The railway at Nenagh opened 05/10/1863 as part of the Great Southern and Western Railway (G.S.W.R.) railway line that linked Limerick and Ballybrophy. Nenagh Railway Station has always had a significant role to play in the towns history. It saw the local diaspora leave for work elsewhere and goods of all sorts being brought into the town. It had its own hierarchy amongst the staff from the Permanent Way men, to the Signal men, the Goods office and Ticket office and ultimately the all seeing Station master. Not forgetting the goods train driver who would remove wagons from Nenagh and bring them up from Limerick to either Roscrea or Ballybrophy. All were part of this fiefdom. At one time separate pens and sidings held cattle awaiting transport in the wooden cattle-wagons, trucks backed up to the goods shed to be loaded with whatever produce had been sent by rail....some delivered by combustion engine, others by horse and draycart to people and shops around the town. Occasionally wicker baskets would arrive on the Dublin train with racing pigeons waiting to be released. A spectacle for a railway child to watch their release and all this entertainment for free. You could never be bored at the station.....

Two postcards of pictures taken at different times, of a busy station with Newspaper Kiosks visible on both Up and Down platforms. All connected by a wooden bridge which was later replaced by the still existing metal bridge. The porters trolley visible by the stairs used to be stored underneath the bridge. The metal enamel signs would later form the roof of one of the employee's shed. You can also see behind the footbridge the corrugated iron shelter for anyone removing produce directly from a goods carriage.

A busy platform waiting for the Dublin Train

In this photo from 11/06/1934, local families bid farewell to their men on the way to Wolverhampton to learn how to use machinery for the new Aluminium Factory in town. Notice the young lad in the plimsolls selling newspapers and treats for those who wished to avail. He has been given a Railway cap so officially he is a member of staff.

The footbridge steps - as good a place as any to take a group photograph before embarking on a journey. This group are the trainees selected to go to Wolverhampton for the Castle Brand Aluminium Factory

The signal box in it's heyday (19/03/1975). Watching the levers being pulled with the aid of a T-towel, the ringing of the bell, charging the lamps and the billycans on the ever-lit stove. Gradually most of the levers were removed and the cabin is now boarded up

Nenagh Station in bloom. A welcome sight to anyone returning by train, to be greeted by beautifully maintained flower beds giving one a sense of pride as you puffed out your chest to onward travelling passengers as you alighted

Engine No B191 (EMD Class) for passengers to Dublin, changing at Ballybrophy. Getting on the Supertrain to Dublin was a marked difference to the clickety-clack and individual compartments and sliding doors of this branch line

Proposal to build an extension to the G.S.W.R. line to Nenagh and Shannon - (Mining Journal 16/08/1845)

Incarcerated in Nenagh Gaol 22/07/1850 for travelling without a ticket - 14 days each. Nenagh Station has yet to be built

Railwayiana

The Railway men

The Railyard

The Goods shed with the cattle wagons opposite on the left. There was a shelter that ran from the Goods shed to enable the dry movement of produce from the goods wagons. In later years there was a crane capable of moving containers and heavy machinery but this was later moved to Roscrea. 

Two rows of Goods wagons and brake-van's on the livestock sidings

The old engine shed, water pump and turntable. Sadly the engine shed was demolished and the pump was removed and is now to be found in what remains of the entrance to the station

this photo circa 1996 - Engine Shed left in a similar state to the Military Barracks, this is the building before it was demolished 

Photo by Andrew Gray circa 1992

A wet day in Nenagh and the Trolley loaded with mailbags awaiting the Dublin train. Note the presence of two permanent ways

The Stationmasters House with offices below and living accommodation above. It also had a small private yard to the side