Kiltartan

Kiltartan, Co.Galway, is a town land which the 1869 built Waterford Limerick & Western Railway's line between Limerick and Athenry runs through. There was never a station at Kiltartan, just a road overbridge where the main N18 road crosses the railway, which was replaced by an automated level crossing in 1967, one of the first few in the country. The Limerick to Athenry line lost its passenger service in 1976, but remained open for freight until the late 1990s. Passenger services between Limerick and Galway were restored in March 2010, and level crossing at Kiltartan was upgraded to a full barrier type.
Kiltartan, on the Limerick-Athenry line in 1971, showing the recently installed half barrier automatic level crossing on the N18 road. Note the old bell, and at this time the amber light had yet to be invented. ©Peter Harms Present view shows the newer and more recently installed LED lights and barriers at the level crossing at Kiltartan. Kiltartan was one of a few level crossings on the Limerick-Athenry line to be converted to automatic use on the N18 road in the late 1960s. It has since been converted to a full barrier crossing with the reopening of the line to Galway. Kiltartan level crossing looking south towards Limerick, showing the recently ballast track in preporation for the restoration of passenger services between Galway and Limerick. At this time, this part of the Western Rail Corridor at Kiltartan was currently been relaid. This view is looking south towards Limerick.
Originally the main road passed over the rail line on this narrow bridge, which was replaced later by the level crossing. This bridge has since been rebuilt and the neat arch has been demolished. The stop board on the northern approach to Kiltartan level crossing, used to advise crews of frequent engineering trains operating on the line at this time. The signal protecting Kiltartan level crossing, yet to be commissioned. This type of signal is one of the most modern in use on Irish Rail, featuring LED lights. View looking north towards Athenry just beyond Kiltartan. New rails can be seen either side of the track ready for relaying.