Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway

Introduction

This closed railway ran north from Ballymena to Rathkenny and Retreat, it stopped short of dropping down to Cushendall.



Dates

  /  /1872Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Incorporated.
  /  /1875Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Carries iron ore from Cargan to Ballymena on the Belfast and Ballymena Railway.
  /  /1875Antrim Wire Tramway Co
Sold to the Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway.
  /  /1876Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Extended to Evishcrow Mine, Parkmore.
  /  /1877Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Extended via the summit at Essathohan Siding (1,045ft) to Retreat Goods. Several mines were served by private lines.
  /  /1878Ballymena and Larne Railway
Act allows extension from Ballymena [Harryville] to Ballymena, alongside the main line, allowing connection to the Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway. Act also allows extension form Ballyclare Paper Mill to Doagh.
  /  /1884Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Absorbed by Belfast and Northern Counties Railway.
  /  /1886Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Opened to passengers to Knockanally.
  /  /1888Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Passenger service extended from Knockanally to Parkmore [Antrim].
  /  /1930Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Closed to passengers.
  /  /1937Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Closed to goods.
  /  /1940Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
Closed from Rathkenny Creamery, the last traffic. Line closed.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.

Ballymena to Rathkenny and Retreat

Ballymena station, as rebuilt in 1981, seen from Translink Northern Ireland Railways unit no. 3002 calling with the ex-12.55 service from Great ...
David Bosher 30/07/2018
Ballymena signal box, just north of the station on the Belfast bound side, seen from Translink Northern Ireland Railways unit no. 3002 just departed ...
David Bosher 30/07/2018
The Belfast-bound platform at the rebuilt Ballymena station, as seen from a Translink NIR (unit 3002) service from Great Victoria Street, Belfast to ...
David Bosher 30/07/2018