8100 Class DART No.8338 is seen on the rear of a Howth bound service from Bray. This DART unit has since been refurbished. A view looking north at Howth Jct Station, showing the main line towards Belfast. Since this view was taken in 2003, a new footbridge and modern station building have been built. Another summer 2003 photos shows the curved platforms for the Howth branch at the junction station. A new booking office has since been constructed on the up side of the line here. This is the present day scene at the branch platforms at Howth Jct Station, showing the new station building and footbridge. 8500 Class DART No.8634 arrives with a southbound Howth to Bray service.
The CIE era 1980s 'T' board sign at Howth Jct. The station has since been renamed as 'Howth Junction & Donaghmede'. This is the nearest station to Dublin Airport which features a connecting shuttle bus. A view from the northern end of the station on the Howth branch, where 8500 Class DART No.8616 is seen rounding the curve with a southbound service to Greystones. The single red aspected signal indicates that trains cannot proceed 'wrong road' in the Howth direction on the up line. This however will soon change with the recent resignalling of the station. Seen at the same location at Howth Jct, but as it was when still a rural setting in the early 1970s, recently re-engined A Class loco No.35r is seen with the CIE steam crane, while a Crossley engined A Class loco runs round a spoil train. ©Barry Carse Another early 1970s view of Howth Jct Station, with 141 Class loco No.B155 passing with a northbound Guinnnes train to Belfast. In this view can be seen the Great Northern Railway signal cabin and semaphore signals, removed in 1983. ©Barry Carse
In its 1990s Irish Rail orange livery, 201 Class loco No.220 propels a southbound 'Enterprise' from Belfast past Howth Jct on the last leg of its journey to Dublin. The site of the GNR signal cabin is now occupied by the siding on the left. Heading a northbound 'Enterprise' to Belfast past the junction with the Howth branch on this occasion is 201 Class loco No.233 in its properly dedicated livery for this service. On a dull day, 071 Class loco No.085 rumbles through Howth Jct Station with the afternoon laden Tara Mines to Alexandra Rd ore train from Navan. Sister loco No.078 approaches the station at Howth Jct with the afternoon empties from Alexandra Rd in Dublin Port to Tara Mines near Navan.
29000 Class railcar No.29406 is seen on the rear of a southbound commuter service from Drogheda to Dublin at Howth Jct. The derelict brick structure visible on the left is the Dublin & Drogheda Railway station masters house, unoccupied since the early 1980s. 8100 Class DART No.8323 is seen on the rear of an afternoon service to Malahide, seen on the main line side of Howth Jct Station. The USA style colour light signals at the north end of Howth Jct, as well as others, have since been replaced by simple LED lights. No.8128 leads an 8-car 8100 DART set into the down branch platform at Howth Jct Station with an afternoon stopping service from Bray to Howth. The rear of the train is seen straddling the Dublin to Belfast main line. This basic brick built structure on the up branch platform served as the booking office at Howth Jct Station for many years until replaced in 2004.
An early 1970s view of the main line at Howth Jct Station with a Northern Ireland Railway's 80 Class diesel railcar No.96 heading a Dublin to Belfast service. The twin footbridge which spanned the main line and branch line at Howth Jct was of Dublin South Eastern Railway origin, having been obtained in the late 1960s from the former stations at Woodenbridge and Woodbrook. ©Barry Pickup Gone is the exotic paim tree and DSER footbridge at Howth Jct, replaced by the large modern footbridge. 201 Class loco No.233 'River Clare' is seen again passing through the station on a Dublin to Belfast 'Enterprise'. The 'Enterprise' driving van trailer No.9001, manufactured by the French firm De Dietrich, is seen on the rear of 233's train at the north end of Howth Jct, while 29000 Class railcar No.29404 approaches with a Connolly bound service from Drogheda. 8100 Class DART No.8104 leads a northbound stopping service into Howth Jct Station, heading for Malahide. The platforms visible in the distance belong to nearby Kilbarrack Station. No.8104 was built by the German firm Linke Hofman Busch for the DART service in 1983.
29000 Class railcar No.29119 is seen at the north end of Howth Jct approaching with a southbound service from Drogheda. On the right is one of the USA style colour light signals of the early 1980s, designed by the Westinghouse Signalling company of Pennsylvania. Keeping behind the yellow line, railcar unit No.2607 is observed at the head of a 2600/2800 Class railcar combination at the north end of Howth Junction with a service to Drogheda. No.2820 forms the rear unit on this 2800/2600 Class railcar combination, seen departing north from Howth Jct Station. 'HJ' on the signal post stands for the signalling relay station at Howth Junction. Orange liveried 071 Class loco No.078 approaches Howth Jct with its loaded ore train from Tara Mines to Dublin Port. 078 was built by General Motors at their La Grange Illinois works USA in 1976.
29000 Class railcar No.29126 appears to have sustained some damage to its front end, seen departing Howth Jct with a service which will run non stop to Dublin's Connolly Station. With a filty destination display, 8100 DART No.8323 rounds the curve at the north end of Howth Jct with a stopping service from Malahide. A rather grimy looking 'Intercity' liveried 201 Class loco No.231 clatters over the point work at the south end of Howth Jct Station with the 13:20 Dublin to Belfast 'Enteprise'. 8100 Class DART No.8123 is seen having just traversed the turnout point for the branch line at Howth Jct with a stopping service from Bray. This complex trackwork requires a 20mph speed restriction for trains branching off the main line.
8100 Class DART No.8337 is caught in the low afternoon sunlight as it arrives on the main line up platform at Howth Jct Station with a stopping service from Malahide to Greystones. 071 Class loco No.073 stands at the north end of Howth Jct with a train load of concrete sleepers bound for Platin on the Navan branch near Drogheda. The train has been halted for a single check towards Clongriffin. 071 Class No.073 hauls sister locomotive No.084 through Howth Jct on a short ore train from Tara Mines to Dublin through Howth Jct. No.084 had failed earlier with the train near Drogheda.