Green signal for public trains at Maam Cross
THE Connemara Railway at Maam Cross took a major step forward when it was issued with an operating licence for the narrow gauge railway by the Commission for Railway Regulation (CRR) at the end of November.
The CRR certification enables the commencement of revenue-earning passenger movements at the railway for a period of up to five years from certification. This makes the Connemara Railway the eighth heritage railway in the Republic of Ireland.
Authorised for use on the railway are Deutz LM194 and two four-wheel passenger carriages. This also makes the subsequent change from 3ft gauge to 5ft 3in gauge easier as a proven method of operation is in place.
Work continues reconstructing the railway infrastructure, which has seen the narrow gauge line at the Clifden end removed through the former cattle dock, and the track used to extend the running line towards the Galway end of the site. The track was removed to allow further extension of 5ft 3in track, to allow the laying of a siding through the cattle dock.
Agreement has been made with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) for the purchase from the stored Dublin heritage set of 1956 built CIÉ
Bar Car No. 2421 and Laminate Brake Standard No. 1916, and they are due to move to Maam Cross soon.
Jim Deegan, director of the Connemara Railway said: “The granting by the CRR of an operating licence is a significant milestone in returning trains for public use after an absence of 88 years, offering train rides later in 2023. We are also grateful to the RPSI for agreeing to sell to us our first operational 5ft 3in carriages which will allow us to offer trains when we have laid enough track.”