Longford

Longford Station serves the large same named county town, and was first served by rail in November 1855, when the Midland Great Western Railway extended their line west from Mullingar. It wasn't until December 1862 that the line was extended further west to Sligo. Most of the MGWR station buildings survive at Longford, these include the large two storey stone built station building, original footbridge and now redundant signal cabin, which is located on the up platform. At the Sligo end is the disused goods shed, which was replaced in the 1970s with the freight depot built on the former locomotive sheds on the up side of the station, but this too is now out of use. Also at the Sligo end of the station was a swing bridge which crossed the Royal Canal into the harbour at Longford, which is now long gone.
071 Class locomotive No.079 stands at Longford Station having arrived with a morning Sligo to Dublin service, formed of the 1970s Mk2 stock. Another 071 Class, No.084, stands at the west end of Longford with a service from Dublin to Sligo. In the background is the former goods shed and yard. A general view of Longford Station, looking west towards Sligo from the down platform. On the right is the main station building dating from November 1855. Longford, looking east towards Dublin from the station footbridge. In this view is the signal cabin and freight yard, both now disused.
The name board at Longford, mounted on the station building. Longford was temporary terminus of the line until it was extended to Sligo in 1862. Longford Station plays host to preserved 141 Class locomotives Nos.B142+B142, repainted in their original 1962 delivered CIE black & tan livery, while operating the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland's 'Diesel Do' railtour from Dublin. B141+B142 are seen a little earlier at the east end of Longford while running around the 'Diesel Do' railtour. Attached to B141, the oldest of the 141 Class locomotives, are two vintage oil lamps. Past & present motive power meet at Longford Station as 29000 Class railcar No.29420 arrives at the up platform from Dublin, passing 141 Class loco No.B141.
The vintage steam heated 1961 built Park Royal coach at Longford Station, which formed part of the RPSI's 'Diesel Do' railtour. 071 Class loco No.078 in its much worn orange Irish Rail livery, stands at the head of an Irish Traction Group special from Sligo to Dublin, while 22000 Class railcar No.22345 arrives with an afternoon intercity service. No.22245 forms the rear 22000 Class unit on this Sligo to Dublin service, seen heading away from Longford on a dull afternoon. 29000 Class diesel railcars fill the former freight yard at Longford, located on the down side of the station, while the ITG's special formed of the vintage RPSI stock awaits departure towards Dublin.
No.078, complete with the ITG headboard, was built by General Motors in 1976, and entered service with CIE in May 1977. The former goods shed, located at the west end of Longford Station. The rusty disused goods crane also remains in situ. The disused 1860s built signal cabin at Longford Station, which partially overhangs the down platform. The cabin was taken out of use following the re-signalling of the Sligo line. The track layout, as viewed within the signal cabin at Longford Station.
The lever frame within the Longford signal cabin, when still in use in October 2003. One of the Victorian era token machines, located within the signal cabin at Longford Station in 2003. The cabin also controlled the swing operated canal bridge located west of the station, but this was removed when the Longford branch of the Royal canal fell into disuse in the 1920s.