The Cork and Macroom Direct Railway (CMDR) was an Irish gauge () railway in Ireland which ran the from Cork to Macroom.

History It was incorporated by the (24 & 25 Vict. c. ccvii)A history of railway letter stamps: describing all varieties issued by the railway companies of Great Britain and Ireland under the authority of the postmaster-general. Herbert L'Estrange Ewen, 1901 and was chaired by Sir John Arnott and Joseph Ronayne. The engineer for the scheme was Sir John Benson.

Construction work started in 1863. The line cost £6,000 per mile (equivalent to £ in ) and there were five stations on the length.Bradshaw's railway manual, shareholders' guide, and official directory. W. J. Adams, 1864 It opened on 12 May 1866 and utilised the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway terminus at Albert Quay.

The company wanted independence from the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway (CBSCR) which was charging £2,000 per annum for the privilege, so it built a new terminus on Summerhill South road fed by a link from Ballyphehane Junction. Cork Capwell railway station cost £28,000 (equivalent to £ in ), and opened in September 1879. The link with the was severed as the wished to remain independent however they were forced to re-open it by the Irish Railways Executive Committee in 1918.

In 1925, the Cork and Macroom Direct Railway was amalgamated into the Great Southern Railways (GSR) along with other Irish railway companies. The whilst small was modestly profitable and had attempted to remain independent even again severing their link to the rest of the network but in the end their attempts were fruitless.

Powers to extend the to Kenmare had been granted but were never exercised.

Closure

The Cork Capwell terminus closed on 2 March 1925, and trains reverted to the original terminus at Albert Quay. In 1929, the Capwell station buildings were acquired by the Irish Omnibus Company. The last regular passenger train was operated in 1935 and the line eventually closed to all remaining traffic in 1953 when part of its route was flooded for the creation of the Lee reservoir.

Rolling Stock

Locomotives The had five locomotives at the time absorption into the .

No. No. TypeTypeBuilderWorks No.IntroducedWithdrawnNotes1487/G52-4-0TDübs and Company171865Not passed to in 19252487487/G52-4-0TDübs and Company18186519283488487/G52-4-0TDübs and Company235186719344488487/G52-4-0TDübs and Company1505188119285490490/I20-6-2TAndrew Barclay Sons & Co.1022190519356491491/F52-4-2TVulcan Foundry131519141934Built 1891 for Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway

Carriages and wagons

At the time of the 1925 amalgamation the passed on 27 coaches and 117 wagons to the .

Livery

In 1903 locomotives were light green with black and yellow lining. By the 1925 amalgamation they were black with red lining.

Incidents

On 8 September 1878, there was a derailment east of that resulted in 5 deaths and 70 injuries. This incident resulted in significant financial outlay for the company for several years.

Legislation

Cork and Macroom Direct Railway Act 1861 Cork and Macroom (Direct) Railway Act 1868 Cork and Macroom Direct Railway Act 1877 Cork and Macroom Direct Railway Act 1889

Further reading

References