Clonakilty Junction

[StevieB]

At the Bandon end of the former station there was a loop on the down side. Can anyone say what this was used for, as it was not signalled as a running line? Many thanks.

Stephen

[Mayner]

Most likely for exchanging goods traffic between the main line and the Branch, the loop looks a bit short for shunting a goods train clear of the main line, its possible the crossover at the Bandon end of the loop was operated by a ground frame at the points rather than from the signal box. The loop would have also been useful to allow sugar beet specials from Clonakilty and the Courtmacsharry branch to run through onto the main line without having to shunt at the station.

The loop would have allowed East or Westbound goods trains to attach or detach wagons to and from the branch with the minimum of shunting movements.

 

 

 

[StevieB]

I thought it might be something like that. It is interesting that here is a home signal at the Bandon end of the branch, which would allow for trains from the branch to run towards Bandon without going onto the main line. Many thanks.

Stephen

[StevieB]

Presumably wagons dropped off in the loop were attached to the branch train here for onward transmission down the branch and vice versa for traffic off the branch. There is also a siding alongside the loop. I wonder what was its purpose? It must have been a fascinating place to sit and watch train movements.

Stephen

[Westcorkrailway]

26 minutes ago, StevieB said:

Presumably wagons dropped off in the loop were attached to the branch train here for onward transmission down the branch and vice versa for traffic off the branch. There is also a siding alongside the loop. I wonder what was its purpose? It must have been a fascinating place to sit and watch train movements.

Stephen

Ray good who worked the station, and watched all the movements since he was a child is still alive and well. He’d certainly know anything in reaction to the junction

 

presumably all that space was needed for the freight from the branch. Reports of one heavy beet season reported that sidings in clonakikty junction, ballinascarthy junction and many stations along the line were all full of beet wagons