As of 6th September 1999, the Cavan & Leitrim Railway Website's web and email
addresses have changed. These changes have taken place as our Internet Service Provider has
changed its name from Telecom Internet to EIRCOM.NET.
Our old web address (http://homepage.tinet.ie/~yarpie/clr) has become http://homepage.eircom.net/~yarpie/clr. Alternatively, access to the site can be gained through our V3 Redirection address which is http://travel.to/dromod.
Our email address (dromod@tinet.ie) has now become dromod@eircom.net. Please note that our old addresses will continue to function for the next twelve months.
Introduction
Welcome to the Cavan and Leitrim Railway website. This website has
been produced by
the supporters of the Cavan and Leitrim Railway. The main reason that this
website has been produced is to provide people, both enthusiasts and the
slightly interested with an indepth look at how the Cavan and Leitrim Railway
is being brought back to its former glory after nearly forty years of dereliction.
The Website also has a photographic archive made up of photographs that
were taken while the original Cavan and Leitrim railway was still in existance.
Mainly black and white, these photographs serve as a permanent record of
what the Cavan and Leitrim Railway was like in the bygone era of the Irish
Narrow-Gauge railways.
The History Of The Cavan and Leitrim Railway In Brief
The Cavan & Leitrim Railway was one of the most fascinating and
at one time busiest of Ireland's narrow-gauge railways. Through the accident
of its serving a coal field it remained open many years after most of the
other 3 ft gauge lines closed, and in its last days made use of engines
and rolling stock sent from these other closed systems. But though the
railway had a long career, the predominant theme throughout its life
was struggle. In the early years directors faced hostile public opinion
and struggle vainly to extend their line to the Arigna coal fields. When
the extension was finally built - at a time when the political temperature
in Ireland was rising, the initiative was taken by the Government. Changes
in the constitution of the Board in 1904 led to friction and some decisions
were taken on 'party lines', not always to the best advantage of the Cavan
& Leitrim.
The story of the railway is also that of this little known part
of Ireland and its people. Very human and fiercely devoted to the Cavan
& Leitrim, they sometimes strained officials to breaking point, but
the men's pride in their railway was a key factor after the Amalgamation
of 1925. It was their devotion which enabled the line to cope successfully
with coal traffic of often mammoth proportions in the latest years, long
after the railway would have closed had it been dependant on local traffic.
visitors to this website since 5/8/98
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