Limerick

Limerick was first served by rail when the Waterford & Limerick Railway opened their line from Limerick City to the Great Southern & Western's main line at Limerick Jct in July 1848. The W&LR was re-titled to become the Waterford Limerick & Western Railway who added an additional line from Limerick City to far away places such as Collooney via Athenry and Claremorris. The Great Southern & Western Railway also built an additional line to Limerick from Foynes and Tralee via the North Kerry route. Finally in 1901 the GSWR took over the WL&WR lines, becoming Ireland's largest railway company. The line from Limerick to Claremorris lost its passenger services in 1976, but was reinstated in March 2010 as far as Athenry. The North Kerry line however lost its passenger service in February 1963, but remained in use for freight as far as Foynes until 2002.

Limerick is the starting point for trains to Galway, Ballybrophy via Nenagh, Waterford and of course Dublin. Unfortunately the modern freight depot beside the station is now out of use. Limerick was also the home to the W&LR workshops, now used by Irish Rail as a railcar and wagon depot. The signal cabin at the station replaced the original mechanical one in the late 1970s.
1962 built 141 Class loco No.159 stands at Limerick Station having worked a service from Limerick Jct in 2002. No.159 was withdrawn and scrapped in September 2006 The freight yard alongside Limerick Station, seen in 2002 when busy with containers and bagged cement wagons. Unfortunately the yard was closed in 2005 and the cement wagons seen here have since been scrapped. The exterior of Limerick Station, located near the city centre. It was built by the Waterford & Limerick Railway in 1858. 141 Class No.170 is seen shunting a rake of 1960s era Cravan coaches at Limerick as it prepares to operate Ian Walsh's 'Boat Train' railtour to Rosslare Harbour.
201 Class loco No.219 in Irish Rail's 'Intercity' livery, stands at Limerick Station with a mixed stock of Cravens and Mk2s. The mixed stock of 1960s Craven coaches on the right, coupled to 1970s Mk2 stock at Limerick Station, built at Sheffield and Derby respectively. 141 Class locomotives Nos.162+171 prepare to back onto the 17:05 to Ennis at Limerick Station. Both these locos were built in 1962 by General Motors at La Grange, Illinois, USA. No.162 is now seen surrounded by 22000 & 2700 Class railcars at Limerick Station, having arrived back in Limerick from Ennis.
171+162 are seen at the buffer stops at Limerick Station having worked the 20:20 evening departure from Ennis. To date, No.171 was the last remaining 141 Class loco in regular use on Irish Rail. 171+162 are seen working multiple at Limerick Station having brought in the 20:20 service from Ennis. 2700 Class diesel railcar No.2720 stands at Limerick Station prior to forming a service to Limerick Junction. On the left is another 2700 railcar. The way ahead as reflected on the front window of 2700 Class railcar No.2720 at Limerick Station.
No.2751 prepares to depart Limerick Station on a service to either Ennis or Ballybrophey. No.2719 passes colour light LK26, one of the type installed during the early 1970s with the CTC introduction in the Limerick area. The old Irish Rail sign complete with IR point logo, attached to the disused container gantry opposite Limerick Station. 141 Class locomotives 146+141 are seen stabled outside Limerick Works, just east of the passenger station. Both these locos have since been preserved.
2700 Class railcar No.2713 heads past Limerick Works on an eastbound service away from the city. The Waterford & Limerick Railway works, established here in the late 1850s. The works currently services both locomotives and railcars, as well as freight wagons. View looking towards Foynes (left track) and Castlemungret (right track) at the south side of the works at Limerick. Both these lines are now disused. 141 Class locomotives Nos.171+152 stand at Limerick Station having arrived on an Irish Railway Record Society tour from Dublin, consisting of Mk3 coaching stock.
Sister loco No.177 approaches the platforms at Limerick as it prepares to shunt out the stock of the IRRS special at the station. In the background is the former railway goods shed, now used by road traffic. The Limerick Station pilot/shunter, No.177, stands at the head of the Mk3 stock forming the IRRS special to Tipperary at Limerick Station. Locos Nos.152+171 move out from under Limerick Station's train shed, having been released from their Mk3 coaching stock. 171+152 working in multiple at Limerick Station, framing the spire of Mount St. Alphonsus church, dating from 1879.
2700 Class railcar No.2724 heads out of Limerick Station with a eastbound service. The distinctive girder bridge in the distance carries the Roxborough Road over the railway. Two brand new 22000 Class railcars are seen stabled in the former freight sidings at Limerick Station, the furthest set has its coupling slot open. The signal cabin at Limerick Station replaced the earlier brick built Great Southern & Western structure in the early 1970s when the station area was re-signalled. Two three aspect colour signals at Limerick Station, these date from the station resignalling in the early 1970s. These signals were manufactured in Britain.
A recently overhauled timber wagon, freshly painted red from the nearby workshops, in the siding east of Limerick Station. Seen in its black & silver livery, 071 Class loco No.072 has arrived at Limerick with another IRRS special, travelling over the reopened Western Rail Corridor to Athenry. A contrast between loco hauled and railcar stock within the train shed at Limerick. Mk3 generator van No.7815 was built by British Rail Engineering Ltd at Derby in the mid 1980s. On the right is a combined 2700/2600 railcar set, with No.2716 visible at this end. Seen coupled to 2700 No.2716 at Limerick the 2600 Class railcar No.2609, both of which formed a service from Limerick Junction.
Another 071 Class loco, No.083, stands adjacent to the former freight yard at Limerick, which is seen hosting some new auto-ballaster wagons. No.083, complete with Irish Railway Record Society headboard, now stands at the head of the special from Limerick to Athenry. Two 2-car 2700 Class railcars Nos.2702 and 2724, are seen stabled outside the Waterford & Limerick Railway works at Limerick. The red bricked building behind the units was once the W&LR loco inspectors office. Closer view of No.2724, which carries the 'Commuter' livery, unlike some of the recently repainted 2700s. The 2700s have since been replaced by the 2800 Class railcars on Limerick, Ballybrophy and Waterford services.
One of the RPSI's 'Mystery' trains stands at platform No.3 within the dark train shed at Limerick having been hauled from Dublin by 071 Class loco No.072. Loco No.080 now stands at the head of the RPSI 'Mystery' train at Limerick, prior to departing back to Dublin. The train was formed of the 1960s built Craven coaches. The nearest platform once served trains on the 'North Kerry' line until 1963. Soon to be withdrawn 2700 Class railcar No.2718 arrives at platform No.2 at Limerick with a train from Limerick Jct. The removal of the corridor connection on this unit is quite evident. 2700 railcars in new and old liveries stand at Limerick Station while operating branch services to Limerick and Ballybrophy. No.2711 on the right retains its corridor connection.
Another 2700 Class railcar, bearing its new 'Intericy' livery, approaches the station at Limerick with a train off the Ballybrophy branch. The unit's 'yellow end' has a pointed finish at the roofline, unlike that of No.2718. That cliché shot; 2700 No.2711 returns to the station having been serviced at the nearby depot, while 071 Class loco No.080 awaits departure time with the return 'Mystery' special to Dublin.