Iarnród Éireann marked 150 years of the railway’s arrival in Castlebar with an event at the railway station. John O’Mahony TD unveiled a specially commissioned bronze artwork of a steam locomotive to mark the occasion.
A collection of photographs dating from the 1800s were displayed at the station, including images of staff at Castlebar station down through the decades. The photo display charted the history of the station, with trains that once served the line and customers departing Castlebar for various reasons including emigration and newlyweds going on honeymoon. The display will remain in place for customers to view as they visit the station in the coming months.
The line became a reality following an Act being passed in 1859 which authorised an extension of the Great Northern & Western Railway, which was supported by the Midland Great Western Railway, from Castlerea to Castlebar. Work commenced in 1860 and the line opened to Ballyhaunis on September 9, 1861, while services to Claremorris commenced on May 19, 1862, and to Castlebar on December 17 of the same year.
The station has played an important role in the life of Castlebar from leisure and business travel to darker days, such as the early 1900s when huge numbers of people used the railway for emigration purposes.
Castlebar Station was also famous for harvesters travelling fourth class from Castlebar to Dublin for onward travel to England and Scotland to harvest crops such as potatoes.
Today the Westport - Castlebar - Dublin service is a growing part of Iarnród Éireann’s network; with a new fleet of trains operating all services, and renewed infrastructure from track to signalling. It is a vital link to the west for tourism, business and leisure travellers. Free WiFi is now available on all services, and the service is set to expand next year with the addition of a new daily service from Westport to Dublin at 9.45am from January 2013. Punctuality is at over 97 per cent at present, and journey times are also set to improve from January, by up to 20 minutes in some instances.
Speaking at the event Anne Elliott, station manager, Westport and Castlebar Station, said: “As custodians of the railway Iarnród Éireann are very proud of our heritage and are delighted to mark 150 years of the railway to Castlebar today. Castlebar Station’s role is expanding with an increase in service frequency from next year, and I am certain that it will continue to prosper and serve the community over the next 150 years.”
