Laytown

Laytown, Co.Meath, is located on a scenic coastal section of the Dublin to Belfast main line, between Malahide and Drogheda, and was first opened by the Dublin & Drogheda Railway in May 1844. Rebuilt by the Great Northern Railway after 1876, the station acquired its typical GNR wooden station building on the up platform, waiting room on the down platform, signal cabin and footbridge. Today, only the main wooden station building remains, along with the unusual station master house, which is an original D&DR structure. The original cast iron footbridge was also replaced by a modern bridge which lift shafts. At the south end of the station the line crosses the River Nanny.
Laytown, looking north towards Belfast from the station footbridge, showing the near and tidy platforms as they were in 2003. The station masters house at Laytown, located on the down side behind the platform. It is a Dublin & Drogheda Railway structure, dating from 1844. The original Victorian footbridge at Laytown, located at the south end of the station. This bridge was subsequently replaced by modern bridge with lifts. An original Great Northern Railway bench on the down platform at Laytown. Some of this GNR platform furniture has been replaced in recent years.
The typical Great Northern style signal cabin at Laytown, located at the north end of the station on the up side, rather than the usual down. By the time this view was taken in 1997, the cabin was disused. ©Joe Curtis Inside Laytown signal cabin, 1994, just prior to closure showing one of the smallest McKenzie & Holland lever frames supplied to the GNR. ©Barry Pickup Approaching Laytown from the south is 29000 Class railcar No.29129, with a service from Dublin to Drogheda. On this cloudy day, 201 Class loco No.233 approaches Laytown at speed with the 13:20 Dublin to Belfast 'Enterprise'.
Seen in its early 2000s style 'Commuter' livery, 2600 Class railcar No.2614 rolls into Laytown Station with a stopping service from Drogheda to Dublin. 071 Class loco No.075 heads through Laytown with the midday ore working from the Tara Mines to Dublin Port. Sister loco No.082 passes the Great Northern Railway wooden station building at Laytown as it works the empty ore wagons from Dublin to the Tara Mines near Navan. 29000 Class railcar No.29117 takes the curve at Laytown Station as it arrives with a southbound service from Drogheda to Dublin. On the left is the original 1870s built GNR building.
No.29127 forms the rear unit of this 29000 Class 8-car set to Dublin, seen just crossing the viaduct south of the station at Laytown. In Irish Rail's 1990s blue livery; a 1980s style T-board sign at Laytown Station. In the background is the Nanny River, which flows beneath the railway viaduct and into the sea. Laytown still retains its 1870s wooden station building on the up platform, one of only handful to remain in situ on the ex Great Northern's Dublin to Belfast main line. A view looking from the newer footbridge at Laytown Station, showing the adjacent coast line. On the left is the modern station building, which is only used at peak times.
The different mixture of station buildings at Laytown, as viewed from the station forecourt. A car park now occupies the site of the one time goods yard.