Mill at Cross Guns Bridge

[Auto-Train Original]

Another childhood memory is walking along the old sleepers to the closed mill alongside the Royal Canal at Phibsborough. To my amazement I found out later that the mill was rail served into the 70s. Firstly is that true? Secondly, are there any photos in existence of trains on the branch during the final years. Thanks in advance.

[Ironroad]

 I know the location well but do not remember the railway bridge across the canal nor have I seen any photographs of it.

But please take a look at the thread for the MRSI Dublin Show Oct 29 - 31 2022.. At approximately  minute 7 of the video posted by Nick (last Saturday) you will see images of a diorama depicting the railway  access to the Nth City Mills across the Royal  Canal. I'm informed by Wrenneire that this diorama was created. by Michael Delaney an MRSI member.  A picture of the diorama was also posted by Patrick Davey.

[the Bandon tank]

I remember the bridge, and I also remember  H vans up along side the mill building maybe around the late 60s or very early 70s.

[MOGUL]

Yes it is true, myself and Ciaran Cooney had a good chat about it at the weekend after seeing the diorama at the MRSI show.. Ciaran, who is an expert on these things reckons there are very few photos of trains on the branch, but his excellent article on sidings in the IRRS journal a few years ago included a few.. He reckons the track layout in the mill was limited, with a loop and a siding/headshunt down the side of the brown roofed(intake) shed..

Here are some pics I took by way of a photo survey in May 2021, the mill is up for planning for the dreaded buy to let apartments, so see it while you can!

 

The foliage hides it, but the small brown roofed shed has a sliding door on the side that looks like it would have received H Vans:

 

The end wall of the brown shed looks like it was open, and has been covered with corrugated after closure.. not sure if rail sidings ran in under the roof or not

This shot is taken on the railway line side of Canal looking along the alignment into the mill, the parapet looks in decent condition, and a small pillar still stands in the canal for the skew of the bridge.. the bridge itself was an industrial looking arch girder jobby

Edited November 3, 2022 by MOGUL

[the Bandon tank]

As child, I think I remember vans on a elevated track along side the old stone building.

[seagoebox]

There is a very good article in the IRRS Journal Vol 27, no 190, pages 102-109 including a photo of the removal of the bridge over the Royal Canal on 2nd May 1992.

The track was lifted in March 1977