Tuam

The large Co.Meath town of Trim was first served by rail when the Midland Great Western Railway built a branch line off their already existing Clonsilla to Navan line at Kilmessan Junction in April 1864. Trim was the intermediate station on this branch which terminated at Athboy. The station at Trim was located on the north side of the town and consisted of two platforms, wooden station buildings, a signal cabin, and a large stone & brick built goods shed. Regular passenger and goods services over the Athboy branch ceased in 1947, along with services from Clonsilla to Navan. The branch however remained in use for occasional GAA and cattle specials until 1954, after which the line was lifted. Today only the large goods shed at Trim remains, along with the scant remains of one of the former station platforms, the rest have of the station buildings have long since been demolished. East of Trim the line crossed the River Boyne on a stone built viaduct, now demolished.
In 1993, 121 Class loco No.131 leads a southbound loaded Claremorris to Limerick freightliner train through Tuam Station. This freight working operated only for a few weeks, and nowadays the line between Athenry and Claremorris is disused. ©Colm O' Callaghan A similar view, looking north towards Claremorris from the station footbridge at Tuam. In 2004 the station had a forlorn appearance. A view looking south towards Athenry at Tuam Station in 2003, showing the goods shed and yard, formerly the base of 'Westrail'. Seen at the same location but in 1975, a pair of 141 Class locos, lead by No.160, leads a northbound special train into Tuam Station. The train is passing a Railway Preservation Society of Ireland steam special en route to Athenry. ©Brian T McElherron
A deserted Tuam Station, looking south towards Athenry, showing the up & down platforms and wooden canopy awnings. The reopening of the Athenry to Tuam line remains uncertain. Northern Ireland Railway's 111 Class loco No.111, is seen operating the 'Western Enterprise' railtour from Limerick to Claremorris, formed of the NIR's Mk2 stock. In this view is Tuam station level crossing and footbridge, the latter has since disappeared. ©Colm O' Callaghan Loco No.111 is viewed from the footbridge adjacent to the level crossing at the north end of Tuam Station. At this time the station remained an important blockpost. ©Colm O' Callaghan A 2004 view of the gated level crossing at the north end of Tuam Station. The footbridge was dismantled in the late 1990s. The road is the R332 through the town. The protecting semaphore signals remain in situ, though out of use.
The Victorian Great Southern & Western Railway footbridge at the south end of the Tuam Station. This structure remains in good condition. The detail on the cast iron canopy supports on the platforms at Tuam Station. A vintage wooden CIE era name board on the up platform at Tuam Station, dating from 1970s. The large stone built water tower at the south end of Tuam Station, dating from 1860. The tower trains its large tank.
The goods shed at Tuam, located on the up side of the line at the south end of the station. Until the late 1980s, bagged fertilizer and cement traffic was handled here. The shed is now used by road traffic. The remains of the Great Southern & Western Railway signal cabin at the south end of Tuam Station. Taken out of use in 1993, it was heavily vandalised leaving its lever frame open to the elements. An old loading gauge for measuring the height of the wagons serving the goods shed at Tuam Station. This view is looking south towards Claremorris, showing the rusty weed covered tracks. Visible to the left are the former locomotive facilities at Tuam, located at the south end of the station. The facilities were run down in the late 1960s and were finally closed in 1980s following the demise of the rail served Tuam sugar beet factory.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the loco facilities a Tuam were utilised by 'Westrail', a private company which operated trains between Claremorris and Athenry until 1993. There were once sidings were Westrail stored their rolling stock at Tuam. The disused and now roofless 1860s built Tuam & Athenry Railway locomotive shed at the south end of Tuam Station. There are several disused railway buildings around the yard. The former turntable at Tuam, located near the former locomotive sheds. The table well is now choked with weeds, as seen here in 2004. Once owned by Westrail, this former CIE steam brakedown crane was photographed in a sorry state in Tuam yard in 2004.
In 2004, a rake of vintage ex CIE goods wagons are seen stored at the south end of the yard at Tuam Station. These wagons have since moved to safer location at Dunsandle, Co.Galway. An ex Great Southern & Western Railway 1910 built brakevan, seen at Tuam in 2004. It is now preserved at Dunsandle. A vintage ex Midland Great Western four wheel tank wagon at Tuam. Seen in 2004, it still had its faded MEX branding on its sides. It too was later moved and restored at Dunsandle. This is a 1940s built Great Northern Railway bulk cement wagon at Tuam yard. This wagon remains in a derelict condition at Tuam, its heavy weight restricting any removal.
With the spire belonging to St Mary's Cathedral visible on the horizon, 001 Class loco No.013 heads south away from Tuam with the Ballina to Foynes empty coal & oil train in September 1985. This train finally ceased operating in 1997. ©Jonathan M.Allen