List of narrow gauge railways in Ireland
Ireland formerly had numerous narrow gauge railways, most of which were built to a gauge of 3 ft (914 mm). The last (non-preserved) line to close was the West Clare Railway in 1961 (though it has been partially preserved).
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge railways
Dublin and Lucan Electric Railway; opened 1900, closed 1925
3 ft (914 mm) railways
Northern Ireland
Operating
Defunct
Railway | Opened | Closed | Length | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ballycastle Railway | 1880 | 1950 | 17 miles (27 km) | |
Ballymena and Larne Railway | 1877 | 1950 | 36 miles (58 km) | Ruling gradient: 1 in 36 |
Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway | 1875 | 1940 | 16 miles (26 km) | 1,045 feet (319 m) (highest in Ireland) |
Bessbrook and Newry Tramway | 1885 | 1948 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | |
Castlederg and Victoria Bridge Tramway | 1883 | 1933 | 7 1⁄4 miles (11.7 km) | |
Clogher Valley Railway | 1887 | 1942 | 37 miles (60 km) | |
Giant's Causeway Tramway | 1883 | 1949 | 9 1⁄4 miles (14.9 km) | Electric |
Glenariff Iron Ore and Harbour Company | 1873 | 1884 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | |
Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway | 1853 | 1953 | 99 miles (159 km) | Crossed into County Donegal, Ireland |
Portstewart Tramway | 1882 | 1926 | 1.85 miles (2.98 km) | |
Strabane and Letterkenny Railway | 1909 | 1960 | 19.25 miles (30.98 km) | Crossed into County Donegal, Ireland |
Warrenpoint and Rostrevor Tramway | 1877 | 1915 | 3.3 miles (5.3 km) | Damaged during storm, not restored |
West Donegal Railway | 1860 | 1892 | 18 miles (29 km) | merged into Donegal Railway Company |
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A Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway station.
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The defunct Giant's Causeway Tramway near Dunluce Castle c. 1890.
Republic of Ireland
Operating
- Bord na Móna (private)
Defunct
Railway | Opened | Closed | Length | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway | 1990s | 1990s | short term tourist operation | |
Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway | 1902 | 1932 | 16 miles (26 km) | 1850: 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) |
Cork and Muskerry Light Railway | 1887 | 1934 | 25 miles (40 km) | |
County Donegal Railways Joint Committee | 1892 | 1960 | 121 miles (195 km) | 1863: 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) |
Dublin and Lucan Steam Tramway | 1880 | 1897 | 7 miles (11 km) | |
Galway and Salthill Tramway | 1879 | 1918 | 2.13 miles (3.43 km) | |
Schull and Skibbereen Railway | 1886 | 1947 | 15 1⁄2 miles (24.9 km) | |
Tralee and Dingle Light Railway | 1891 | 1953 | 51 km (32 mi) |
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The Slieve Callan locomotive stopped at a station on the West Clare Railway.
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Passengers riding on the defunct Galway and Salthill Tramway c. 1910.
900 mm (2 ft 11 7⁄16 in) gauge railways
Cork Electric Tramways and Lighting Company; opened 1898, closed 1931
15 in (381 mm) gauge railways
Bellevue Park Railway (located in Bellevue Park); opened 1933, closed 1950 (park still operating)
Monorails
Listowel and Ballybunion Railway; opened 1888, closed 1924; partially preserved
See also
- British narrow gauge railways
- Donegal Railway Heritage Centre
- History of rail transport in Ireland
- List of heritage railways in Northern Ireland
- List of heritage railways in the Republic of Ireland
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