Waterford

Waterford Station is in fact located in Co.Kilkenny on the north side of the River Suir, with the actual major town of Waterford on the south bank of the river linked by a long road bridge. Waterford was once a major railway centre, to which I briefly mention. The GSWR constructed line from Dublin to Waterford opened in the 1850s, the western approach of this line to the station was then joined by the Waterford & Limerick's cross country line from Limerick City. In 1878, the Waterford Dungarvan & Lismore Railway opened their line west from Mallow to Waterford also. From the east, the DWWR constructed their line from Dublin via New Ross in 1904, and finally in 1906 the GSWR opened their joint GWR line from Rosslare Harbour to Waterford. There was also an entirely separate line in Waterford city serving Tramore. With five different lines converging on Waterford, the GSWR station was reconstruction in 1904/6, with the addition of bay platforms at either end of the station and a newly constructed elevated Waterford Central signal cabin.

The Tramore line was the first to close in 1961. The DWWR line from Dublin via New Ross closed in 1963, but remained in use for freight as far as New Ross until the early 1990s. The line from Mallow and Dungarvan closed in 1967, but the section to Dungarvan remained in use to serve Ballinacourty magnesite plant until 1982, with the last train traversing the line in May 1990 and it was lifted in the late 1990s. Passenger services over the 'South Wexford' route to Rosslare were withdrawn in September 2010.

Only the lines from Dublin and Limerick remain in regular use today. Trains either call or terminate at the already mentioned 1906 built GSWR station in Waterford. Only the bay platforms at the west side of the station remain, the eastern bays having been removed following modernisation by CIE in the late 1960s, which also resulted in much of the GSWR buildings been demolished and replaced by a somewhat dull 1960s structure, due for demolition also. The large Waterford Central signal cabin at the west end of the station remains in use, and is the only elevated signal cabin left in Ireland. The station retains its main single platform, which has two faces at either end of the station, these been platform 4 and 3.
In 2002, 201 Class locomotive No.222 takes an evening Waterford to Dublin service out of Waterford, seen passing beneath the well known elevated Waterford Central signal cabin. An earlier view sees Mk3 pushpull trailer No.6104 leading a train into Waterford, propelled by loco No.222. The mechanical semaphore signals remain in operation around the Waterford area; example signal the middle is mounted on a modern gantry. The elevated Waterford Central signal cabin, which dates from 1906 following the expansion of Waterford Station by the Great Southern & Western Railway. The impressive lever frame within the elevated Waterford Central signal cabin, with plenty of bells and block instruments.
Another view of the neat lever frame inside Waterford Central signal cabin. The central cabin was one of three located in the station area. One of the token machines inside Waterford Central signal cabin, which can release signal tokens to Wateford West, Abbey Jct and the Barrow Bridge cabins. Waterford Station name board, complete with 1990s style Irish Rail 'point' logos. Behind can be seen part of the 1906 GSWR constructed brick station building and canopies. 181/141 class locomotives Nos.190+152 stand at Waterford Station having just arrived on the Irish Traction Group's 'Docklands Pioneer' railtour from Dublin. No.190, which dates from 1966, has since been preserved by the ITG and is now based at Moyasta, Co.Clare.
Locos Nos.152+190 prepare to run around the ITG's 'Docklands Pioneer' railtour' to Limerick Jct at western end of Waterford Station. No.152 has also since been preserved by the ITG, and was built by General Motors in 1962. 141 Class loco No.170 stands at Waterford Station on Ian Walsh's 'Boat Train' railtour from Limerick to Rosslare. No.170 has since been withdrawn and scrapped. 2700 Class diesel railcar No.2705 stands at the bay platform at Waterford Station prior to forming a service to Limerick. Railcars, both commuter and intercity types, nowadays form all passenger services to and from Waterford. 201 Class locomotive No.217 in silver & green 'Intercity' livery, stands at Waterford Station having brough in the 11:30 service from Dublin Heuston.
Loco No.217 passes beneath Waterford Central signal cabin at the west end of the station. Loco No.217 was built by General Motors at London, Ontario, Canada, in 1995. One of the old platform number boards is seen at the No.4 platform at Waterford Station, which is a mix of early and mid 20th century architecture. When Waterford Station was rationalised in the mid 1960s, some of the mechanical signalling was replaced. Here a 1960s CIE ground colour light signal and a cabinet box, are seen at Waterford. The view on a dull afternoon from Waterford Central signal cabin, with the western bay platforms on the right, the furthest of which is no longer used.
The brick built support that holds up Waterford Central signal cabin, complere with signal wires, rodding and pulleys. 071 Class loco No.078 is seen running around the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland's 'Comeragh Railtour', while on the left a 22000 Class railcar awaits departure for Dublin. 141 Class locomotives Nos.171+141 now stand at the head of the RPSI's 'Comeragh Railtour' at Waterford Station. Both locos was built by GM at La Grange Illinois works, USA, in 1962. An Irish Railway Record Society special, formed of a 2800 Class railcar with No.2815 leading, is seen at the station having traversed the now disused Waterford to Rosslare line.
Approaching Waterford Station from the west are 2700 Class railcar units Nos.2726+2723, forming a Limerick to Rosslare Harbour service. Behind can be seen an empty rake of timber wagons, having been unloaded earlier. Railcar No.2726 leads this evening service to Rosslare Harbour, seen departing Waterford Station. This service over the South Wexford line has since been withdrawn. No.2723 is seen on the rear of the evening bound Rosslare Harbour service. This end of the station was once controlled by Waterford East cabin, sited beyond the bridge. Seen in the early 1970s, this was Waterford East signal cabin, which controlled the eastern approach to the station. Taken out of use in the 1980s, it was demolished in the early 90s. To the left are the lines leading to Rosslare and New Ross. ©Barry Carse