Dunsandle Station

New Website

2008-03-14T17:36:00.001Z

After nearly two years of lying idle, this website was in need of an update. Whilst thinking about updating the site, it got me thinking about a redesign and that led to investigating Dunsandle Station and the Loughrea-Attymon line in alot more detail. Rather than mess around with this website, I thought it easier to start from scratch-and a new website was born.

http://dunsandlerailwaystation.blogspot.com/

The information gathered was found on the internet, from paper archives and from various books and people for which I will credit as I post each article. Many thanks to those who helped supply us with information and we hope you enjoy this new website.

Information

2008-02-08T19:19:00.001Z

If anyone has any information on Dunsandle Station House [who lived there, station masters etc], photos prior to 1990 or any documentation, tickets etc, we would love to hear from you.

our email is dunsandlestation@gmail.com

New Photo Website

2008-02-07T23:12:00.000Z

A new photo website for Dunsandle Railway Station has been created and can be viewed by clicking PHOTOS/View all photos from the menu at the top of the page or by clicking this link http://dunsandlestation.fotopic.net/

Some photos have been added but more will be added over the coming weeks.

Updating website

2008-02-05T19:38:00.000Z

As you can see it's been quite some time since we posted. Over the next few weeks I will be adding location maps and up-to-date photos. As ever thank you for stopping by and viewing our website and many thanks for your comments and kind emails.

The Engine

2005-12-10T14:57:00.000Z

The engine arrived some months ago, my brothers were busy doing what they do, so when I went home a few weeks ago I took a few pictures to share with you and update you on their progress.

The back of the engine where it connects with the carriage.

Steps leading up to the engine

Thank you

2005-05-20T03:37:00.000+01:00

I would like to thank the following people for there help in the acquiring of rolling stock, and for there information, time and resources…

Colman o Rahelaigh for first replying to my email and supplying me with contact names and numbers.

Frank Dawson and Jarlath Canney for there conversations/letters and negotiations with out which there would have been no purchase of stock.

Michael Kennedy for he’s time and advice and for supplying me with glass for the carriage.

Tim Casterson for he’s time and advice along with he’s donation of he’s 10 ton brake van to Dunsandle, I would also like to thank him for returning the original "Ticket" sign to Dunsandle.

Terrance and Billy Kelly our neighbours and haulage contractors for organising the haulage and running things so smoothly.

I would especially like to thank all our neighbours those that offered to help and those that did help.

Thanks a million.

Xmas 2005 @ Dunsandle station

2005-01-31T03:52:00.000Z

Christmas 2004 at Dunsandle Station

Inside the train carriage

Tiolet area on the train carriage

Tiolet area-needs abit of work

A look inside the train carriage

Unloading at Dunsandle station

2005-01-31T02:43:00.000Z

The first to be unloaded

Foreman Patch

Gently does it!

Gerry, Mikey and Patch

Getting ready to lift from one track to another

Neighbours Billie, mattie and Terrence

The second lift

The second load

Brendan, Willie, patch and Michael

3 Artics arriving at Dunsandle station

Christie looks on

natural light fades

Switched lights on

In position

Neighbours look on

Nearly in

The last lift pulls out

Waiting for the crane to reposition-Time for a well earned drink!

Leaving Tuam 13th Nov. 2004

2005-01-17T01:03:00.000Z

Kiltulla man Willie Collins helped out

Billy Kelly's truck

Jarlath Canney and myself (Michael) on completion

Last lift-plank wagon

Getting ready to lift the wagons

Second crane coming into position

Cement wagon weighing 21 t - was too heavy

Over half full of cement

Finally were ready to hit the road.

Make room

Guiding the cement wagon onto rails

Getting a helping hand.

Lifting the MAX tanker

Took less than an hour to pump out

12T Brake van compliments of Tim casterson

Lifting the Beet wagon

Great day for it!

Beet wagon

Hooking up

Gently does it

Early morning getting ready for the big move.

Early lift

Middle carriage 1633

1st lift of the day!

Billy Kelly -all set to go.

Our neighbour Billy Kelly (haulage man) @ Tuam, Co. Galway 7.30am 13 th Nov. 2004

Burt out brake van

Strapping the boogies

All systems go

2 plank wagon

Restoration needed

Tuam 2004

2005-01-17T00:16:00.000Z

Steam crane

Steam crane

Ruston

Reuston-use to work in the sugar factory

Oil tanker

Turn table

Maurice at the cement wagon

Maurice checking out the beet wagon

Buffer Stop

Brake Van

Brake Van

Beet Wagon

Beet Wagon

2 plank wagon

Brake Van

Plank wagon

Organising and laying the track-2000

2005-01-11T04:53:00.000Z

First Load 2000

A huge helping hand from our neighbour Billy Kelly.

Help laying the track.

Photos from 2000-Before track was laid

2005-01-11T04:33:00.000Z

Old tiolet has been removed. The house has been renovated but alot of work had to be done on the grounds and preparations were made to lay a new track where the old track (taken up by CIE years before) use to be.

Photo taken after rainfall feb. 2000

All that remains of the railway crossing gate that once was...photo taken feb. 2000

View from the Station house looking down towards the railway crossing. (towards Attymon). After laying the track - a gate is next on the agenda.

Photo taken 1998

2005-01-09T21:46:00.000Z

Photos from 1991

2005-01-09T21:41:00.000Z

Websites/Articles/Book & Videos

2005-01-08T15:38:00.000Z

For/Against closure
http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/S/0102/S.0102.198402010007.html

http://www.westontrack.com/history04.htm

You can Purchase IRISH RAIL ARCHIVE VOLUME 2
The West of Ireland DVD Video DVD+RW Video

which includes a short visit to Loughrea, including a look at operations on the last day (the closure of the last true rural branch line in Ireland, Attymon Junction to Loughrea)

http://www.transportdiversions.com/publicationshow.asp?pubid=4728

A Book-The baronial lines of the Midland Great Western Railway: The Loughrea & Attymon Light Railway, the Ballinrobe & Claremorris Light Railway
by Padraig O'Cuimin
Publisher: Transport Research Associates (1972)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0901552003/iunecom0c-20/102-2940720-8131334?dev-t=DLUGCHSTITTL0%26camp=2025%26link_code=sp1

Irish Railways Today-B. Pender, H. Richards-Transport Research Associates-1967-168 Pages
Includes Attymon to Loughrea line
Comment:
"The most authoritative book compiled on Irish railways in the last 40 years, if not of all time! Everything you ever wanted or needed to know. Now a fascinating period-piece, and a mine of information about the Irish railway system in 1967. A very scarce book, but well worth tracking down.A superb book! The “Bible” as far as nearly everyone is concerned."

History of Dunsandle Station

2004-12-20T04:41:00.000Z
Dunsandle Station is located on the branch line between Attymon junction and Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.

It was first opened on the 01.12.1890 and closed on the 03.11.1975 with goods and final closure on the same day.

The following is from the book "The baronial lines of the Midland Great Western Railway: The Loughrea & Attymon Light Railway, the Ballinrobe & Claremorris Light Railway by Padraig O'Cuimin"

Dunsandle, is now a halt, though until 1931 it was a station and until 1926, a block post with a signal cabin. The present layout consists of a single platform with station buildsing on the up side, and a siding, facing to up trains, on the down side; it is protected by trap point and shunting disc. This is almost the arrangement when the line was opened, though there was at that time a goods loop with an extension towards the crossing gates. When the ballast hill was opened in 1896, the spur siding was done away with and the loop extended northwards. An entrance to the hill was made by taking a long siding off the loop at the crossing end, and taking this accross an intervening field with the Kiltulla-Bullan road to the pit.