Liffey Junction

Liffey Junction is where the Midland Great Western Railway's main line from the Broadstone terminus in northwest Dublin City joined their 1880s built line to the North Wall yards. Broadstone Station was closedto passengers by the Great Southern Railway in January 1937 when western line services were instead diverted over the Liffey Jct to Amiens St line (now Connolly). Meanwhile the Broadstone line remained in use to access the former steam sheds there, but by 1977 the line was disused and was eventually lifted, having only been used simply for oil trains serving the bus depot. Liffey Jct Station, which had closed in 1937, remained a block post until 1991, when the signal cabin, points and sidings associated with the Broadstone line were taken out of use and lifted. Today, only one of the disused platforms survives on the up side of the line. The typical MGWR stone built water tower, which had stood adjacent to the signal cabin, remains in situ.
A 2800 Class railcar, No.2810, passes the former Liffey Junction on a Maynooth bound train. In the distance can be seen Broombridge Station, which opened in July 1990. The former island platform at the old Liffey Jct Station. The station building was located on this platform. In the late 1990s the track through the station was re-aligned away from the old platforms. Liffey Junction, looking east towards Glasnevin and North Wall. On the right can be seen the old Midland Great Western Railway water tower and adjacent crane. Liffey Junction, looking west towards Sligo. The former line from Broadstone converged from the left. Until 1990 there were several sidings located here.
The old stone built water tower at Liffey Junction, which stood between lines to the North Wall yards and the MGWR terminus at Broadstone. In the foreground is the site of the former signal cabin, demolished after re-signalling in 1990. This is the trackbed of the former line to the MGWR's Dublin terminus at Broadstone. The line lost its passenger service in 1937, but remained in use to serve the locomotive shed there. The track was finally removed in 1971, although the a short section remained in situ here as sidings until lifting in 1990. The Royal Canal, located to the rear of the former Liffey Junction Station. Visible on the right is the former water tower.The Midland Great Western Railway purchased the Canal in 1845. This is the trackbed of the former line to Broadstone, located south of Liffey Junction. This view is looking north towards the junction. By 1971 only a single disused track remained in situ to Broadstone.
A view looking towards the MGWR terminus at Broadstone. Many of the railway telegraph poles remain in situ along here. These pictures were taken from the Cabra Road overbridge. The trackbed may see use as a Luas tram line in the future.