Oldest Irish railway photos

[GSWR 90]

The Broad Gauge Society (the 7’ broad gauge, not our one!) recently posted this on their excellent Facebook page, accompanied by the photo attached:

“Taken at Cheltenham shed in the late 1840s. On the left, 'Star' class 2-2-2 Polar Star has not yet had its frames and boiler lengthened by 2'0", which happened in 1849. Second is 'Pyracmon' class 0-6-0 Alligator. On the right is 'Sun' class 2-2-2 Javelin.

The photo was possibly taken by GWR employee Hugh Owen, a close friend of photography pioneer Henry Fox Talbot, and is among the earliest railway photographs ever taken.”

So the earliest British railway photos were likely from the 1840s. Does anyone know of any contenders for the oldest Irish railway photos?

 

[jhb171achill]

I believe the oldest is at Clonmel about 1850, showing a man in a tiop hat, as far as I recall, standing under the railway bridge with a loco int he background. There is another, probably the 2nd oldest, showing a very early MGWR train at (I think) Castlebar, which seems only to have had one platform then.

[Killian Keane]

17 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

I believe the oldest is at Clonmel about 1850, showing a man in a tiop hat, as far as I recall, standing under the railway bridge with a loco int he background. There is another, probably the 2nd oldest, showing a very early MGWR train at (I think) Castlebar, which seems only to have had one platform then.

I was thinking the same thing, featuring one of the first series of W&LR express locos, a Stothert and Slaughter outside cylinder 2-2-2, a class definitely on my 'to model' list!

Ernie Shepherd, in his book on the WLWR states the drawing I attach is incorrect in as much as the rear carrying wheels should apparently have outside bearings, but doesnt provide a source, would anyone know what this is in reference to?

Edited yesterday at 18:43 by Killian Keane

[Westcorkrailway]

Kinsale railway “cutting of the sod” ceremony 1859

[Mol_PMB]

2 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

Kinsale railway “cutting of the sod” ceremony 1859

A very fine display of millinery!

[jhb171achill]

Those are locomotive chimneys….

[Mol_PMB]

7 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

Those are locomotive chimneys….

Well I'm sure the gentlemen wearing them were spouting a lot of hot air, anyway!

Some of the ladies have got their best headgear on too.

[Galteemore]

the quality of turnout does make me think that these are actually Dubliners on an excursion rather than locals   

Edited 8 hours ago by Galteemore

[Westcorkrailway]

There is a lot of Info in this photograph dug up by local historian Fergal Browne.

The photo was taken on July 4th 1859 at 12.30pm. It was taken at Clashmore - near Kinsale Workhouse - now the hospital. The two gentlemen with the tall hats and moustaches are Lt. Col N.Ludlow Beamish - Chairman is the Railway and H.William Woods - Secretary. The photo was taken by Mr. Haines, an amateur photographer.

 

‘Mr. Haines, a photographic amateur of considerable ability, next proceeded to place his instruments for the purpose of taking some views of the scene…. After a good deal of trouble in arranging the group properly – inducing timid young ladies to take their places in the foreground, and moving back some young gentlemen who were evidently determined that their ornamental features and figures should not be omitted, several views were taken from different positions’.

 

While I’d agree there is probobly very few locals here. I suspect anyone who isint local is from London/UK!

[LNERW1]

1 hour ago, Westcorkrailway said:

"...The two gentlemen with the tall hats and moustaches..."

Which two? I spy about five moustaches and 15 hats, im sure the centre of that venn diagram has more than two in it! A true historical mystery.

Edited 5 hours ago by LNERW1

[derek]

2 hours ago, LNERW1 said:

Which two? I spy about five moustaches and 15 hats, im sure the centre of that venn diagram has more than two in it! A true historical mystery.

Well obviously, the guy with the shovel (turning the sod?) and the fella to the right of him.

[Westcorkrailway]

1 hour ago, derek said:

Well obviously, the guy with the shovel (turning the sod?) and the fella to the right of him.

Yes those 2 lads. 
 

Interestingly, as the railway closed in 1931. This is only one of very few photographs of the Kinsale Line that are findable on the internet! I suspect collections of British officers who took up photography while stationed in the area. This method has uncovered photographs of the re-opening of the passage line post narrow gauge-ification 

 

 

 

 

anyhow. I’d love to see anymore absolutely ancient photographs of Irish railways 

Edited 1 hour ago by Westcorkrailway