West Clare Railway.

August News Letter

The big news this month is that the steam engine will be running on 5 days each week starting on Monday 3^rd. The engine will run on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week until further notice. This reflects the increase in numbers of visitors during the week that has suddenly occurred all of whom are eager to see “Slieve Callan” in full working order.

            A new display of working rolling stock is now in situ – namely, a locomotive and trucks from Bord na Mona illustrating their industrial railway operations.  Soon, it is hoped,…

Steam days over the August Bank Holiday weekend : Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Sliabh Callan pulls out at 12 pm.

All aboard

            It is a pity from our point of view that schools have now broken up for the summer holidays. The success of our school visit promotion has kept the railway very busy this month with only Richard, the fireman, complaining of 5 o’clock starts to raise steam. Even he enjoys the delight and enthusiasm shown in the smiles of the children and a rasher sandwich with cup of tea soon shuts him up! This is definitely a “market” that the railway will continue to follow and develop in the future.

            Stephen, driver & fitter, has begun a program…

New Steam Days: Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. Times: 12 pm to 5pm

Diesel Trains will operate on the other days. Times: 10am to 5 pm

Other Steam days can be arranged for groups on request.

but, like the swan calmly swimming on the water, the feet are working at tremendous rate beneath that surface.

The West Clare Railway is re opening for the 2010 season on St. Patricks Day. All Children travel for Half Price. Come along after the parade for a spin on the Sliabh Callan.

In August 2009, the 117-year-old Slieve Callan was returned to service on the West Clare Railway after an absence of more than half a century. The locomotive is now running on 2.5km of restored narrow-gauge track at Moyasta Junction. Locals hope to restore more of the line between Kilkee and Kilrush and have appealed for the co-operation of landowners.

Watch the West Clare Railway engine No 5 Slieve Callan being driven through Kilrush (Frances Street) on its arrival back in Kilrush for the first time since it was withdrawn from service in October 1959. The engine has just recently undergone a complete refurbishment in England and is now, as far as I am aware the only working narrow gauge steam driven engine in the world with a 0-6-2T wheel configuration. Built in 1892, it will now be in active use on the restored line at Moyasta Junction, 3 miles from Kilrush.

We are open weekends only from St Patrick’s Day (Wednesday 17th March) until the May Bank Holiday Weekend (Monday 3rd May).

We are open every day from May Bank Holiday weekend (Monday 3rd May) until Thursday 30th September.

The Steam engine will run Thursday to Monday only, and the diesel engine will run Tuesday and Wednesday only.

Primary, Secondary or Third Level students can all benefit from a visit to West Clare Railway.

There is ample parking for buses and coaches, so just give us a call or email to discuss your particular requirements.