Cork and Macroom Direct Railway

The Cork and Macroom Direct Railway was an Irish gauge (5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)) railway in Ireland which ran from Cork to Macroom.

History

It was incorporated in 1861^[1] and was chaired by Sir John Arnott and Joseph Ronayne. The engineer for the scheme was Sir John Benson.

Construction work started in 1863. The line cost £6,000 per mile (£484,986 as of 2015)^[2] and there were five stations on the 24 miles 13 chain length.^[3] It opened on 12 May 1866 and utilised the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway terminus at Albert Quay.

On 8 September 1878, there was a derailment east of Ballincollig that resulted in 5 deaths and 70 injuries. This incident resulted in significant financial outlay for the company for several years.

The company wanted independence from the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway which was charging £2,000 per annum for the privilege, so it built its own terminus. At Ballyphehane Junction they built a link to a new terminus at Summerhill South. Cork Capwell railway station cost £28,000 (£2,484,029 as of 2015),^[2] and opened in September 1879.

In 1925, the Cork and Macroom Direct Railway amalgamated with the Great Southern Railway. The Cork Capwell terminus closed on 2 March 1925, and trains reverted to the original terminus at Albert Quay. In 1929, the Capwell station buildings were acquired by the Irish Omnibus Company.

The last regular passenger train was operated in 1935 and the line eventually closed to goods traffic in 1953.

References