Banbridge, Lisburn and Belfast Junction Railway

The Banbridge, Lisburn and Belfast Junction Railway was an Irish gauge (1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)) railway in Ireland linking Belfast with Banbridge, County Down. It was built in the 19th century. The line between Knockmore and Banbridge was closed in 1956.

Banbridge, Lisburn and Belfast Junction Railway
IndustryRail transport
Founded1863
Defunct1956
FateClosed
ParentGreat Northern Railway Board

History

The Banbridge, Lisburn and Belfast Junction Railway (BLB) through Dromore opened in 1863.[1] Its line was a branch that joined the Ulster Railway main line Knockmore Junction, giving Dromore a direct link to Lisburn and Belfast Great Victoria Street.[1] In 1876 the Ulster Railway became part of the new Great Northern Railway, which took over the BLB company in 1877.[2] In 1953 the railway was nationalised as the GNR Board,[3] which closed the line through Dromore on 29 April 1956.[4]

The main engineering feature on the line was Dromore Viaduct.

  • Dromore Bypass June 2011. The disused viaduct of the BLB can be seen on the left
    Dromore Bypass June 2011. The disused viaduct of the BLB can be seen on the left
  • The remnants of the platform at Dromore Station on the Banbridge, Lisburn and Belfast Junction Railway
    The remnants of the platform at Dromore Station on the Banbridge, Lisburn and Belfast Junction Railway

References
  1. Hajducki 1974, map 9.
  2. Hajducki 1974, p. xiii.
  3. Baker 1972, pp. 146, 147.
  4. Baker 1972, p. 207.

Bibliography
  • Baker, Michael H. C. (1972). Irish railways since 1916. Ian Allan. ISBN 0711002827.
  • Hajducki, S. Maxwell (1974). A Railway Atlas of Ireland. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-5167-2.
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