Final Days of the Railway

Amalgamation

Derailment at Carricklong Bridge 24th August 1935.

The Waterford to Tramore Line had a remarkable record of freedom from accidents with only three derailments. The derailment at Carricklong Bridge left eleven passengers injured. Two crew members were seriously injured and spent almost a year in hospital. In 1953 a small girl fell off a moving train - the only passenger to be killed in the 108 year existence of the line.

© Jack O'Neil

Derailment at Carricklong Bridge 24th August 1935.
© Jack O'Neil

Derailment at Carricklong Bridge 24th August 1935.

The Waterford to Tramore Line had a remarkable record of freedom from accidents with only three derailments. The derailment at Carricklong Bridge left eleven passengers injured. Two crew members were seriously injured and spent almost a year in hospital. In 1953 a small girl fell off a moving train - the only passenger to be killed in the 108 year existence of the line.

© Jack O'Neil

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In 1925, the newly formed Irish Free State ordered all the 26 railways in Ireland to amalgamate under the title of the Great Southern Railways (GSR).

After the amalgamation there were signs of discontent among passengers on the Waterford to Tramore line.

In June of 1925 it was noted that the pre-amalgamation custom of running tri-weekly excursions for children from Waterford to Tramore for the summer was not happening. The paper noted; "the effects of the amalgamation scheme are being felt in the city as well as Tramore".

Tramore Station, 2003

The railway station in Tramore which now lies derelict.

© Waterford City Council Library

Tramore Station, 2003
© Waterford City Council Library

Tramore Station, 2003

The railway station in Tramore which now lies derelict.

© Waterford City Council Library

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Another proposal by the GSR was abandoned due to protests from regular passangers. Season ticket holders had always been allowed to carry bicycles and parcels on the train free of charge. They were not happy when the GSR proposed charging for this service. They also had to scrap plans to introduce a charge for carrying prams.

Amalgamation Scheme of 1925