The Clogher Valley Railway
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B B C Northern Ireland Schools One Potato,Two Potato Autumn 2004 The Clogher Valley Railway by Albert Crawford Programme 4 5 October The narrow gauge railway line was fi rst in use in 1887 and was closed offi cially in 1942, although trains continued to run until 1944. There were thirty seven miles of track extending from Tynan in Country Armagh to Maguiresbridge. For the most part, the track followed the route of the main road, and ran down the middle of the road in many of the larger towns such as Fivemiletown, Aughnacloy and Caledon. The thirty seven mile journey took three hours, as the train travelled at a maximum of twelve miles per hour. Its timetable was said to be based ‘more on folklore than fact’. In 1928 the trains became diesel and the journey was cut to two hours. The locomotives were famous for their huge lamps in front and the whole train gave an impression of the American ‘wild west’, with open vestibules and glass roofs. The introduction of cattle grids has been attributed to the Clogher Valley Railway, so perhaps the incident described in the story was not unusual! Today’s story makes a journey with Bobby along the railway line from Tynan to Maguiresbridge. Song The Clogher Valley Tram Come all ye local people and listen to my song It’s only forty verses and it won’t detain you long It’s all about the great express that runs along ram-stam The noble-hearted monster, The Clogher Valley Tram. It starts out in the morning from the town of Augnacloy And if you happen to be late just do a sprint me boy And if you’re good at running, then it’s mighty sure I am It won’t be long till you’re safe inside the Clogher Valley Tram. It runs along quite joyously so very bright and gay And then it’s all hands out me boys to shove her up the brae And then downhill full speed she goes and gambols like a lamb The Clogher Valley Tram. By Egbert Trimble Songs Down At the Station Down at the station Early in the morning See the little Puffer Trains all in a row bbc.co.uk/ni/schools/potato 13 The Clogher Valley Railway One Potato, Two Potato See the engine driver pull the little handle Puff, puff, chou, chou, Off they go. Out in the country, early in the morning See the little Puffer Train’s great red nose See the engine driver pull the little handle Puff, puff, chou, chou, Off he goes. (Trad) The Train Is Carrying Coal The children make a long train and ‘shunt’ round the room. At the end of each verse the previously agreed number of ‘trucks’ are left behind, and the train goes on again until only one child is left. After the Programme words for discussion:- diesel train; steam train; cow-catchers; railway ‘guard’; bluebells; fair day. - Have any of the children been in a train? Where did they go? - Older children could plot the route of the old Clogher Valley Railway on a map. - Explain steam power and how the trains worked. - A project on old fair and market days – maybe in your area – which were once central to life in most towns. - Act out the story: Characters: mother Bobby guard donkey passengers granny bbc.co.uk/ni/schools/potato 14 The Clogher Valley Railway One Potato, Two Potato Northern Ireland Curriculum & Cross-Curricular Links GEOGRAPHY rail routes in Northern Ireland jobs and transport SCIENCE HISTORY steam power fair and market days evaporation PROGRAMME 4 evidence and artefacts and condensation from the past push power transport sound of trains old and new MUSIC associated with trains bbc.co.uk/ni/schools/potato 15.