Maynooth

Maynooth, Co.Kildare, well known for its university, was first served by rail when the Midland Great Western Railway opened their main line from Broadstone, Dublin, to here in June 1848, with passengers having to transfer to the Royal Canal to Mullingar until the extension to that town was opened later in November. Surprisingly for such a large town, Maynooth Station was actually closed in 1947, but remained a block post retaining its signal cabin and passing loop. These were taken out of use in the late 1970s, but were reinstated shortly afterwards in 1981 when the new commuter service to Maynooth began running. The reopening of the station resulted in the demolition of the original single storey MGWR station building, but the MGWR signal cabin, platforms and station masters house remained.

In 2000, the single line section from Maynooth to Clonsilla was re-doubled having been singled by the Great Southern Railway in 1931. This also brought about upgrading of the signalling, but the signal cabin remained the CTC fringe cabin until it was extended all the way to Sligo in 2005. Maynooth Station also gained a new modern booking office, complete with a glass edifice, along with platform extensions.
071 Class locomotive No.072 stands at the west end of Maynooth Station while operating an afternoon Dublin to Sligo service, consisting of the 1970s Mk2 coaching stock. Seen shortly before all Sligo line services were taken over by diesel railcars, 071 Class loco No.076 arrives into the up platform at Maynooth Station with a morning Sligo to Dublin service, passing 29000 Class railcar No.29428, which is forming a stopping service to Dublin Pearse. 29000 Class diesel railcars operate on nearly all Maynooth line commuter services. Here, units Nos.29105 & 29429 are seen together at the east end of Maynooth Station, the latter operating a service to Dublin Connolly. With the autumn leaves on the platform, No.29405 stands at the down platform at Maynooth. Built by CAF of Spain and entering service with Irish Rail in 2003, it is seen forming the rear unit of 4-car 29000 Class set to Dublin.
071 Class locomotive No.079 stands at the east end of Maynooth Station on the morning 8:55 Sligo to Dublin service, formed of the soon to be withdrawn Mk2 coaching stock. No.079 was built by General Motors at La Grange Illinois USA in 1976, entering service the following year. The new order on the Sligo line sees 22000 Class railcar No.22004 standing with the morning Sligo to Dublin service at Maynooth. These railcars displaced the locomotive hauled Mk2 stock. A contrast in rolling stock; Inspection car No.721 heads west through Maynooth Station, passing 29000 Class railcar No.29104, which is forming a service to Dublin Pearse. 22000 Class railcar No.22020 stands beside the Victorian era Midland Great Western Railway signal cabin, located on the up platform at Maynooth Station. The cabin constrasts sharply with the modern booking office behind.
29000 Class No.29424 heads away from the up platform at Maynooth Station, forming a service to Sligo. Beyond Maynooth the Sligo line becomes single track, the one time double track having been removed by the Great Southern Railway in 1931. 071 Class loco No.076 stands at the down platform at Maynooth Station while awaiting the road west to Enfield with the morning Dublin North Wall to Sligo empty timber train. This timber traffic to Sligo has unfortunately since ceased. Dating from 1974, track recording car EM50 is seen arriving at Maynooth Station from Enfield, clearing the road west for loco 076 and its timber train. 22000 Class railcar No.22005 makes a modern sleek appearance at Maynooth Station while leading a morning Dublin to Sligo service. These units were built by Rotem of South Korea.
Running alongside the Royal Canal west of Maynooth is Irish Rail's annual weed spraying train, with 071 Class loco No.079 in charge, seen approaching Jacksons Bridge. This is the now disused signal cabin at Maynooth Station, located on the up platform. It is a typical Midland Great Western Railway design. The large brick built station masters house at Maynooth, located on the down side of the line. The building is now a private residence. The view looking towards Dublin from the end of Maynooth's up platform, showing the gradient at the east end of the station. The Royal Canal remains level out of view to the left.
From 1995 onwards, the then new 2600 Class railcars began operating on the Maynooth line commuter services. A mural of one such unit could be seen on the up platform at Maynooth, depictng a railcar in the original orange & black 'Arrow' livery.