Leixlip Confey

Leixlip, on the outskirts Dublin's western suburbs on the Dublin to Sligo line, is served by two stations, Leixlip Louise Bridge which is the original Midland Great Western Railway one, and this station which is the newer of the two called Confey. The station here, which is nearer to the village centre, was first opened in July 1990 as part of the first upgrade of suburban services to Maynooth. The station had just one platform, located on what was the former down line (the double track having been singled in 1930 by the Great Southern Railway) and extended beyond the narrow road overbridge. A small container acted as the ticket office. In 2000, the Maynooth line was re-doubled, resulting in the original single platform station been demolished. Confey now has up & down platforms, ramped footbridge and typical modern IE booking office. Part of the up platform and footbridge is actually suspended on stils above the adjacent Royal Canal.
Running alongside the Royal Canal on the approach to Leixlp Confey Station is 29000 Class No.29115, with a stopping service from Maynooth to Dublin Pearse. 22000 Class railcar No.22023 passes through Leixlip Confey with the 11:05 Dublin to Sligo train. The railcar set is formed by two 3-car units. Until recently the up platform at Leixlip Confey was subsiding into the adjacent Royal Canal. Seen here before its rebuilding with the slant clearly visible, 29000 Class No.29401 approaches with a service from Maynooth to Dublin Connolly. 29000 Class railcars Nos.29428 & 29105 pass each other on the approach to Leixlip Confey Station. These units were built by CAF of Spain between 2002 and 2003.
Another 29000 Class railcar, No.29105, is seen just west of the platforms at Leixlip Confey as it forms the rear of this 8-car set to Maynooth. 071 Class locomotive No.083 runs through Leixlip Confey with the morning Dublin North Wall to Sligo empty timber train. This tran would return loaded the following evening, with its ultimate destination to Waterford. Viewed through the road overbridge at the east end of Leixlip Confey, 22000 Class railcar No.22009 approaches the station with the 11:05 Dublin to Sligo service. 22000 Class railcar No.22007 looks well in the morning sun as it approaches Leixlip Confey with the 9:00 Sligo to Dublin service. The cue ball number on these units have since been replaced by standard numerals.
Framed by the stone built overbridge at Leixlip Confey, No.22009 passes through non-stop with the morning Dublin to Sligo service. 071 Class No.074 is seen approaching Leixlip Confey from the east as it heads the North Wall to Sligo empty timber train. The station at Leixlip Confey was original opened in July 1990. It was subsequently rebuilt when the line between Dublin and Maynooth was redoubled in 2001. It is one of two stations in the Leixlip area, Confey seperating it from the nearby Louisa Bridge station of 1848 further west. Preserved ex Great Southern & Western Railway J15 Class 0-6-0 No.186 is captured just east of Leixlip Confey as it heads the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland's 'Eggspress' special to Mullingar. No.186 was built in 1879 at Inchicore Works, Dublin.
071 Class loco No.079, complete with warning panels, approaches Leixlip Confey from the west as it heads Irish Rail's annual weed spraying train from Mullingar to Dublin. Substituting for steam traction on the RPSI 'Santa Specials', 071 Class loco approaches the station at Leixlip Confey with a morning Dublin to Maynooth working, complete with headboard. On the left is one of the few straight sections of the Royal Canal. Loco No.083 is caught again at Leixlip Confey as it heads the afternoon 'Santa Special' to Maynooth, formed of the steam heated Craven built coaches, which date from 1964. The Irish Rail name board at Leixlip Confey station. The station, particularly on its up side still has a rural appearance.