[27] The only significant "inter-city" routes are the main line between Belfast and Dublin, which covers services to Newry; and the Belfast-Derry line. If you get in touch with me by email or message me on Twitter, I wont use your contact details for marketing or pass it on to a third party. [2]:184185 Most classes of GNRI locomotive had been built in small classes, so this division left both railways with an operational and maintenance difficulty of many different designs all in small numbers. I use out-of-copyright mapping and freely available online sources for all information on railways and routes. Yes, you can buy me a coffee at Ko-fi which will help with the website running costs, keep the website advert free, and maybe buy some morale tokens. All stations are included, including where theyve been re-sited. Following nationalisation of CI (the State transport company in the Republic) in 1950, many unremunerative lines were closed, and others reduced to freight only status. If you want to sketch out the map, or even provide a KML that would be great. Northern Ireland Road Transport Board formed. Airy1830 Decimal Deg, Right-click anywhere on map and select Create link, Right-click anywhere on map and select Measure, Historic Rlys The first public trains run on 26. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? I dont include every sidings/spur, but rather try to represent the extent of stations/yards and the different routes available. Today, the GNR routes remaining consist of the main line from Dublin to Belfast, the Howth branch, electrified for Dublin commuter services since 1984, the Drogheda - Navan (Tara Mines) line, which carries only freight traffic associated with that mine, passenger traffic having ceased with the closure of the line beyond there to Oldcastle in 1963, and the Lisburn to Antrim branch, now mothballed but retained in operational order for the time being. I have had trouble identifying US builders and some of the UK lines, so let me know if there are errors. End of regular steam traction on CI system. [note 1] Exceptions were the BelfastDundalk and PortadownDerry main lines and the NewryWarrenpoint and LisburnAntrim branches. The railway age in County Tyrone lasted for 107 years from 1858 to 1965 and that main line from Portadown to Derry via Dungannon and Omagh came to be known by generations of railway users and operatives as the "Derry Road". There are also some security constraints imposed by Google that may stop access from far-eastern internet providers or known spam-servers. Im afraid being a free hobby site I cant guarantee the service. Train time: 2 hrs 15 min. A 2-4-2T (JT Class) locomotive is preserved at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra. I realise that can result in a very busy map, but unfortunately I didnt think of that when I started! [citation needed], As older trains became obsolete in the 1970s, the Class 80 slam-door diesel-electric multiple unit was introduced. The GNR's north western main line between Dundalk and Derry bypassed the small County Tyrone town of Fintona, which was instead served by a 1 mile (1.6km) branch line from Fintona Junction station. [27], In May 2008, the Regional Development Minister announced that his department would commission a study, in conjunction with Donegal County Council, to investigate the effects a resurrection of railway services in the north-west of Ireland with a long-term projection of building a railway line connecting Londonderry with Sligo through County Donegal. The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) (GNR(I) or GNRI) was an Irish gauge (1,600mm (5ft3in)) railway company in Ireland. This should reset the next day, but if the problem persists then let me know. This was intended for the Coleraine-Portrush branch, but was withdrawn due to the capacity constraints of a single car. Ireland now has some 2,300km of public railways, all 1,600mm (5'3") gauge (the distance between the rails). CI closed the tramway about a year later. Why are square tiles missing? Used for Spoil trains from Magheramorne to shores of Belfast Lough What stations are included? The Irish Railway System Ireland now has some 2,300km of public railways, all 1,600mm (5'3") gauge (the distance between the rails). Administrative problems at the border were further compounded by increased competition from road vehicles after World War One. NIR operates regular passenger trains along the following routes during the weekday inter-peak: Following the re-opening of the 15-mile (24km) Antrim Bleach Green line in June 2001,[19] which had been closed since 1978, NIR ceased passenger operations between Lisburn and Antrim on 29 June 2003. Also the information that you have provided over the years has been invaluable for those railways with scarce mapping or where only local knowledge can identify locations. In the north west, County Donegal was almost entirely served by two large narrow gauge systems totalling some 300km. Note that I drew it from eye using google maps so it may not be completely correct in all areas. Railway Safety Commission (Ireland) [1 record] Raynar Wilson Company [1 record] Rowlandson, . The last public main line passenger steam train, both in Ireland and Britain, had operated on Easter Monday, 1970. The Bookmark Widget allows you to name and store links to specific areas, so you can easily navigate to a specific point during future visits (using the same PC/ tablet). The UTA was split into rail and road operations in 1967, and the rail operations were taken over by the present company Northern Ireland Railways (NIR). These maps show the pre-1974 boundaries of Northumberland, after which North Tyneside Council became an independent local authority. CI have published a short history of their own. As part of this, NI Railways will begin a process to purchase new rolling stock from 2026 to 2027. No. It has a common Board of Management with the other two companies in the group, Ulsterbus and Metro (formerly Citybus). No, I dont use cookies or collect any data on how you use the website. [30], On 21 November 2007, the Regional Development Minister announced that the investment strategy being considered by the NI Executive included the relaying of the Belfast-Londonderry line north of Coleraine, planned to include new signalling and a new crossing loop, allowing more trains. [14], In 2004/2005, NIR received 23 Class 3000 diesel multiple units from CAF of Spain in a 80million order. I recently got interested in the old railway network in Northern Ireland but had difficulty finding any detailed maps of where the tracks used to be. The Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1948 created the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA), which took over the BCDR later that year, followed by the NCC in 1949 as a result of the Ireland Act 1949. The Londonderry & Coleraine Railway is a railway line between the cities of Derry and Coleraine in County Londonderry, built by the Londonderry & Coleraine Railway Company (L&CR). Both economic circumstances and political interference had resulted in the closure of most of the Great Northern Railway system in 1957. For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk, Application and payment queries can be emailed toema_ni@slc.co.uk. Three four-car Class 80 units were refurbished and a number of locomotives and coaches were converted to push-pull operation with the addition of the DBSO obtained from 'one', to ensure that passenger rolling stock levels were maintained up to the introduction of new rolling stock in 2011 and 2012. Call 0800 587 0912 Railway historian Charles Friel, a member of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, said the decline began after the partition of Ireland in 1921. In 1920, both the route length (3,442 miles, 5,540km [Railway Magazine, May 1958]) and the traffic levels carried were at their peak, but competition from road traffic began to make inroads into railway traffic from the 1920s. If you spot a missing legend entry on the maps then please let me know it should be complete! All railways, from all time periods. Not included are fairground rides (e.g. 50 years of NI Railways is celebrated in April with a steam train (No.131) from Great Victoria Street to Whitehead. The two governments ran the railway jointly under a Great Northern Railway Board until 1958. A combination of the increasing road competition facing all railways and a change in patterns of economic activity caused by the Partition of Ireland reduced the GNRI's prosperity. In 2011, a former GNR Signal Cabin from Bundoran Junction arrived at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway. Can I provide map corrections? PRONI Historical Maps viewer can be used to search and browse seven historical OSNI maps andfour modern basemaps (including aerial imagery). I normally try and respond within a couple of weeks, but if the workload is heavy or I'm on hols it may take me longer. Mr Gardiner said it would be unrealistic for residents of every town in Northern Ireland to have easy access to rail in the future, but believes there is some optimism to be drawn from DfI and the Irish Department of Transport working together on the current all-Ireland review. The Canal map is created by Chris Lowe who has kindly let me host his map. Absolutely Im always interested in feedback. "Lots of people came back from the trenches knowing how to maintain and drive lorries, many of which had been shipped back from the front line and converted for haulage or into busses," Mr Friel said. Instead it proposes a dedicated airport station, similar to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, connected directly to the terminal, with Tillysburn half a mile away serving Holywood Exchange, instead of Tillysburn providing the link to the airport. Sometimes tiles dont get provided. For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit. A new review into an all-Ireland rail network was announced in April to look at the possibility of reviving the golden age of rail travel. This allows complex maps to be served quickly and efficiently to your device. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, A new review into an all-Ireland rail network, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Biden had skin cancer lesion removed - White House, US sues Exxon over nooses found at Louisiana plant. Upon its establishment in 1998, the Northern Ireland Assembly put in place an investment programme costing 100million to bring about major improvements. Learn More. The Northern Ireland Railways network consists of approximately 220 route miles. For the US railroad map, the colour identifies the company that built the line. In May 1958, the Government of Northern Ireland's wish to close many lines led to the GNR(I) Board being dissolved and the assets divided between the two territories. I try and test the website with different browsers, but Im afraid that older browsers (e.g. For queries or advice about passports, contactHM Passport Office. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for EIRE38 - 1950s CIE IRISH RAIL RAILWAY ~ STEAM TRAIN PHOTO Ireland at the best online prices at eBay! Irish Rail (Iarnrd ireann), the state railway system in the Republic has 1,944km, and in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Railways operates another 357km. [17] The first units were delivered in March 2011, with entry into service in September 2011[18], In December 2018, NIR, announced that 21 additional carriages would be purchased from CAF at the cost of 50million, via an option in the existing Class 4000 train procurement contract. Rodney Edwards. On 12 June 1889, a significant rail accident occurred when a passenger train stalled between Armagh and Newry. The railway maps are produced by me (Matthew) as a hobby, as is the website, so please bear with me if there are errors on the map or issues with the site as I try to produce updates. The former station at Newcastle, which was once the jewel in the crown of the County Down railway system, is now a supermarket. [3] The Republic of Ireland government tried briefly to maintain services on lines closed at the border by the Northern Ireland government, but this was impractical, and the Republic had to follow suit in closing most GNR(I) lines within the Republic. If in doubt ping me an email for permission. [48] The Class 4000 fleet entered service on Thursday 29 September 2011. The 1950 closures were the first steps in a plan which was to see the reduction of the Northern Ireland's railway network from 754 miles to 297 miles, a decrease of 61 per cent. Under the UTA's management, the railway network of Northern Ireland shrank from 900miles (1,450km) to 225miles (362km). Purchase of Waterford, Limerick & Western Railway by Great Southern & Western Railway. [26], The rail network is focused on Greater Belfast. The governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland jointly nationalised the company in 1953, and the company was liquidated in 1958: assets were split on national lines between the Ulster Transport Authority and Cras Iompair ireann. Occasionally tiles (square areas) of the map disappear. In 1970, NIR re-launched the once-popular Enterprise between Dublin and Belfast with three new NIR Class 101 diesel locomotives built by Hunslet in England and Mark 2B carriages built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL). Emaildcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk, Call 0800 587 2750 Occasionally a whole region of the map disappears. Can I email you? I try to depict tracks so that you can easily find their location on the ground or on satellite imagery, and I have an aim of placing tracks within the right of way. British Railways network map 1950s. In the early 20th century increasing traffic led the GNRI to consider introducing larger locomotives. In Dundalk at the GNR Works the railway engineers developed railbuses for use on sections of the rural network. City Hospital, Botanic, Belfast Lanyon Place. Despite being out of service for many years, some rail infrastructure is still very much intact. Between then and 1950 17 further 'WT' engines were built, including No.4, turned out in 1947. From the early 20th century until 1948, the three main railway companies in Northern Ireland were the Great Northern Railway Ireland (GNRI), which had around one half of its network north of the border; the Northern Counties Committee (NCC), owned by the Midland Railway of England and later the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS); and the small Belfast and County Down Railway (BCDR). Privacy & Cookie Policy. ( Be the First to Review!) The company operated the line independently for seven years before being absorbed into the Belfast & Northern Counties Railway. As a means of improving timings of its services, Belfast Great Victoria Street is planned to undergo a major refurbishment that will see the platforms lengthened and the curves reduced, together with the addition of a new fifth platform, all planned to bring about the transfer of Enterprise services from Belfast Lanyon Place. But Jonathan Hobbs of NI Greenways believes the development of walking and cycling routes along former railway track beds can help to preserve even the most neglected sites, possibly paving the way for future rail infrastructure. Prior to the major relaying of the Coleraine-Londonderry section, 12million was spent on improving the section between Ballymena and Coleraine. The accuracy of the position depends on your device's capability and whether services like GPS are available. Along the way, you can make stops at Little Island and the Fota Island Wildlife Park. A total of 80 people were killed and 260 were injured in what was then the deadliest railway accident to have occurred in Europe. Engines recovered for use in 450 Class units. For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk. If youd like to provide inputs and corrections then please get in touch. Included are significant features including industries, junctions, bridges and tunnels. Free shipping for many products! These haul the cross-border Enterprise dedicated trains of modern carriages. [12], NIR retained one Class 80 unit (three power cars and two driving trailers) as its sandite train during the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 leaf fall seasons. The GNRI became Ireland's most prosperous railway company and second largest railway network. A debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday 14 May 2007[23] raised several proposals as to how the railway network could be improved: Pressure groups have advocated the protection of former routes, where the track has been lifted but the trackbed remains intact, to enable these to be reinstated for commuter traffic as an alternative to increased road building. The main lines between Dublin and Cork, Belfast, and Belfast - Derry received a fair amount of investment over the years, and locomotives, carriages and services were as good as anywhere in Europe, but rural and western lines received little new investment especially during the lean years of the 1920s - 1930s. Is there an App? A maintenance contract with CAF for these vehicles was extended in May 2020 for another 15 years. Closure of the unique steam-operated monorail line, the Listowel & Ballybunion Railway in Co. Kerry. For over a century this track was the most important railway route in Ulster and the . The Great Northern Railway. Meanwhile, in the North, the Ulster Transport Authority (state owned railway and general public transport in Northern Ireland 1949-67) closed almost 80% of the railway system under its control, and introduced diesel railcars to the rest. It previously passed through Castlewellan, Saintfield, Dundrum and branched off at Downpatrick for Ardglass. The Basemap Gallery widget allows you to choose from a selection of four basemaps. Industry, Narrow Gauge To enable NIR to maintain its levels of service, it upgraded some of its older rolling stock. Stations Funds are currently running low, so any contribution you could make would help run the website now and into the future. The power cars had an English Electric 4SRKT engine recovered from former 70 Class units (except 459, which used the engine recovered from 80 Class power car 88) and had two English Electric 538 traction motors. The limited fleet size has led to services being cancelled due to failures or delays. Closely related to the other LMS 2-6-4Ts, the Ivatt designed 'WT' engines nevertheless exhibited many differences. He said: "It's the first time since partition that there's been a holistic, governmental look at what we have in terms of rail across the island of Ireland. It made the LisburnAntrim branch freight-only from 1960 and closed the PortadownDerry and NewryWarrenpoint lines to all traffic in 1965. However, as it's just me then dont be offended if I cant incorporate your ideas. Irish railways were built between 1834, when the Dublin to Dun Laoghaire line opened, and the early years of the 20th century. You will not receive a reply. Why is the legend incomplete? Between 1949 and 1960, huge changes took place. The last train operates from Kingscourt and the line from Navan is disconnected. [29] The pressure group Into the West, which campaigns for improved rail links to the North West region, has stated that the need for a quality rail service, as part of a larger integrated transport policy, is vital to the economic development not just for the city of Derry but for the wider cross-border region. [47], One of the major projects instigated by Translink was "New Trains Two" (formerly "New Trains 2010"), which saw the purchase of a new batch of rolling stock. [45], There have also been calls,[who?] All railway companies wholly within the Irish Free State grouped into Great Southern Railways. It was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway (INW), Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. Layers include seven historical Ordnance Survey maps (covering the years 1832 - 1986); and a range of datasets (including county, townland and parish boundaries; and sites, landmarks and buildings of historical interest). The remainder was divided between the two state companies. CI had been formed as a private company in 1945 but had been nationalised in 1950. RailMapOnline is a free website that aims to provide an interactive map of all historic railways for the UK and US. There have been proposals to improve the Belfast-Dublin line between Knockmore and Lurgan, enabling journey times to be reduced and frequency increased. The Info Widget outlines the maps and datasets available on the PRONI Historical Maps viewer. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) told BBC News NI it "cannot pre-empt what recommendations come from the review" into an all-Ireland rail network. Northern Ireland Railway Map (Old Routes) : r/northernireland by geeNICK Northern Ireland Railway Map (Old Routes) I recently got interested in the old railway network in Northern Ireland but had difficulty finding any detailed maps of where the tracks used to be. However, there will be errors in my maps, and when overlaying them on imagery and different map backgrounds then those maps may have errors as well. But it does mean I am reliant on Google and when problems occur there might not be a quick fix. "People say there are no rail connections at any of our airports," he said. The mothballed Knockmore line from Lisburn to Antrim, which travels through Crumlin and past Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove, is a notable example. [31] This saw the stretch between Ballymena and Coleraine closed completely for four months, with a replacement bus service. The viewer displays county, parish and townland. These backgrounds were provided by National Library of Scotland, who unfortunately now charge (a considerable sum) for these services. "Actually, all of them have a rail connection - you just can't get off at them. Contacts for common benefits are listed below. The background maps are outside of my control, and you will have to contact the map providers to report a problem. Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818. Yes. However, none of these enhancements are programmed to go to planning over the course of the next decade as of early 2013. [37] The airport has marked the building of a new station in its list of future plans,[38] while EasyJet, which is the largest operator into Belfast International, have been strong in advocating an airport rail link. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. The Government of Northern Ireland, which had a very anti-rail policy, rapidly closed most of the GNR(I) lines in Northern Ireland. Many small industrial tramways are all coloured the same rather than being individually identified. No, only the website at present. [1] Nevertheless, by the 1950s the GNRI had ceased to be profitable and in 1953 the company was jointly nationalised by the governments of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. [40] In May 2009, the Minister for Regional Development stated that a proposal had been received from a private developer, the Kilbride Group, to restore the Knockmore line, indicating that he would be prepared to part fund a study into this if the local authorities provided the rest of the funding. They would have required significant modification to enable NIR to use them, including conversion from standard gauge to Irish gauge. Mon Sep 25 2017 - 01:35. There have been a number of queries about an error message that appears when the Historical Maps Viewer is opened using Internet Explorer 11. The Modern Rly layer is based on OpenStreetMap data. Amalgamation of Great Southern Railways with road transport concerns and Dublin tram companies to form Cras Iompair ireann (CI) = the Irish Transport Company. [11], NIR also owns two 201 Class diesel locomotives, which operate as part of a pool with Iarnrd ireann's fleet, and half of the 28 De Dietrich stock coaches used by the Enterprise Belfast-Dublin service. Dublin - Belfast Train. [8], The latest performance figures[when?] The new border crossed all three of its main lines and some of its secondary lines. The link to the route map can be seen on Translink Website. In Cookstown, County Tyrone, the listed railway station designed by William Henry Mills in polychromatic red and yellow brickwork, was closed to passengers in 1956. No, not at present. In particular Im reliant on my web hosting company (who are very reliable) and Google for rendering the maps (who occasionally have issues). I try and respond to all questions and suggestions within a couple of weeks. OSGB Grid 10 digit Irish Railways adopt GMT and abandon Irish time. You should be able to access the map through any browser on your phone, but I appreciate that some functionality can be difficult on a mobile. Do you collect data on me? [35], Further plans are afoot to double the track from Monkstown to Templepatrick, to further increase capacity on the Londonderry line. Under the UTA's management, the railway network of Northern Ireland shrank from 900 miles (1,450 km) to 225 miles (362 km). One intermediate is preserved at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway. The Help widgethas a guide on how to use the PRONI Historical Maps viewer and a link to a PDF version of this guidance which can be downloaded for reference. They were withdrawn from service in 2012 and replaced by new 4000 Class diesel multiple units. 6502 documents 9205 accidents Updated 1st Mar. "There can definitely be synergy between the two but, where it is possible to open railway lines, that really should be the priority," he said. What's New. If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section. However, the Government has determined that the number of passengers using the airport is not sufficient to justify a station. [20] One of the major challenges that NIR has faced is the limited number of trains available for service at peak times. Formation of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. Try reloading the page, or failing that emptying your browser cache. There was a time when almost everyone in Northern Ireland lived within five miles of a railway station. More than 750 miles of track once linked towns and communities in every county, but. You can create a link to a specific location by right-clicking on the map and selecting create link. [13] However, in 2015, Translink awarded a contract to Windhoff Bahn AG to procure a new double ended multi-purpose vehicle to undertake sandite and high-pressure water spraying, as well as weed killing operations. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site. There is no link to the rail system in Great Britain; proposals have been made, but allowances would have to be made for the different rail gauge (standard gauge) in use in Britain and Ireland (Irish gauge). NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) (Irish: Iarnrd Thuaisceart ireann); and for a brief period Ulster Transport Railways (UTR), is the railway operator in Northern Ireland. The RPSI periodically operates one or more of them on special excursion trains on Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnrd ireann (successor to CI) routes. What time period is depicted? Can I suggest a new idea for the website? These entered service on the suburban lines around Belfast, becoming a stalwart on the whole network. This is a map of North East Ireland dating from 1600. My original aim was to help identify tracks when out exploring the landscape. This article is about the Irish railway. What happened to the historic OS background maps? Let me know if theres a problem and Ill try and look into it as soon as possible. Unfortunately I can't promise any additional services in return for a donation. This might not correct until the next day. NIR's last steam locomotives were withdrawn in 1970. I don't edit the layer or check it, and I'm afraid I don't have the capacity to make edits (my focus is on the Historic layers). For queries or advice about 60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contactSmartpass - Translink. A map showing the rail lines across the British Railway network during the 1950s. The service was operated by the double-deck Fintona horse tram until the line's closure in 1957. NIR network is divided into the various lines, known as; Dublin Line, Bangor Line, Larne Line, Londonderry Line, Portadown/Newry Line and Portrush Line. Let others know about this website by emailing a friend, or share us on Twitter. "While there are many people who would like to see the network extended, especially where there is a clear demand from the community, there's still an awful lot of work to get the existing network back up to full capacity," he said. In the UK, post BR (1948) tracks are identified as a separate dark-grey colour, but this is only for significant additions and every siding/junction isnt picked out. This led to the GNRI to order a very modern and powerful class of 4-4-0's, the Class V three cylinder compound locomotives built by Beyer, Peacock & Company in 1932. Yes, please do. One example is preserved on the Downpatrick & County Down Railway. Electrification of Howth - Dublin - Bray suburban line of CI, as "Dublin Area Rapid Transit" (DART). During the eighties it was apparent that additional trains would be needed. [2] The station closed to passengers on 28 August 1950. Large investment was made in diesel locomotives and railcars and new carriages in the Republic, with Inchicore (the main CI works) working at full capacity for many years. [7] Additionally, NIR has purchased 23 new carriages, via an option in the existing Class 4000 train procurement contract, these are to be used to extend Seven trains from three cars to six cars,which will add much more capacity and will also allow only one guard to be needed on a six-car train, which required two before.