Leixlip

Leixlip, on the outskirts of Dublin's western suburbs on the Dublin to Sligo line, is served almost exclusively by Maynooth commuter services. The Midland Great Western Railway built station here is called Leixlip Louise Bridge to distinguish it to the other station located nearer east to the town called 'Confey' dating from 1990. The station at Leixlip was opened in September 1848, but was originally closed in 1947, but retained its loop and signalling until the late 1970s.

In 1981 the station reopened for the new commuter service and a single platform was built on former down line, which was subsequently demolished to allow the re-doubling of the line to Maynooth in 2000 which originally had been singled since 1930 by the Great Southern Railway. Today the original MGWR station building on the down side remains, now a private residence. In 2000 a new booking office was built spanning the tracks at the west end of the station as part of the Maynooth line upgrade.
In its original orange 'Arrow' livery, 2800 Class railcar No.2808, calls at Leixlip Station with a service from Maynooth to Dublin. Nowadays the 29000 Class railcars dominate most commuter services to Maynooth. No.29403 is seen here arriving with a service to Dublin. 22000 Class railcar No.22002 passes beneath the elevated station building at Leixlip with a morning Sligo to Dublin service. The position of the building at Leixlip is due to the lack of space alongside the Royal Canal and the original station buidling, out of view to the left. No.22006 is the rear unit of this 22000 Class railcar set from Sligo, seen just east of the platforms at Leixlip Station. Between Dublin and Mullingar there are many curves on the line due to the decision of the Midland Great Western Railway to build alongside the Royal Canal.
29000 Class railcar No.29118 forms the rear unit on this stopping service from Dublin, seen heading away from the down platform at Leixlip Station. 22000 Class railcar No.22007 rounds the sharp curve on the approach to Leixlip Station with a Dublin to Sligo service, passing a permanent way gang working on the track. The Dublin to Sligo service, formed of a combined 3-car 22000 set, passes through Leixlip Station with No.22009 leading. This view is from the station footbridge, which is attached to the main building. 22000 Class No.22012 is seen east of Leixlip Station running alongside the Royal Canal. Part of the line here is supported on a concrete walled embankment above the canal bank.
Now bearing the green and blue 'Commuter' livery, 2800 Class railcar No.2806 arrives at the up platform at Leixlip with a morning service from Maynooth to Dublin. 071 Class locomotive No.075 approaches Leixlip Station from the east with the empty North Wall to Sligo timber train, which had originated in Waterford that morning. This freight service has since been withdrawn from the Sligo line. Ex Great Southern & Western Railway J15 Class 0-6-0 No.186 runs along the Royal Canal at Leixlip with an RPSI 'Trinity' special to Mullingar, formed of the preserved 1960s Craven stock. Leixlip Station, looking east towards Dublin from the steps leading down from the station building. Two now disused booking offices, dating from 1848 and 1980 respectively, can be seen on the right.
This is the 1848 built station building at Leixlip, located on the down platform. The building is now a private residence. Due to the non-availability of steam traction, the RPSI's annual 'Santa Specials' were diesel hauling, kicking off with 071 Class loco No.080, seen approaching Leixlip with the morning special to Maynooth. No.080 is seen again as it takes the curves alongside the Royal Canal at Blakestown, west of Leixlip, with the return 'Santa Special' from Maynooth. The trains were formed of the RPSI's 1960s Craven built stock. Seen at the same location west of Leixlip, sister loco No.083 works another Maynooth to Dublin 'Santa Special, viewed from the relatively newly constructed Leixlip/M4 interchange road.
On the third weeked of the RPSI 'Santa Specials', 201 Class motive power was used, with loco No.215, seen running alongside the Royal Canal at the west end of Leixlip Station. Behind the loco is the Mk1 steam generator van. A 6-car 22000 Class railcar is captured west of Leixlip while working a morning Sligo to Dublin service. The trees behind the train obscure the large Intel complex located in Leixlip. 29000 Class railcar No.29429 follows the ICR, working a stopping service from Maynooth to Dublin. Following the commuter railcar, 'Intercity' liveried 201 Class loco No.216 is photographed again, this time working the return 'Santa Special' from Maynooth. Two of the Craven coaches towards the rear have been repainted into the new RPSI blue livery.
Heading away from Leixlip is 29000 Class No.29420, operating a Maynooth to Dublin Pearse service. Although not so obvious, the canal and railway here span the tributary of the River Liffey via a very tall embankment. Operating tender-first, ex Dublin & South Eastern Railway's 2-6-0 loco No.461 approaches Leixlip while working a 'running-in' trip to Maynooth prior to operating the RPSI's 'Spare-Link' railtour. The loco was built in 1922 and was finally withdrawn from CIE service in 1965. Repainted into the 1950s CIE green livery, No.461 passes the 'Intel Bridge' west of Leixlip as it operates its return test train from Maynooth to Dublin. The tender has since received a CIE 'Flying Snail' logo. No.22215 leads a 3-car 22000 Class railcar set past milepost 12 at Blakestown, west of Leixlip. The lock keepers cottage at the Blakestown canal lock is visible in the background.
29000 Class No.29426 takes the S-curve at Blakestown while operating a Maynooth to Dublin Pearse service. The colour light signal visible in the background protects Blakestown level crossing, out of view around the curve.