STRABANE (CDR)

PHOTO GALLERY

1963 - 1964

[Source: Jim McBride & Paul Wright]

Looking north from the north end of Strabane CDR station on 3 April 1963. At this time narrow gauge rails and sleepers were still stacked within the station area. Coming away from the transhipment shed is UTA U class locomotive number 66 'Meath' (ex-GNRI 201), built in 1948, on a mixed goods train. Since the last CDR goods had been moved by rail on 25 January 1960 the transhipment of goods had only been between lorry and UTA train.
Photo by Roger Joanes from his Flickr photostream

The original platform of the 1894 Strabane CDR station looking south on 24 May 1963. This platform was used by trains that ran via the Stranorlar line to destinations such as Donegal, Killibegs and Glenties. The sign advising passengers of destinations that could be reached from this platform was still present when this view was taken. The track had been lifted a few years earlier.
Copyright photo from Ernies Railway Archive


Looking north along the Stranorlar line platform at Strabane CDR station on 24 May 1963. This southern end of the station served the CDR buses at this time. Strabane North Cabin on the former GNRI main line can be seen in the distance.
Copyright photo from Ernies Railway Archive


The CDR Strabane station southern goods yard looking south from the station footbridge on 8 August 1963. In the foreground CDR buses can be seen. They were still operating from the CDR station at this time. In the yard locomotives and rolling stock that had been purchased by wealthy American businessman Dr Cox can be seen. Facing north is 'Meanglas' and facing south is 'Drumboe'. The coaches seen to the right are standing on the former main line to Stranrolar.
Copyright photo by Michael Bunch from the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre collection


Looking north at Strabane CDR station on 8 August 1963. The 3ft gauge track had been cleared from the station area. To the right is the GNRI station which was still open at this time. In the distance the transhipment sheds can be seen.
Copyright photo by Michael Bunch from the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre collection


The two stations at Strabane looking south on 8 August 1963. To the right is the CDR station stripped of its rails but still serving passengers who arrived and departed on buses. The GNRI station is seen to the left. The CDR buses provided a link to the train services which at this time were operated by the UTA. The view clearly shows a station in decline.
Copyright photo by Michael Bunch from the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre collection


The Strabane CDR signal cabin of 1908 seen looking west in the autumn of 1963. This cabin was a standard design of the NCC. The CDR passenger station can be seen behind the red van. In the foreground are the standard gauge (5ft 3inch) tracks of the former GNRI main line. The only evidence that here was also a 3ft gauge track is the turntable that can be seen to the left. After rail services had ceased the CDR became a wholly road transport operator. The red van is one of their goods vehicles. Beyond the van one of their buses can be seen. The CDR buses terminated at the station so that passengers could transfer to UTA trains which were still running at this time. The CDR station building with its distictive yellow brick can be seen to the rear of the track, as can part of the footbridge which provided a link to the former GNRI station.
Copyright photo by Pete Leigh from the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre collection


In this view from June 1964 CDR locomotives 'Meanglas' (in foreground) and 'Drumboe' are seen in the southern goods yard of the Strabane CDR station. They were awaiting a transfer to the USA that would never come.
Photo by Carl Marsden


Another view taken in June 1964 in the southern goods yard at Strabane. This line of coaches has been placed into storage after they had been purchased by wealthy American businessman Dr Cox.
Photo by Carl Marsden


Locomotives 'Drumboe' (to the right) and 'Meanglas' (to the left) are seen in the southern goods yard at Strabane in June 1964. The engines had been repainted in the summer of 1963. The coaches seen behind the engines are also in good condition and they would remain so until the GNRI station closed.
Photo by Carl Marsden


The southern goods yard of the Strabane CDR station looking north from Lifford Road on 9 September 1964. Redundant CDR locomotives, rolling stock and rails fill the yard area. They had all been purchased by wealthy American dentist Dr Cox and were awaiting collection and shipment to the United States. Having purchased all of these items in order to recreate a railway in his home country Dr Cox was unable to afford the shipping costs. The only purchased items that survived were both locomotives and the remains of some coach frames. Those items remained in the yard until 1989.
Photo by Roger Joanes from his Flickr photostream

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