Killonan Junction

Killonan Junction station, Co.Limerick, located just west of the city of the same on the Waterford & Limerick Railway's 1840s built line from Limerick Junction, latterly operated by the Great Southern & Western Railway, was the point of diversion for passengers travelling to Ballybrophy via Nenagh. The junction is located at the eastern end of the former 1848 built station, which had up & down platforms with the main single storey building located on the down side. Also on the down side is the GSWR signal cabin adjacent to a level crossing. The station was closed in September 1963, the building now a private residence with the former platforms being largely cut back away from the line. The GSWR once had double track between Killonan and Limerick Junction, but this was singled in 1929 by the Great Southern Railway.
The former Killonan Junction Station, looking west towards Limerick. In the foreground is the end of the double track from Limerick, singled beyond to Limerick Junction in 1929. ©Albert Delvin In September 1980, 001 Class loco No.014 passes Killonan Jct with a Limerick bound train. It was common practive for drivers to throw their signal tokens onto the gate posts of the level crossing for collection by the signalman manning the cabin. ©Daniel McFadden In July 2009, an inspection car heading for Limerick approaches Killonan Junction Station. To the left of the car is the steps used for exchanging tokens for the line to Ballybrophy. ©Albert Delvin A 2700 Class railcar passes the former Killonan Junction Station with a service from Limerick City. To the right is a CTC relay room and aerial. ©Albert Delvin
071 Class locomotive No.072 brings the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland's 'Province of Leinster' tour off the Nenagh branch and onto the main line towards Limerick. 2700 Class railcar No.2720 forms the rear unit of this 4-car 2700 set seen heading past Killonan Junction on a Limerick to Limerick Jct service. The train displays the now defunct commuter livery for these units. A 2-car 2700 railcar, lead by No.2705, passes the junction at Killonan at speed while operating a branch service to Limeric City. No.2706 forms the rear 2700 unit on this branch service to Limerick City, seen entering the double track section west of Killonan. The level crossing gates at Kilonan are still hand operated.
The Great Southern & Western Railway signal cabin on the down side of the line at Killonan Junction. The brick base has been plastered over. ©Albert Delvin Looking east towards Limerick Junction at Killonan, with the branch to Ballybrophy diverging to the left. In the background is a crossing keepers house. ©Albert Delvin The approach road to Killonan Junction Station, now a private residence. The station was closed by CIE in September 1963. ©Albert Delvin