West Clare Railway Video

Slieve Callan, age 117

Once upon a time, not too long ago, there were 27 unique narrow gauge railways and tramways in Ireland. The last of these to close was the West Clare Railway in 1961, a line immortalised in song and remembered by railway enthusiasts as a special railway with more than its fair share of lore and colourful stories which ran from Ennis, the county town of Clare through a unique landscape to the wild Atlantic coast at Kilkee and Kilrush. There it stopped for the next station would have been America!



The 117-year-old Slieve Callan was returned to service on the West Clare Railway after an absence of more than half a century. The locomotive is now running on 2.5km of restored narrow-gauge track at Moyasta Junction. A tenacious local team under the stewardship of Jackie Whelan hope to restore more of the line between Kilkee and Kilrush and have appealed for the co-operation of landowners.

On 5 July 2009 No. 5 Slieve Callan was returned to the West Clare Railway at Moyasta Junction following restoration in England by Alan Keefe Ltd. The locomotive was steamed for the first time on July 14th marking the return of steam to the West Clare railway after an absence of over 57 years. Moyasta’s name is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic “Magh Sheasta” – A Little Stop or in other words, a halt.



The atmosphere and enthusiasm at Moyasta is both wonderful and contagious and the reopening of this historic line is an incredible achievement against the odds and official indifference and obstruction. No attempt has been made by the authorities even to preserve the line of route of this unique National Treasure and C.I.E. started dismantling the track the very day after the closure. Great tribute and credit has to be paid to the team who kept the dream of the WCR alive and in particular to the remarkable Jackie Whelan, his son Stephen and Locoman First Class Richard L. Gair. But even they would concede that the real Star of West Clare is that remarkable lady, who is 117 years young, the beautiful Dubs & Co. 0-6-2T “Slieve Callan.” Long may she steam and inspire volunteer and visitor alike.

For the story of this remarkable resurrection and the remarkable character behind the rebirth of the West Clare Railway see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-west-clare-railway.html

For a full history of the West Clare Railway see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2009/08/west-clare-railway.html

Visit Moyasta:

http://www.westclarerailway.ie/



The West Clare Railway engine No 5 Slieve Callan being driven through Kilrush (Frances Street) on its arrival back for the first time since it was withdrawn from service in October 1959. The engine has just recently undergone a complete refurbishment in England and is now a rare example of a working narrow gauge steam driven engine with a 0-6-2T wheel configuration. Built in 1892, it is in active use on the restored line at Moyasta Junction, 3 miles from Kilrush. Video Time and location. Frances Street, Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland. 6th July 2009.





February the first 1961 saw the tragic closure of the famous West Clare Railway. On this short film we see train Driver, Christy Buggle take the 1952 Diesel Engine on a courtesy return trip to Moyasta Junction. Many of the local characters aboard were captured on this 8mm. film by Henry Street Chemist, James A. Doyle.