Waterford & Tramore Railway --: Closure
The last train runs on December 31st. 1960
By the mid- fifties, it was obvious to many that the end of the Waterford /Tramore railway was near. With more investment in buses and the fact of more and more cars on the road, it was only a matter of time before the closure would be announced. The tragic news came on the 27th of September 1960, when CIE announced that due to financial difficulties they regretfully had no option but to close the railway line by the end of the year. A full bus service would be provided to replace the train service. Many people in Tramore and Waterford protested at the announcement but despite their protests the line was closed on December 31st 1960.
To avoid
demonstrations the last scheduled train did not run. The final trains were the 1.25pm from
Waterford and the 2.10pm from Tramore. Later that day a railcar ran to Tramore to bring
back the remaining coaches.
Over the next few weeks the tracks were lifted and ever yard of track was lifted by May
1961. It is believed that the tracks were placed on a boat and headed for Nigeria, but
nobody knows for sure. The sleepers were sold off to local farmers and the County Council
, who used them to protect the sand hills from further erosion from the sea. A sad chapter
in the history of Tramore had come to an end. A way of getting to the seaside for so many,
for so long was now gone forever.
My grandfather was one of the passengers on the last train. He enjoyed the ride in and out
of town. Like many people in Tramore he was sorry to see it go. He sometimes tells us
stories of those days of the old steam engines in Tramore. I would like to have had a trip
on a steam train. But now that it is gone I can only dream.
We would like to thank Mr. Andy Taylor, a native of Tramore for his help in compiling the local history section of the site.
Researched and written by
Ian Flynn and Friends
Introduction
Early History First Train Developments
Accidents Steam Close
