End of the Line

Last Day of Passenger Service on Youghal Line

The photo depicts the arrival of the 1pm train from Youghal at the Glanmire Road Station, on the last day of weekday passenger services between Cork and Youghal, 2 Feb 1963. Passengers disembark from the train for the last time and walk along the platform, towards the photographer.

Courtesy of Cork County Library

Last Day of Passenger Service on Youghal Line
Courtesy of Cork County Library

Last Day of Passenger Service on Youghal Line

Courtesy of Cork County Library

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The final days of the Cork to Youghal railway came with the emergence of Córas Iompair Éireann (C.I.E.) in 1945, which had absorbed the Great Southern Railway (GSR), which had in turn taken over from the GSWR in 1924. The decision was taken by C.I.E. to close the passenger lines between Cobh and Youghal on 4 February 1963. However, goods traffic continued to work the line until June 1978, while beet was transported by rail at harvest time until 1981.

In spite of local dismay, the Sunday summer rail excursions to Youghal were abandoned by C.I.E. in 1982 due to a shortage of rolling stock and the continued expense of maintaining the railway line. The last trains to travel along the Youghal line were Irish Railway Record Society Specials with the last passengers departing the seaside station in 1987. Youghal station has never officially been closed and remains the property of Iarnród Éireann.