Kiltimagh

Kiltimagh was an important calling point on the Claremorris to Collooney 'Burma Road', which was built cheaply in the mid 1890s to relieve the poor in Co.Mayo. Regular passenger services ceased in 1963, but goods continued until 1975, Kiltimagh retained its goods facilities for this, along with its loop and sidings. Kiltimagh Station remained partly derelict in the early 1980s, however a new museum & craft centre, part of Museums of Co.Mayo, was opened in the station in 1988. In that year Irish Rail operated a special train from Claremorria to Kiltimagh, conveying an ex-CIE coach for installation at the museum.

The museum also brought about restoration of the station buildings, which include the stone built waiting shelter, up & down platforms, along with the signal cabin which retains its lever frame. Much of the trackwork also remains intact. The 'Burma Road' line remains in situ for the moment, however its future restoration remains uncertain.
The tidy and well kept station at Kiltimagh, looking south towards Claremorris, showing the up & down platforms and station buildings. The line between Claremorris and Collooney was finally closed in November 1975. Kiltimagh Station, looking north towards Collooney. The track and loop remains in situ here, though rusted. The last train to arrive at Kiltimagh was in September 1988, when a special operated from Claremorris to deliver an ex CIE carriage for the museum now housed in the goods store. A view from the south end of Kiltimagh Station, with the partially lifted siding in the foreground which once served the goods platform and shed, visible on the left. The view looking towards Claremorris at the north end of Kiltimagh Station, with the level crossng on the R322 road visible. Since this view was taken in 2004, the vegetation on the trackbed has been partially cleared away.
The former waiting shelter on the up platform at Kiltimagh Station, which has not seen a regular passenger since June 1963. The disused Great Southern & Western Railway signal cabin at Kiltimagh, built at the time of the opening of the line in October 1895. The cabin still retains its lever frame. The interior of the Kiltimagh signal cabin, showing the intact lever frame. The cabin has been out of use since 1975. A home made name board on the up platform at Kiltimagh. The station remained a block post and crossing point on the line until closure in November1975.
Remarkably this ex CIE carriage traversed the then derelict line from Claremorris to Kiltimagh Station in 1988, hauled by 001 Class locomotive No.032. The carriage, built in the 1950s, was positioned in the former goods siding and now forms part of the museum. Inside this ex CIE Inchicore built carriage at Kiltimagh Station museum. The carriage appears to be furnished in CIE's vintage 1970s orange & black colours. A group of old photographs on display at the museum at Kiltimagh, showing the station mainly in the 1960s. This is the former Aghareville level crossing, located south of Kiltimagh on the R324 road. On the left is the derelict gate keepers house. The CIE syle crossing gate remained in situ at this time.
The old CIE level crossing gate at Aghareville seen here has since been replaced by a study metal gate to prevent access to the derelict railway line. Although West on Track continue to support the reopening of the line, it's future restoration remains uncertain.