A visit to the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway
The first ever narrow gauge railway video on the channel, and certainly my first time experiencing such railways.
On Monday the 6th of May 2019, I took a visit to the Waterford & Suir Valley Narrow Gauge Railway, this heritage line has been built on six miles of the former Waterford - Mallow line and runs from Kilmeaden - Bilberry just outside Waterford city. A greenway has also been built right next to the line, this makes it the second greenway in Ireland to run next to railway tracks.
The society was established in 1997 with the intention of restoring the Waterford and Tramore Railway, but after feasibility studies this was deemed impractical due to changes in road layouts since the line's closure.
The Waterford - Dungarvan rail route was then explored and agreement was reached to try to restore a section of the historic line. The society laid its first track in 2000 and by the end of 2003 it had laid over 8 km of track from Kilmeadan to Gracedieu Junction. It ran its first public trains in May that year.
In 2004, a further 2 km of track were laid as far as Bilberry. In 2008, the railway carried its 100,000th passenger, and in 2010 opened a maintenance and storage shed for its rolling stock. In 2016, the WSVR received planning permission for a new station building at Kilmeadan for which it is seeking to raise funds.
In March 2017 the Waterford Greenway opened on the 46 km of track bed built for the Waterford to Dungarvan rail line with walkers and cyclists sharing much of the last 10 km with the heritage railway as it heads towards Waterford City. Kilmeaden station is a meeting point with users of the Greenway and visitors to the railway availing of the station's facilities.
The railway is a registered charity operated by over 50 volunteers with the purpose of preserving a part of Waterford's heritage. In 2016 it carried over 24,000 passengers. In 2017 this number was over 28,000.
New platforms have already been completed along the line at Mount Congreve Gardens and Bilberry where the local council has also created a coach parking area. Further halts are planned for the Woodstown Viking site and Waterford Institute of Technology Carriganore Campus.
The society hopes to have a steam engine in operation in the future so if that goes ahead it certainly will be interesting.
Rolling stock consists of three diesel locomotives and two purpose-built semi-open bogie passenger carriages. A number of permanent way wagons are kept inside the shed at Kilmaedan.
At Kilmeadan Station, an ex-Irish Rail grounded MkII carriage, No. 4106, is used as a ticket office and refreshment room.
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Waterford and Suir Valley Heritage Railway Ireland
a scenic and very bumpy ride experience =D
Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Ireland
A heritage narrow gauge railway follows 8.5 kilometers of the abandoned Waterford - Cork railway route, from the station at Kilmeadan into Gracedieu Junction.
1. Kilmeadan Station
Kilmeadan Station was a stop on the Waterford to Cork
railway route. The line closed to passengers in 1967 and the station lay derelict. It was restored and reopened in 2003. Today you can get your ticket in the carriage ticket office; have it checked by the conductor. The guard will blow the whistle and wave the green flag to let the driver know everyone is safely on
board and it’s time to begin this exciting journey.
2. Kilmeadan Castle
On the left side of the train, you will see the ruins of a house. This was the site of Kilmeadan Castle, owned byJohn Power of Dunhill in 1640.
The side of the Castle, which is probably the 18th century and originally contained the stairs, still survives today. It is regularly
used by Cormorants as a resting place and to dry their
wings after fishing in the river.
3. Mount Congreve Gardens
One of the “great Gardens of the world” with over 70 acres of intensively planted woodland garden and 4 acres of a
walled garden. 16kms of paths to explore. From the train, you
can get a small impression of what the gardens have to offer
but to fully appreciate you should visit.
4. The Magic Wood
This is a magical glade where Fairies and Leprechauns live happily together. By day they come out to play and enjoy the sunshine
and at night they curl up to sleep in their little houses.
Sometimes they can be seen among the trees but you
have to look carefully. Make a wish as you pass by.
5. Lime Kilns
As the train exits the Magic Wood, you will see some excellent
examples of Lime Kilns.The practice of burning lime was common in the last century.
Lime was an important commodity in this area and attesting to this are numerous lime kilns, such as these. The wood for fuel was brought across from Co Kilkenny by boat. The lime produced was
used by farmers as a fertilizer and also as a whitewash for
thatched cottages.
6. Carriganore
Carriganore or ‘Stone of Gold’ on the banks of the River Suir
where the merchants of Waterford buried a large quantity
of treasure on the approach of Cromwell’s army. Now site
of the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).
7. Dan DonovanTunnel
This 40-metre tunnel was built as part of the Waterford
City By-pass to facilitate the railway. It is named after the
man who supervised the laying of this narrow gauge track.
8. River Suir Bridge
Travel near the River Suir Bridge on the Waterford City Bypass, a cable stay bridge with a length of approximately 475metres.
9. Return Journey
Sit back, relax and take in the beauty of the magnificent River Suir and countryside of County Kilkenny, across the
river. The plan is to extend to Waterford City and build a station in the City.
Waterford Suir Valley Railway
This video is about Waterford Suir Valley Railway
On Board the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway
A short video from aboard the Waterford & Suir Valley narrow gauge railway. On board the 15:00 train as it arrives back at Kilmeadan station.
Suir Valley Railway in Kilmeaden.
Once the line from Mallow to Waterford closed in 1967. Part of it to Ballinacourty remained open for dolimite and magnasite traffic until Quigley Magnasite closed in 1982. The line closed in 1994 and a narrow guage line was laid at Kilmeaden towards the former Grace Dieu junction towards Waterford.
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway - Part 1
Part 1 of 4
The journey from Kilmeadan.
Six members of the Downpatrick and Co. Down Railway (5-foot 3) visited the Waterford and Suir Valley railway (3-foot gauge) on Thursday 8th April 2010.
They were made very welcome by Maria and all the members and staff.
This little railway is a gem and well worth a visit.
Waterford and Suir Valley heritage railway. Waterford greenway
Train taking off on the Waterford Greenway at Kilmeadan. Waterford and Suir Valley heritage railway.
The Waterford and Suir Valley Railway
The Waterford and Suir Valley heritage railway runs beside the River Suir (pronounced 'shure') for just over 5 miles along the former Waterford to Cork route between Kilmeadan and Bilberry on the outskirts of Waterford. The track has been relaid to 3ft gauge and the two coach trains are pulled by tiny industrial diesels.This video features a Hunslet 0-4-0 and a restored Simplex which in its former life worked in the peat extraction industry and the Channel Tunnel construction in England.
The Waterford and Suir Valley Railway
The Waterford & Suir Valley narrow gauge railway. In this video we see the 14:00 train arriving at, and the 16:00 train departing Kilmeadan station on the 25th of June 2019.
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Part 1
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Train Runby
A train journey along the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Line
A video taken of a train journey along the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Line on 7th August 2017. This is an 8.5km stretch of narrow gauge heritage railway between Kilmeadan and Bilberry which is along the track of the former Waterford to Mallow railway line. The Waterford Greenway runs parallel to the railway line and is passes by the River Suir and Waterford City Bypass. On Saturdays the train goes all the way to Bilberry while on other days including the day this was taken, the train goes as far as Carriganore.
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway - Part 2
Part 2 of 4
The return journey Part 1
Six members of the Downpatrick and Co. Down Railway (5-foot 3) visited the Waterford and Suir Valley railway (3-foot gauge) on Thursday 8th April 2010.
They were made very welcome by Maria and all the members and staff.
This little railway is a gem and well worth a visit.
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway - Part 4
Part 4 of 4
Bits and pieces.
Six members of the Downpatrick and Co. Down Railway (5-foot 3) visited the Waterford and Suir Valley railway (3-foot gauge) on Thursday 8th April 2010.
They were made very welcome by Maria and all the members and staff.
This little railway is a gem and well worth a visit.
Waterford and Suir Valley Railway
The 1400 (2pm) train returns to the station.
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway - Part 3
Part 3 of 4
The return journey Part 2
Six members of the Downpatrick and Co. Down Railway (5-foot 3) visited the Waterford and Suir Valley railway (3-foot gauge) on Thursday 8th April 2010.
They were made very welcome by Maria and all the members and staff.
This little railway is a gem and well worth a visit.
Waterford and Suir Valley Railway Part 4
Fairbrook House, Waterford, Ireland
The wonderful Fairbrook House based in Kilmeaden Co. Waterford, Ireland.