Inchy Bridge Level Crossing
The former level crossing and crossing keeper's house at Inchy Bridge looking towards Ballinascarthy in June 2020. On arriving here on the way to Timoleague my first instinct was that this had been a level crossing. However, the road crosses the Argideen River on the eponymous Inchy Bridge immediately to the right and there is a spare arch on this side of the river which looked like the railway might have passed through it. However, I subsequently found a photograph of an excursion train on the level crossing which confirmed the former route. Despite this being the only village on the route between Ballinascarthy and Timoleague there was no station here, even though there was space for one beside the crossing keeper's house. Rather, the nearest station was at Skeaf (no remains survive) some 2km to the northwest in the direction of Ballinascarthy where, aside from nearby farm, there is no habitation at all. A strange decision which will not have helped the economics of the light railway. The Ballinascarthy to Timoleague section opened in 1890 and closed to regular passenger traffic in 1947. However, excursion passenger and goods services continued until 31 March 1961 when closure of the whole West Cork system took place.
Location: Inchy Bridge Level Crossing
Original line: Ballinascarthy and Timoleague Junction Light Railway
Photographer: Mark Poustie
Contact photographer: Mark Poustie
Date: 30/06/2020
Image number: 81977
