Rails through Wexford

THIS is the fifth book the authors have collaborated on, using principally the photographs of Barry Carse, and looks at the lines that served County Wexford. It covers the era from the end of steam in the early 1960s through to the present day through more than 180 images.

The book chronicles the rich variety of trains that operated through the county, from Gaelic Football and Knock specials, to long boat trains heading for Rosslare.

The evolution of freight from loose coupled goods to bagged and fertiliser block trains and, of

course, the sugar beet that was the mainstay of traffic on the South Wexford until its sudden demise in 2005. In the era of

A, B and C classes, we see long passenger trains with Laminates, Park Royals, Cravens and Mk.2 carriages.

The book tells the story, with well-sourced images, of the North Wexford line, which closed from Macmine Junction (on the Dublin and South

Eastern route to Rosslare Harbour) in February 1963, and how the remaining freightonly section from New Ross to Waterford survived on a diet of mainly cement and fertiliser trains until 1995. It also chronicles the still-open route to Wexford and Rosslare Harbour, showing its transition from a busy route with long locomotive-hauled trains connecting direct to boats on the pier at Rosslare Harbour to the remote railcar-served halt that exists today at Rosslare.

A comprehensive chapter looks at how the sugar beet traffic on the South Wexford evolved over the years from loose coupled goods loaded at individual stations to the

busy central loading point at Wellington Bridge, where all sugar beet traffic was concentrated from 1984, with photographs taking advantage of the autumnal and winter light.

Fortunately, the South Wexford route is still intact and is likely to reopen. While it slumbers, this book shows the variety of trains that have used it since closure. It is highly recommended. HS

Published by Colourpoint Books blackstaffpress.com

152 pages, softback. £20