STRABANE (GNRI)

PHOTO GALLERY

1959 - 1964

[Source: Jim McBride & Paul Wright]

On a wet day in 1959 UTA 4-4-0 U class locomotive number 64 (ex-GNRI number 196 'Lough Gill' is seen taking on water at the south end of the Strabane station up platform. The locomotive was built in 1915 and was withdrawn in October 1961. In the foreground is the barrow crossing that passengers tended to use despite there being a footbridge.
Copyright photo from Ernies Railway Archive


Looking north at the north end of the former GNRI Strabane station in 1959 from the CDR platform. Departing from the station for Londonderry Foyle Road is an AEC railcar towing an ex-GNRI coach. The railcar is wearing a mixed livery. The first two coaches are in the original GNRI railcar livery whilst the third wears UTA green. The coach is in its original GNRI mahogony coach livery. To the far left at the end of the CDR platform the shunting engine 'Phoenix' can be seen.
Photo by John Landford


A view looking south from the Strabane CDR station on 31 July 1959. The GNRI sidings are to the left and stabled on one of them is a UTA 4-4-0 U class locomotive number 65 'Lough Melvin' (ex-GNRI 200) with two coaches. The engine was built in 1915 and was withdrawn in October 1961. The train was most likely to have been a local service to Londonderry Foyle Road awaiting access to the down platform. The narrow gauge lines of the CDR can be seen in the foreground.
Copyright photo from Ernies Railway Archive


In August 1961 a southbound passenger service prepares to depart from Strabane. At the head of the train is UTA 4-4-0 S class locomotive number 61 'Galtee More' (ex-GNRI 173). The engine was built in 1913 and withdrawn in April 1964. This engine was the only original UTA S class never to be painted into the company's black livery.
Copyright photo fron Colour Rail


Strabane station looking north on 3 April 1963. Standing at the up platform is the Londonderry Foyle Road to Omagh service. At the head of the train is UTA 4-4-0 U class locomotive number 67 'Louth' (ex-GNRI number 202). The engine was built in 1948 and withdrawn in May 1965.
Photo by Roger Joanes from his Flickr photostream


In 1963 a group of young people on a 'Pioneer' outing pose for the camera towards the northern end of the down island platform of Strabane station. The 'Pioneers' were a catholic organisation for men who renounced alcohol.
Photo from from Marie Donaghey-Rocks.

The north end of Strabane station seen on 29 July 1963. The northern end of the down direction island platform can be seen to the left and just beyond it is Strabane North Cabin. The lines closest to the photographer serve the former GNRI goods shed. Two locomotives are seen in the view. To the left is is ex-NCC 2-6-0 W Class Mogal locomotive number 104. This was the last Mogal to be built at Belfast York road workshops in 1942. It was also the very last steam engine to be built on the island of Ireland. To the right is UTA 0-6-0 SG3 class locomotive number 36 (GNRI number 49). This engine was built in 1921 and withdrawn in May 1965.
Photo by J D FitzGerald curtesy of Colourpoint


Looking south from the Strabane station footbridge on 10 August 1963. Arriving at the station is the 8.25am Portadown to Londonderry Foyle Road extra service. At the head of the train is UTA SG class locomotive number 44 (ex-GNRI 176). The engine was built in 1915 and was withdrawn in may 1965. It was unusual to see a 0-6-0 goods engine on a passenger train on this line.
Photo by Neil Spinks from the Charles Friel negative archives


A view looking north at the former GNRI station at Strabane on 24 September 1963. The footbridge had lost its roof on 16 September 1961 during Hurricane Debbie. Throughout the stations history passengers prefared to use the barrow crossing.
UTA Official photograph


The ex-GNRI Strabane station building seen from the forecourt on 24 September 1963. The main entrance to the GNRI side of the station was at this point and it can be seen in this view with its protective awning.
UTA Official photograph


On 1 June 1964 UTA 4-4-0 S class locomotive number 60 'Slieve Donard' (ex-GNRI number 172) is seen departing from Strabane on a southbound train. This engine was built in 1913 and withdrawn in May 1965. The engine was painted into UTA black in 1961.
Photo by Carl Marsden

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