Kincasslagh Road Railway Station as seen in Joe Begley’s article about the January 1921 ambush. [1]
The next four photographs come from Dave Bell and Steve Flanders book,’The Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway: A Visitor’s Guide‘. [2: p82]
The passenger building at Kincasslagh Road Station as it appeared in the late 1980s. [2: p82]The view Southwest through the site of the Station from what was once the level crossing. [2:p82]Stepping beyond the pillars which supported the crossing gates, this view again looks Southwest through the site of the Station. [2:p82]The old road and level crossing at the site. The road was diverted to the East of this location. The building on the left is the Crossing Keeper’s Cottage (No. 21). [2:p82]
The undergrowth at this location, (and possibly the garden planting too) has grown significantly in the last 30 years.
These pictures featured at the end of the first article about the Burtonport Extension. [My photographs, 23rd April 2023]
We start this part of the journey with a short time to reflect at Kincasslagh Road Railway Station. The station was the location of the first action in the War of Independence in 1918. The memorial shown below sits on the road at the Northeast end of Kincasslagh Road Station.
The English text on the memorial reads: TO COMMEMORATE THE FIRST ACTION IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE, WHEN THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS RESCUED TWO COMRADES, JAMES WARD & JAMES DUFTY FROM BRITISH TROOPS THIS PLACE ON THE 4TH DAY OF JANUARY 1918.
Joe Begley has written an excellent piece on a later ambush which occurred on 12th January 1921 and the events that surrounded it. [1] That ambush took place in a cutting to the Northeast of Kincasslagh Road Railway Station, known locally as Paddy Ghráinne’s Cutting.
An extract from OSi mapping as shared by Joe Begley. The location of Kincasslagh Road Railway Station is marked in the bottom left of the image. The cutting where the 1921 action took place is marked top-right. [1]The same area as shown on the map extract above but now on modern satellite imagery. [Google Maps, 30th April 2023]The cutting where the January 1921 action took place, Paddy Ghráinne’s Cutting. [Google Streetview as shard be Joe Begley][1]
Joe Begley explains that the area close to Kincasslagh Road Railway Station was often in the news in the War of Independence and this latest episode brought a temporary end to services on the Burtonport Extension. [1]
Looking back through the site of Kincasslagh Road Railway Station. The garage sits on the line of the old railway. The old railway crossing is hidden behind the undergrowth beyond. The Crossing Keeper’s Cottage (or Station House) can be seen just above the vegetation to the left of the garage. [Google Streetview, April 2022] The view Northeast along the old railway from the newer road crossing its route. A road ran parallel to the old railway on its South side. Much of the next length of the old line is overgrown. Google Streetview, April 2022]Looking Northeast from a point to the East of Kincasslagh Road Railway Station. The old railway ran alongside the road on the left side of the picture. Its route has been reclaimed by nature. [Google Streetview, April 2022]
The satellite image above shows the route of the old railway in today’s landscape. Leaving Kincasslagh Road Railway Station in a Northeasterly direction the line passes through cuttings and over low embankments curving first towards the North and then back to the Northeast. Just before it reaches the cutting where the 1921 action took place it crosses a minor road at level.
I have searched a widely as I can and have only found a couple of images of rolling stock on this section of the line, both relate to the same incident in February 1923.
It is difficult to make out the line of the old railway as it runs North on the East side of Crolly village. RailMapOnline.com can be a real help in these circumstances. An extract from their map base with the line shown in orange is provided below.
RailMapOnline.com is able to show the line of the old railway imposed onto Google Maps satellite imagery. The bridge which has been demolished was close to the concrete works at the bottom of the image. The bridge in the picture above is seen between houses across the N56 from the petrol station. [11]
Not every sheet of the 25″ OSi mapping is available through the OSi historic maps portal so for the next length of the Burtonport Extension Railway we need to rely on the 6″ OSi mapping.
The old railway ran high above the village of Crolly. The road rose as it travelled North and by the top of this map extract road and railway were at the same level. [3]The same area is shown the base Google Map satellite imagery used by RailMapOnline.com. The route of the old railway is again shown by the orange line. [11]
On its way Northeast the old line crossed what would have been an unmetalled road aas shown on the satellite image above. That track is in the 21st century a metalled minor road as shown below.
As we have already noted the Clady Canal feeds water to the Clady Power Station. The Clady Hydroelectric Station is a 4.2 MW power station situated in the Gweedore area of Co. Donegal.
“Construction started in 1954, with the station going into full operation in 1959, when it also synchronised to the Donegal 38 kV network. Two lakes form the basis of this hydro scheme: Dunlewey Lough and Lough Nacung are situated in a valley 61m above sea level and are drained by the Clady River, which enters the sea at Bunbeg.” [18]
Both of the lakes were enlarged to create the storage capacity needed to run the station. Dunlewy Lough through the construction of the Cung Dam at the promontory between the two lakes. The Clady River has been partially diverted by Gweedore Weir into a 2.5 km canal which runs across country to the rim of a deep valley which forms the tidal estuary of the Gweedore River. This is the canal that we have noted. As we will see, its route conflicts with what was the route of the Burtonport Extension Railway.
“A 500m steel penstock carries the water from that canal down to the generating station at sea level. … Overall, the normal range of storage is from 60.96m OD (Ordnance Datum) to 63.70m OD. Gweedore Weir has also raised the level of Lough Nacung with a storage range from 60.96m OD to 61.57m OD. … The powerhouse is equipped with a horizontal Francis-type turbine, coupled to a generator with a capacity of 4.2 MW.” [18]
This next extract from the 1906 6″ OSi survey shows the old railway line reaching the Station at Gweedore. [3]This satellite image covers approximately the same area as the map extract above. The Clady Canal runs adjacent to the N56 and from the left edge of the image to the access bridge at the centre of the image follows the line of the old railway. East of that point the line slips away in a Northeasterly direction,, heading for what was its bridge over the River Claddy to the North. [Google Maps, May 2023]The minor road bridge over the Clady Canal. To the right of this bridge the route of the old railway slides away to the North. [Google Streetview, September 2021]The view West along the Clady Canal from the North end of the bridge in the last photo. The old railway and the canal follow a similar line to this point. [My photograph, 3rd May 2023]The view East from the North end of the same bridge. The old railway route and canal gradually separate from this point. The canal curves away to the right and is crossed by the N56. The railway heads towards its bridge over the River Clady. [My photograph, 3rd May 2023]This enlarge extract from the 6″ mapping shows the bridge on the approach to the Station from the West. A level crossing took the line over what is now the R258 and the line ran through the station. The track layout shown on this OSi map extract is not correct. A passing loop was provided at the station and there were also goods facilities. [3]A similar area on the modern satellite images provided by Google Maps. The immediate area of the station has been redeveloped but some signs of the old railway and it’s station remain.The abutments of the railway bridge over the River Clady seen from the Northeast and looking along the side of the old bridge towards the Southwest. [My photograph, 3rd May 2023]The Southwest abutment of the bridge over the River Clady seen from alongside the Northeast anutment. [My photograph, 3rd May 2023]This photograph shows the station throat as seen from the lattice girder bridge over the River Claddy in the 1950s. A road (now the R258) crossed the line between the bridge and the station. The Goods Shed can be seen on the left of the image. A waiting shelter is the next building to the right. The dark structure to the right of centre is the water tower. This photograph was shared on the Burtonport Heritage Facebook Group by Joe Begley on 31st August 2020. [12]Looking East through Gweedore Railway Station before the closure of the station and the lifting of the railway tracks. The waiting shelter can be seen on the left with the water tower beyond. This photograph was shared by Joe Begley on the Lower Rosses/Gweedore History Discussion Forum Facebook Group on 19th November 2016. [13] The waiting shelter at Gweedore Railway Station survived the dereliction of the site through to the present day. This is an undated photograph. It was shared by Joe Begley on the Lower Rosses/Gweedore History Discussion Forum Facebook Group on 19th November 2016. [13] It also appears in the book about the line that Joe Begley co-authored with Steve Flanders and E.M. Patterson. 4: p169]This modern photograph shows the station site in May 2023 as viewed from the West. The Goods Shed appears to have been replaced by houses, the western end of the station appears to be in the grounds of a newer property which can just be seen on the right side of the image. Carefully preserved in the grounds of that property is the waiting shelter noted in the three images above. The platform edge has been retained as a dwarf wall in front of the waiting shelter. [My photograph, 3rd May 2023]This photo was shared on the Burtonport Old Railway Walk Facebook Page on 26th November 2011 with the following comment: “‘An Mhuc Dubh’, the Black Pig, at Gweedore Station – very very hard to imagine, when you look at the wild countryside, that big trains like this used to travel back and forth to Derry every day. We will never see their like again.” [21]Looking West through Gweedore Railway Station before the closure of the station and the lifting of the railway tracks.bThe station name is carried by the building on the left. The wooden structure on the right probably houses a ground frame which controlled the points in the vicinity of the station. This photograph was shared by Joe Begley on the Lower Rosses/Gweedore History Discussion Forum Facebook Group on 19th November 2016. [13]Looking West through Gweedore Station in the early 1970s. At that time the platforms remained, if grassed over. The two buildings noted below are present as is the watchtower, This photo was shared as a comment by Pete Leigh on a post on the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Facebook Group in April 2022. [16] This picture shows the building of which a gable end fronted onto the platform on the South side of the railway station. In 2017, Joe Begley and Steve Flanders commented that this building was still present along with the waiting shelter shown above. [4: p169] As can be seen in the image below it has survived at least until 2023! This photograph was shared by Joe Begley on the Lower Rosses/Gweedore History Discussion Forum Facebook Group on 19th November 2016. [13]A slightly wider angle view of the station site from the East. The building on the left in this image is on the left of the older image above. The platform has gone on both sides of what would have been the running lines where the articulated lorry trailer is standing. [My photograph, 3rd May 2023]The East end of Gweedore Railway Station with Errigal in the distance. This photograph was shared by Liam O Siadhail on the Lower Rosses/Gweedore History Discussion Forum Facebook Group on 18th November 2016. [14]Leaving Gweedore Railway Station heading East. This photograph was shared on the Lower Rosses/Gweedore History Discussion Forum Facebook Group by Séimidh Ó Dubhthaigh on 15th October 2015. [15]This photograph shows Locomotive No. 2 at the East end of Gweedore Railway Station. The loco is possibly running round a train or shunting at the station. This picture was shared as a comment about the picture immediately above, also by Séimidh Ó Dubhthaigh in October 2015. [15]This photograph is my attempt to replicate the three monochrome images above in May 2023. The track ed of the old railway East of Gweedore Railway Station is overgrown with gorse bushes. [My photograph, 3rd May 2023]
Beyond Gweedore Railway Station, the line of the old railway has become overgrown. It runs along the North side of the N56 for some distance.
It seems as though the An Chuirt Hotel has expanded and that its site now includes what was once railway land. The Errigal View Pet Zoo also straddles the line of the old railway.
The An Chuirt Hotel and the Errigal View Pet Zoo. The line of the old railway is illustrated by the orange line at either side of this Google Maps image. [Google Maps, 3rd May 2023]
Immediately to the East of the Errigal View Pet Zoo two larger properties straddle the route of the old railway.
It seems that there were two crossings close together at the bottom of the slope to the left of the road. These can be seen on the map extract to the left below, either or both may have been gated but I have not been able to establish whether either were.
It is possible to see the more northerly of the two crossings from the road close to the Crossing Keeper’s Cottage and I have provided a photo below which also shows the route of the old railway in orange.
The location and f one of the crossings adjacent to Crossing Keeper’s Cottage No. 14. [Google Streetview, September 2021]
North of the Cottage the minor road splits with one arm crossing the railway on a stone arch bridge and the other heading towards Cashelnagor Railway Station passing on the Southeast side of Lough Doo.
The stone arch of the bridge can be seen through the trees on the left of the road as one approaches by road from the South. [My photograph, 24th April 2023]The bridge parapets seen from the East. [My photograph, 24th April 2023]The South face of the structure seen from the Southwest corner. [My photograph, 24th April 2023]Looking South over the bridge parapets back towards Lough Trusk. [My photograph, 24th April 2023]Looking North over the bridge parapets. The railway cutting is overgrown. [My photograph, 24th April 2023]The railway continues North on the West side of Lough Doo. The 25″ OSi mapping is still unavailable for this length of the line on-line. This is the 6″ OSi mapping of 1906. When we reach Cashelnagor we will be able once again to view the 25″ mapping. [3]This satellite image covers much the same area as the map extract above. Both the old railway route and the present day road can be seen either side of Lough Doo at the bottom of the image. [Google Maps, 4th May 2023]Looking back Southwest along the old railway towards Lough Doo. [Google Streetview, March 2010] This length of the route is in private hands, despite this it seems as though the Google camera car covered the metalled track South from Cashelnagor twice in 2010.At the end of the metalled length of private road, looking Northeast towards Cashelnagor. [Google Streetview, March 2010]About 200 metres further Northeast. [Google Streetview, March 2010]And again, a further 200 metres Northeast. [Google Streetview, March 2010]Cashelnagor Railway Station comes into sight on the horizon. [Google Streetview, March 2021]Cashelnagor Railway Station features towards the top of this 1906 6″ OSi map extract. [3]Cashelnagor Railway Station as shown on the 25″ OSi mapping. It had reasonably substantial buildings, both passenger and goods, and stood in a remote position high in the moorland if Co. Donegal. [3]The station site as it appears on Google Earth. In 2923, the passenger facilities have been restored and now provide a unique holiday rental property. The outline of the old goods shed is still marked [Google Earth, May 2023]Looking back to the Southwest along the line of the old railway from the road outside Cashelnagor Railway Station. [My photograph, 24th April 2023]Cashelnagor Railway Station as it appeared in 2010. [Google Streetview, March 2010]
The next few photographs show Cashelnagor Railway Station as it appeared in the late 1980s/early 1990s.
The four monochrome photos above are courtesy of Steve Flanders and Dave Bell and are used with the kind permission of Jim McBride acting on behalf of the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre. [2]
Joe Begley very kindly sent this next series of photos by email. They represent the condition of the buildings in 2004.
Dave Bell & Steve Flanders; Donegal’s Railway Heritage Guide No. 2, The Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway: A Visitor’s Guide to the old railway and all the bits that can still be seen; County Donegal Restoration Society, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal, 198…
Joe Begley, Steve Flanders & E.M. Patterson; The Lough Swilly Railway: Revised Edition; Colourpoint Books, Newtownards, 2017.
Joe Begley very kindly sent me a number of photographs as attachments to an email which were taken during the preparation of the book immediately above.
Roger Farnworth 