Schull and Skibbereen Railway remains

[Colin R]

Hi All.

Sometime ago, someone on here kindly sent me a couple of pictures of two of the old bogie coaches, which have been turned into homes/ workshops. Around the same time, I found a photo of the third bogie coach in the bushes on the side of the road, and I think someone also came across a couple of old S&S van bodies on a farm or somewhere.

Now the reason for this post is two-fold: 1. I heard on the grapevine that someone has 'rediscovered' the two coach bodies and is going to make some serious enquiries about them.

My second point is that I have discussed this at length with a couple of other narrow gauge enthusiasts, and we think it would be far better to build brand new replicas if the idea was to use them on a tourist railway.

Finally, for now, I was wondering if anyone has been down to the S&S recently and has looked around for any other remnants of the railway. If so, do you happen to have any current photos

[Westcorkrailway]

7 minutes ago, Colin R said:

Hi All.

Sometime ago, someone on here kindly sent me a couple of pictures of two of the old bogie coaches, which have been turned into homes/ workshops. Around the same time, I found a photo of the third bogie coach in the bushes on the side of the road, and I think someone also came across a couple of old S&S van bodies on a farm or somewhere.

Now the reason for this post is two-fold: 1. I heard on the grapevine that someone has 'rediscovered' the two coach bodies and is going to make some serious enquiries about them.

My second point is that I have discussed this at length with a couple of other narrow gauge enthusiasts, and we think it would be far better to build brand new replicas if the idea was to use them on a tourist railway.

Finally, for now, I was wondering if anyone has been down to the S&S recently and has looked around for any other remnants of the railway. If so, do you happen to have any current photos

There was an S&S coach in the side of the road out by kilbritain. Belonged to an eccentric inventor fella. A well known enthusiast purchased it when he died and it disintegrated upon trying to remove it from said ditch. There is a S&S van in the village of Drimoleague slowly rotting away
 

The Cavan and Leitrim have a Tralee and dingle coach in there collection. From the outside it looks really good, but I’m told it won’t run again and there new building one with the chassis of a 2nd one they found., using the 1st example as a blueprint! 

the S&S as it stands now is fairly run over. Being a roadside tramway for much of its route. The road was simply made wider post closure. There are bits where the line left the road, the line here is reasonably intact. The Ballydehob station is private priperty and quite well built on, hollyhill station is preserved but abandoned and schull is in really good condition. In recent times points being found still on the site of the station. 

 

I would be very interested in these other 2 bodies. I’ve never heard of them despiting living down here all my life. Had no idea there was coaches being used for workshops! I would be seriously interested in any information on these coach bodies. 

[Westcorkrailway]

Another one of the 3  schull and skibbereen survivors I knew about, and another one that didn’t make it to 2025. gangway coach had been turned into a porch in this house!

 

[Colin R]

I have been trying to find the two photos and the email that got sent to me, but I can't find them at present. But if I do come across them, then I will put them on this thread