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Home , Goods shed, Newry, Rostrevor, Warrenpoint

An Excursion into the History of the and Railway Cover: Goods train at Warrenpoint Railway Station c. 1964. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo

Inside front cover: Andrew Domleo aged 13, pictured in 1964 on the footplate of No.66 with engine driver, Jack Black. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo Chairperson’s Foreword Réamhrá an Chathaoirligh I am delighted to write the foreword to this Is mór an pleisiúr domh réamhrá a scríobh don exhibition catalogue, which accompanies An chatalóg a théann leis an taispeántas sealadach Excursion into the History of the Newry and Turas i Stair Iarnród an Iúir agus an Phointe, in Warrenpoint Railway, a temporary exhibition at Iarsmalann an Iúir agus Mhúrn. Newry and Museum. Osclaíodh an nasc idir an tIúr agus an Pointe i Mí Opened in May 1849 and originally known as na Bealtaine 1849, agus tugadh Iarnród an Iúir, the Newry, Warrenpoint and Railway, an Phointe agus Ros Treabhair air ar an chéad the rail link between Newry and Warrenpoint dul síos agus bhí sé ag feidhmiú thart ar 150 operated for around 150 years. During those bliain. Le linn an tréimhse sin ba é an iarnród a years, it was instrumental in the growth and bhí freagrach as fás agus forbairt an Phointe agus development of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor as Ros Treabhair mar cheann scríbe do thurasóirí popular tourist destinations for holidaymakers idir daoine ar saoire agus turasóirí lae. Bhí an líne and day-trippers alike. Many local people also seo an-aisiúil do mhuintir na háite mar mhodh found the line to be a convenient mode of iompair eile idir Iúr Cinn Trá agus an Pointe. transport for commuting between Newry and Leiríonn an taispeántas seo stair an iarnróid agus Warrenpoint. dúiseofar cuimhní cinn i gcuid mhór daoine leis This exhibition charts the history of the railway an raon d’ábhair, dhoiciméid agus ghrianghraif ar line and memories will be stimulated for many taispeáint. Bhailigh beirt dheartháireacha Andrew people by the range of objects, documents and agus Barrie Domleo ó Shasain cuid mhór acu photographs on display. Many of these were nuair a druideadh an líne sa bhliain 1965 agus iad collected around the time of the closure of the ina ndéagóirí, thug an bheirt acu cuairteanna ar a line in 1965 by two brothers, Andrew and Barrie seantuistí sa Phointe. Domleo, who, as teenagers, regularly visited from Bhronn na deartháireacha Domleo na hábhair , their grandparents in Warrenpoint. suimiúla seo ar Iarsmalann an Iúir agus Mhúrn The Domleo brothers have generously donated agus thar ceannn na hIarsmalainne ba mhaith this fascinating material to Newry and Mourne liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leo as na Museum and, on behalf of the Museum; I would deochnacháin tábhachtacha seo do chaomhnú like to thank them for making such an important oidhreacht an iarnróid sa cheantar máguaird seo. contribution to the preservation of the railway heritage of the local area. An Comhairleoir Marcas Ó Murnáin Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Councillor Mark Murnin Mhúrn agus an Dúin Chair of Newry, Mourne and District Council Part A – Historical Introduction Noreen Cunningham and Ken Abraham

The Newry, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor Railway, The Newry station was first situated at Kilmorey set up under an Act of Parliament of 27 July 1846, Street and then moved to Bridge with the operated the first railway in the Newry area. The line being carried across the Clanrye River on a contractor was William Dargan, Ireland’s famous swivel bridge. railway builder, who completed the six-mile Although started in 1846, the Newry line was not between Newry and Warrenpoint in 1½ years. linked with Goraghwood until 1854. Goraghwood The railway opened to regular passenger traffic on became an important , as it was on the Monday 28 May 1849 and the Newry Telegraph to Dublin line and connected Newry gave a full description of the event: and Warrenpoint with these two major cities. However, it was not until 1864 that the railway “… One great enterprise, having an intimate line from Goraghwood to was completed, bearing on the prosperity of Newry has, traversing hilly terrain and connecting the towns notwithstanding many difficulties, been successfully of and . completed. Let us hope that the joy so generally manifested at this result may inspire courage in undertaking, and perserverance in carrying out other works calculated to increase our trade. It would be idle to enter into speculations regarding the ultimate effect of this railway on the town of Newry. We entertain high hopes that in a variety of ways it will be a vast advantage. In a course of a few months the junction here will be convenient to outdoors and the citizens of Dublin and Belfast may come in two or three hours and refresh their minds by viewing scenery celebrated over the globe Goraghwood Railway Station pictured after it for its beauty.” closed in 1965. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo

By 1861, the Town of Newry Connecting Railway linked the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway terminus at Dublin Bridge Station and the Newry and Armagh Railway terminus at Edward Street Station. The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) (GNRI) was formed in 1876 by a merger of The “Warrenpoint” was one of two small side tank the Irish North Western Railway, the Northern locomotives that ran on the Newry, Warrenpoint Railway of Ireland and the Railway. The and Rostrevor Railway between 1855 and 1882. Newry and Armagh Railway joined the GNRI in From The Locomotive, July 15, 1936, p.215. 1879 and the Newry and Warrenpoint network

Part A – Historical Introduction a year later in 1886. The line became a hive of In 1963 the Benson Report recommended closing activity, connecting Newry with Armagh, Belfast all UTA railway lines with the exception of and Dublin and this helped to make Warrenpoint commuter lines around Belfast and the Belfast – a principal destination of the local tourist Dublin line. The Report, with amendments, was industry, both locally and nationally. implemented at the beginning of 1965 and this included the closure of the Goraghwood to Newry It had been proposed from the 1840s to extend the Edward Street line and the Newry to Warrenpoint railway from Warrenpoint onwards to Rostrevor, line. The last train ran from Warrenpoint to but this was never completed although a tramway Newry Edward Street Station on Saturday, 2 was built, which opened in 1877. It was closed in January 1965, with the last train leaving Newry for 1915 after storm damage. Goraghwood and Belfast the following evening. In the early 20th century, Newry was a transport hub. As part of the GNRI network, it was linked with Dublin, Belfast and south-central Ulster, while the London and Northern Railway Company ran a branch line between Newry and , from where a steam packet service departed for Holyhead. Travel time between Newry and London was less than twelve hours. The Partition of Ireland in 1921 affected the GNRI line between Dublin and Belfast and the local Edward Street Railway Station in Newry at the branch lines. Arrangements for customs were time of its closure in January 1965. introduced at Newry and Goraghwood, which Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo were now in . Partition did not affect the holiday and Sunday excursion traffic to Warrenpoint. It continued to be a popular destination for tourists and day- trippers throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The 1950s saw the beginning of the end for much of the local railway network. The Ulster Transport Authority (UTA) had been established in 1948 and in March 1955 the Sunday rail service between Newry and Warrenpoint was cancelled and replaced by a UTA bus service, although daily rail services continued.

Time table produced after the closure of the local branch lines around Newry and Warrenpoint. Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

Part A – Historical Introduction Schedule of organised railway excursions to Warrenpoint from 27 April to 28 September 1924. This document was probably prepared by the GNRI for submission to the Boundary Commission. A total of 39,145 passengers were carried, illustrating the popularity of Warrenpoint as a seaside resort. Newry and Mourne Museum Collection

Part A – Historical Introduction Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway By Barrie Domleo, assisted by recollections from his brother Andrew Domleo

My mother was a local girl and during the early part of the Second World War, she met and married my father in 1942. He was from and had worked on the sales team of Raleigh bicycles, before joining the Cheshire Regiment at the start of the War and had been sent to Northern Ireland to train men in advanced gunnery. I was born just after the War in 1946, and lived with my mother and grandparents in Great Georges Street, Warrenpoint, which was my first home, albeit for only a matter of months before we moved to England to join my father. Bus outside Warrenpoint Railway Station c.1964. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo to Warrenpoint, that held the most fascination. I remember the hollow booming and squealing coach wheels, as the train seemed to be turning in a circle whilst crossing the at Buttercrane Quay. After a brief halt at Dublin Bridge station, we were soon twisting and turning onto the little girder bridge over the Clanrye River. Half a century later, I learned that the Clanrye bridge had been built to swivel open for sailing and the canal bridge was an almost unique rolling Warrenpoint Railway Station pictured in 1964. railway bridge, able to open for canal boats to Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo pass. From the mid 1950s, every three or four years, my mother, younger brother Andrew and I would come to Warrenpoint, usually in August, for a month long summer holiday with my grandparents, who by then had moved to a flat in Lower Dromore Road. My father would join us for the last fortnight. We travelled from our home in Esher, Surrey by train to London, then and on the overnight boat to Belfast. I was never a good sailor and would be all shades of green by the early morning. We travelled by steam Staff at Warrenpoint Railway Station, James train to Newry and Warrenpoint. It was that last Cromie, Station Master (left) and Jimmie Lyttle, part of the journey, going through Newry and on Railway Clerk (right) pictured in August 1964. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway Once we were old enough for Andrew to be let out with me in charge, we would be drawn to the railway station to see what might be happening… usually not a lot. Warrenpoint was the seaside terminus of the six mile single railway track from Newry that was popular with tourists, particularly at summer weekends. On a Sunday afternoon, there could often be several excursion trains parked up, with their locomotives simmering quietly in the sun, awaiting the evening return.

Left to right, Hughie P. McGuigan, Temporary Porter, Felix B. McCourt, Ticket Collector and Jimmie Lyttle, Railway Clerk, pictured at Warrenpoint Railway Station in August 1964. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo

The run to Warrenpoint seemed almost straight but increasingly pretty, with and the mountains on the southern side. Beyond Narrow Water station, if it was high tide, we boys could run from side to side in the carriage, to see the water on both sides. Magically there seemed to be nothing supporting the train. A short time later, we would be gliding into Platform One under its canopy at Warrenpoint Railway Station and the holiday began. My brother and I weren’t George Walker, Signalman at Warrenpoint especially keen railway enthusiasts, but the little Railway Station from 1946 – 1965. line cast a spell on us and we soon fell in love with Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo it and with its staff.

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway Interior of Warrenpoint Signal Box showing the interior fittings including electric staff instrument. Locomotive being turned on the Warrenpoint No. 608, toward left hand side of turntable by railway staff assisted by Andrew image, with signal staffs in situ. (See Domleo (extreme right). As the line to NMM:2018.4. 2-3 and NMM:2018.4.46). Warrenpoint was a single track, the turntable Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo allowed the trains to be turned around. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo The line was predominately worked by elderly steam locomotives of Edwardian design, working could be trusted, they were amazingly tolerant. A out their last years. A few were still wearing turning point came one day when the signalman, the azure blue livery of the old Great Northern George Walker opened the door of his box, 150 Railway (Ireland), under a heavy coating of grime. metres away, and bellowed, “Are you coming up?” Some bore a crudely painted white X after their He had made enquiries and discovered we were gold and red numbers, indicating the locomotive the grandsons of one of his neighbours, whom he equivalent of ‘do not resuscitate’ should they much respected. Thereafter, Warrenpoint station encounter serious mechanical or boiler problems. was ours. I went here there and everywhere These 4-4-0 and 0-6-0 tender locomotives were exploring and watching how a branch line railway smaller and neater than we were used to seeing worked. My brother, a braver soul than I, spent in England. Particularly on visits pre-1962, many his time blagging footplate rides with some of the still bore brass nameplates such as, Lough Melvin, regular crews, up and down the line to Newry. Lough Gill, Meath, Louth and Down, Slievenamon One crew, particularly amused by his enthusiasm, and Lugnaquilla. kept a wooden beer crate on the locomotive, so Although weekends brought a few other he could reach the regulator and be taught how enthusiasts, during the week we had Warrenpoint to drive the trains. They taught him the co- station pretty much to ourselves. Initially the ordination of the regulator and reversing lever, staff were puzzled by these two English kids who the vacuum brakes and the tricky balance of water haunted their station day by day. They were, and steam feeds to the injectors, to put water into however, kind, funny and once they realised we the boiler.

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway Interior of cab of steam locomotive engine c. 1964. would then jog the mile or so down to the station A footplate lamp (NMM:2018:4.18) can be seen in and join them on the engine for the shunting centre of image. duties in Warrenpoint yard. After a bit of a break it Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo was time to ride out with them to Edward Street, Newry where further shunting and re-arranging Andrew reminded me that, from my grandparent’s of wagons was carried out. I had other priorities first floor flat, we could see a short section of the and would take over the binoculars, to check railway even though it was some way away across the bread vans were in the train, happy in the the golf course. He would watch each morning knowledge that in a short time, fresh soda bread for the incoming 6.30am goods train heading would be arriving at our door. for Warrenpoint and, using his grandfather’s On one occasion, as Andrew had been binoculars, would check if there was the visible successfully taught how to open the regulator (if not audible) double wisp of steam from the and pull out of Warrenpoint station with a loaded whistle, He knew then, it was the crew who would passenger train, the crew suggested he came with give him a footplate ride, letting him know they them and had a go at shunting at Edward Street, were on duty. He had previously shown them Newry. On this occasion, it was with a solitary from the footplate where he was staying. Andrew closed van which had been de-coupled, to be

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway some time before the crew were ready to take the goods train out to Goraghwood, so they would all decamp for tea in Newry North Signal Box. Here they would share with him a mug of their ‘engineman’s tea’. It was totally unlike anything he had ever tasted before (or since), and you really could stand your spoon up in it. In 1961, I had begun photographing, using my father’s old Kodak folding camera. To my consternation, there was about a 50% failure rate, with patches of fogging on many of the Using a petrol driven machine to unscrew the pictures. Eventually the problem was diagnosed as bolts holding down the cast iron chairs on the pinholes in the camera’s bellows. I lost a number railway track at Narrow Water in August 1965 of interesting photos of some of the older engines, after closure of the railway line. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo which had gone to the scrapper’s torch by the time we next returned. The early 1960’s were shunted into the goods shed. Unfortunately he not a good time to be a branch line railway, in did not allow for the difference in weight between England or Ireland. So, it was no surprise when one wagon and a loaded passenger train. Having our grandmother wrote and told us that 1964 was wound the valve gear into reverse he opened the likely to be the line’s last summer of operation. It regulator as normal. The driver leapt up as he was also no surprise to all the adults in the family realised his error, snapped the regulator shut and that we would be holidaying in Warrenpoint that applied the brakes. However, it was too late, as the summer. untethered wagon disappeared at speed into the This time we were armed with two modern 35mm gloom of the goods shed. He remembers clearly still cameras, my father’s Canon full frame that both the driver and fireman each with a fixed we used with black and white negative film and stare over the tender at the disappearing wagon. Andrew’s Olympus Pen half frame camera with There was quite a long silence then a series of very Kodak colour transparency film. I also had a loud bangs as the loose wagon struck the other 9.5mm ciné camera. We bought as much still and wagons in the shed, again silence returned for a cine film as we could afford. The ciné exercise few seconds, during which time a rusty-coloured almost ended in disaster. I had ordered in good pall emerging from the goods shed, immediately time, about 20 minutes of 9.5mm Ferraniacolour followed by the shunter, waving his arms and film from John Bentley, a photographic specialist yelling a tirade of unintelligible expletives, he too in Yorkshire. Two days before the holiday was was covered in the same red dust. Needless to say, to start… still no film. I rang Mr Bentley and Andrew wasn’t invited to participate in shunting bless the man’s heart, he shipped me another duties again. Following the shunting there was consignment, to meet us at Liverpool Lime Street

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway Dismantling the railway track at Warrenpoint There were no obstacles to our roaming Railway Station in August 1965. and photographing around Warrenpoint… Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo occasionally, George Walker would open his box window and bellow for us to be sure to get out of Station. We were determined and were now able the way, as he wanted to start a train. But I wanted to give the railway our very best effort at recording to be able to photograph, not only Warrenpoint its charms. but also up and down the line. I’m sure George With the clarity of hindsight, I should have and his ‘bush telegraph’ could have fixed it for had some tuition into the art of photographic us, but I had written to the Ulster Transport composition and we ought to have found some Authority on behalf of my brother and myself. more money for another couple of colour Back came ‘waiver’ forms for us to fill out and in transparency films. As it was, out of our 470 odd due course, we had trackside and footplate passes pictures, only 72 were in colour. But Andrew for August… and thankfully they didn’t enquire reminded me that we also had other running our ages. expenses to take care of… chips from the chippy That summer of ’64 was mostly sunshine, but with at the end of Newry Street and Malocca’s Italian a smattering of what my grandfather would call, ice cream.

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway ‘soft days.’ I can remember afternoons lying on holding the joining the rails, were cut distant embankments in the sun, with tripod set with an oxy-propane torch. The screws, chairs and up, ciné film loaded, camera spring fully wound fishplates were all stacked in piles, to be collected and railway timetable in hand. But often, the train later. Another man was using a Fordson tractor would come with loco the wrong way around to tow each pair of disconnected rails and adding from the previous shot, or an extra coach or goods them to stockpiles in the railway yard, sleepers van tacked on the rear. Oh, the joys of amateur were lifted by pickaxe and stacked. And so they film making! With the benefit of hindsight, I progressed steadily up the line. missed so many opportunities back in 1964… like He soon set about collecting ‘mementos’ from going to talk to all the signalmen about working Warrenpoint Railway Station buildings, goods their railway. I also didn’t realise what engineering shed and signal box. When he had collected as gems there were in the Clanrye swivel bridge and much as he could carry, he would walk back to the unique canal bridge, rolling to open and close. our grandmother’s home and empty his shoulder I could have studied and photographed them so bag onto shelving in the garden shed. He would much more. then return to the station for more. When he At the end of August 1964 we said goodbye to had ‘saved’ everything that he could find, he our beloved railway, to George and the other spent the rest of the holiday walking the line and staff. George had been quietly working with photographing the progress of the demolition. another signalman down the line, who had He became friendly with the man unscrewing been unscrewing three small redundant pieces the track bolts and would keep encountering him of signalling equipment from his signal box, down the line. which George presented to us as ‘mementos’ of On one occasion, when the track removal had his railway. We have them to this day and are reached just beyond the Dow-Mac crossing (near delighted for them to come ‘home’ to Newry and the derelict Dow-Mac concrete works), he met Mourne Museum. him in conversation with his boss, (presumably Andrew ‘arranged’ for another visit to Mr. Eastwood), who wanted to know who my Warrenpoint in August 1965. He recounted to me brother was and what he was doing. Andrew his experiences. He managed his final visit to the explained he was making a photographic record Warrenpoint railway to coincide with the start of of the line and saving a few ‘mementos’. (at the the demolition of the line, six months after the time he was standing close to the Warrenpoint last train and three months after abandonment “Advance” signal which he later salvaged). The was authorised. He arrived at Warrenpoint station boss decently said he was welcome to have any on the afternoon of the second day of the track old paperwork or wood items, but to leave any removal, and a fair amount of the station yard heavy scrap metal. Andrew mostly kept to this was already cleared of rail. One man was using instruction, with the exception of the signal head a petrol-driven machine to unscrew the bolts and also the GNRI fire fender, which was in the holding down the cast iron chairs. The bolts staff room at one end of the station buildings.

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway Carrying this on his shoulder for the mile or so A few artefacts from the line we displayed at back home did make him question his sanity, but home, but most items, the black and white he managed it with frequent stops, even though negatives, colour transparencies and the ciné his shoulder bore the imprint for a couple of days. film were consigned to a cupboard for most of the next forty years. The ciné film came out to For the last week of his stay our father joined be run occasionally and it gradually acquired him and had hired a car at the airport. Andrew dirt and scratches. In 2008 I learned that BBC persuaded him to give him a lift to Newry to Post Production still had a teleciné machine that enable exploration for any further ‘mementos’. could run small gauge film, to scan to digital. So I Dublin Bridge signal box was still completely booked in to have my Warrenpoint film digitised intact apart from glass, but he was too nervous in as good quality as possible, dreading the likely to enter it. Every time he went near it, a gang of cost. We hand cleaned the film, remaking some road menders working close by would jeer at him. splices. The technician worked hard to colour and Newry North Signal Box had been vandalised and density grade every shot in the film. He brought completely gutted by fire, so there was nothing back much of the colour and lightened many left. Apart from the brass plate from the Pooley of the shots that had been so dark. But sadly, he Weighing Machine on the platform at Edward couldn’t do anything about the scratches and Street, there were no further artefacts from some of the dirt marks, unless I had a much larger Newry, just photos. restoration budget. For reason of economy, our black and white Fortunately, in the still photography world, negative films had been processed by local technology had moved on and ‘Photoshop’ chemists, or their photo processors and just sheets had arrived. I was able to beg and bribe two of small ‘contact’ prints produced. The colour technically ‘savvy’ friends, to scan the black and transparency film was processed by Kodak and white negatives and carry out some repairs, to we were able to see the results when we got home. bring them up to a quality where they could be The ciné film was processed and also sent home. used. The transparencies were also digitised and The disappointments began immediately, with no repaired. I now had all of our 1960s photographic automatic exposure meter, half of the 20 minutes material in digital form. of ciné film had been under exposed and what had been glorious sunshine looked like a heavy The next ‘breakthrough’ came when I discovered overcast. The black and white pictures were an online, ‘The Old Warrenpoint Forum’, a social unexpected disappointment. Printing up sample history website for the town. On there, I rolls to postcard sized prints, it became evident found just a few black and white pictures of that the local processing had been less than kind the old railway. I looked again at our colour to our negatives. Random scratches, scuff marks transparencies from 1964, selected a couple of and ‘foreign bodies’ abounded. One chemist’s dozen, put these on a disc and sent it to Brian work in particular, produced negatives with so McCalmont, the moderator of the website, just many curly black hairs, that we joked he processed in case anyone might be interested. The result in ‘minced sweater soup.’

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway astonished me. Brian created our own file on the smaller: transport through the ages in Newry and website and began to dribble the pictures on, a Mourne. They invited me to participate and I was few at a time. Comments were lovely, memories very pleased to do so, with some of our photo’s of going to school by train, younger viewers and a few artefacts. wondering where the railway had been and one I was only just back home to Surrey in 2014, when lady, Pauline Reardon, who introduced herself as I received a phone call… “are you the man who the signalman George Walker’s daughter. We had has been filming the old railway to Warrenpoint? great on- and off-line conversations. This is BBC Northern Ireland, we’re also making Brian made the comment to me that I knew where a documentary about the same railway and the railway had been, but I’d be hard pressed wondered if you could be persuaded to come to find any trace of it today. So in 2013, I came back and let us film you? We know about you back for the first time since 1965 and found conversing on line with Pauline Reardon about that Brian was quite correct. I’d never known a her late father, the signalman at Warrenpoint. We railway disappear quite so totally. As I felt that hope to bring her back, to meet you on camera.” deluging the Warrenpoint Forum website with And so, I came back for the BBC, met Pauline all our photographic and ciné material, was on camera and was able to have an extra filming unfair and would be boring, I resolved to buy a session for myself. Pauline had told me by email, camcorder, film editing software and try to make that sadly the only memento of her dad’s railway a documentary about the little line. I would use career was a small UTA cap badge. As a direct some of our photographs, transparencies and result of my brother’s 1965 ‘salvage operation’, I film. I came back over two subsequent summers was able to give Pauline her dad’s peaked cap, his and filmed the site of the railway, including a brass GNRI cap badge from earlier days in his memorable car tracking shot from Warrenpoint to career, his flags from the signal box and a colour Newry, along the road built over the railway. I had photocopy of a busy day from her dad’s last signal to shoot that tracking shot five times. Four times, box register of trains. the weather changed along the route, mid shot. I struggled with my documentary, learning the In 2014, I went to Newry and Mourne editing technology and trying to work out how to Museum for the first time, to see if they might structure the film, and getting nowhere fast. One have anything that could be helpful to my day in December 2014 a friend rang me to ask if documentary. The staff there were very friendly I’d like a visit to Pinewood Film Studios. He was and exceptionally interested in what I was trying going there to have a 16mm film scanned and to do. It wasn’t long before I had the Curator restored. “Can they cope with 9.5mm film?” The and Assistant Curator looking at my laptop, the answer was “probably”, so I was off to Pinewood railway photo’s and pictures of some of the railway with my reel of Warrenpoint film. Jim, the artefacts that I had back at home. They explained technical wizard there, was much more interested that in spring 2015 they would be having a in my 9.5mm challenge, than my poor friend’s temporary exhibition, The world has become

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway 16mm film. Mine was straight on the machine for scanning. He explained that it was a ‘wet gate’ scanner, a volatile solvent temporarily filled in many of the scratches and made them less visible. After scanning, he put the material through half a dozen digital restoration processes to remove dirt, most remaining scratches and steady the image vertically and horizontally. I sat with my mouth open at the wonderful results. Over the years I have researched and learned much about the little railway. But I don’t consider myself any kind of expert, others such as the late Des Fitzgerald with his lovely book The Warrenpoint Branch are more entitled. But I did learn a love of the line and some of its people, an appreciation of the beauty of the Carlingford Lough area and the joy of all machines driven by steam. After the end of their very successful 2015 local transport exhibition, Dr Ken Abraham from Newry and Mourne Museum said there had been great interest in the railway exhibits and approached me about acquiring our entire railway artefact collection from the line. After a brief discussion with my brother, who had been responsible for collecting most of the artefacts at the time of demolition, we both agreed that we couldn’t think of a better home for all the material, than back ‘home’ in Newry. We were happy to give our disparate collection to the Museum and now some of it will be going on display for the first time since 1965 in this new temporary exhibition An Excursion into the History of the Newry to Warrenpoint Railway. B.D. June 2018

Part B – Personal Memories of the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway Andrew Domleo pictured walking along the disused Newry to Warrenpoint railway track in August 1965. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection Catalogued by Noreen Cunningham and Ken Abraham Photography by Joanne Glymond and Noelle Murtagh

REFERENCE ITEM DESCRIPTION

NMM:2018.

4.1 Railway lamp Round hand lamp with brass maker’s plate “LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAYS MAKERS LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT CREWE”. Rotating interior, complete with red and green filters, burner and tank.

4.2 Signal staff Used in electric staff instrument (see NMM:2018..4.46) in Warrenpoint Signal Box. Includes “WARRENPOINT” brass nameplate. This signal staff was originally used on the King Street to Dublin Bridge section of railway in Newry, and was later ‘rebadged’ with the Warrenpoint nameplate.

4.3 Signal staff Used in electric staff instrument (see NMM:2018.4.46) in Warrenpoint Signal Box. Includes “NEWRY SOUTH” brass nameplate.

4.4 Coach destination board Wooden board with “Warrenpoint” written on one side and “Goraghwood” on other side.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.5 Coach destination board Wooden board with “Newry and Warrenpoint” written on one side and “Newry and Goraghwood” on other side.

4.6 Terminal ‘T’ board “T” shaped board, signifying ‘Terminal’ - end of speed restriction between Narrow Water cutting and Green Island originally on top of a post (see NMM:2018.4.56). 4.7 Railway sign A double-sided enamel sign with lettering “TO RAILWAY STATION” with a hand and pointing finger.

4.8 Wagon number plate Cast iron sign with wording around outer area “REGISTERED BY THE BCDR”, and in centre “TO CARRY 10 TONS 1902” from an open coal truck.

4.9 Railway sign Cast iron sign circa 1890 with the wording “GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY CO (I) HEREBY GIVE PUBLIC WARNING TO ALL PERSONS NOT TO TRESPASS UPON THIS RAILWAY. TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED”.

4.10 Wagon number plate Metal plate embossed with “LMS NCC 2596” from an open coal truck.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.11 Wagon number plate Metal plate embossed with “MR NCC 694” from an open coal truck.

4.12 Wagon number plate Metal plate embossed with “BNCR 153” from an open coal truck.

4.13 Wagon number plate Metal plate embossed with “BNCR 220” from an open coal truck.

4.14 Railway lamp Signal post lamp, square-shaped, interior complete with burner and tank.

4.15 Railway lamp Round hand lamp with bevelled plain glass. Rotating interior with tank, burner and reflector. Above the glass front, a brass maker’s plate is embossed with “PETROLEUM HAND LAMP” and maker’s name “WILLIAM SUGG & CO LTD”. The left hand side of lamp is inscribed with “GNRI” &“HAMILTONSBAWN”. 4.16 Railway lamp Round hand lamp with fluted top, with no front glass. At upper left hand side a brass maker’s plate is embossed with “GABRIEL & CO. MANUFACTURERS ” and with “GNR (I)” inscribed below on side of lamp. 4.17 Railway lamp Round hand lamp, fluted top, bevelled plain glass. Rotating interior, with red curved glass filter, tank, burner and reflector. Inscribed on side with “GNRI”. 4.18 Footplate lamp Locomotive footplate lamp, with red and green plastic side filters, one plastic panel missing. Inscribed “GNRI” on top.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.19 Lamp top A top for lamp with a brass maker’s plate embossed with “PETROLEUM HAND LAMP” and maker’s name “WILLIAM SUGG & CO LTD”. 4.20 Hand lamp burner and Stamped with “U.S. LMSR”. reflector 4.21 Fireplace fender Heavy cast iron fender cast with initials “GNRI” on front part of fender. Almost certainly part of the inventory when the GNRI opened the new Warrenpoint Railway Station in 1890.

4.22 Signal wire pulley Double signal wire pulley cast with “GNR (I)” initials. 4.23 Single wire pulley Single signal wire pulley cast with “GNR (I)” initials. 4.24 Lever stop collar Lever stop collar cast with “RSCO 3193 GNRI” on front of collar, and with “STOP” on straight end of collar. Located in Signal Box to prevent levers being pulled accidentally. RSCO signifies Warrenpoint Company. 4.25 Lever stop collar Lever stop collar cast with “RSCO 3193 GNRI” on front of collar, and with “STOP” on straight end of collar. Located in Signal Box to prevent levers being pulled accidentally. RSCO signifies Warrenpoint Railway Signal Company. 4.26 Penny Penny flattened on a railway track by passenger train at Narrow Water. 4.27 Shunter’s hook Forged wrought iron hook head from a shunter’s pole, used to couple and uncouple wagons. Stamped with lettering “E&W LUCAS”. 4.28 Track hold down spike From the section of flat bottomed rails between Green Island and Narrow Water cutting. 4.29 Carriage door key A tapered square key to operate all carriage door locks. 4.30 Track hold down plate From the section of flat bottomed rails between Green Island and Narrow Water cutting. 4.31 Maker’s plate from crane Plate cast with “ROWLAND AND PRIEST CRADLEY HEATH PATT No 4022 A SAFE WORKING LOAD 1 TON 1941”. The maker’s plate was attached to a small one tonne crane outside the Goods Depot at Warrenpoint Railway Station. 4.32 Signal head For signal number 20 the “Advance.” It comprises (1) main casting (2) pivot casting (3) spindle (4) cover plate (5) wooden red and white arm (6) small tin box containing red and blue/green glass from the signal lenses. 4.33 Punch Used by the ticket inspector at Warrenpoint Railway Station to punch passenger’s tickets.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.34 Punch Known as a ‘code punch’ and used for crimping the lead and wire seals, (see items NMM:2018.4.104 and NMM:2018.4.107), for the closed van doors.

4.35 Signal repeaters Repeater instrument for Signal 29. Made by Tyer & Co. in 1942, the signal head on the railway line sent the signal to this instrument in the Warrenpoint Signal Box.

4.36 Signal repeaters Repeater instrument No. 1. made by Tyer & Co. in 1942, from King Street Signal Box. The signals for Signal Repeater instruments 1 and 2 were on the curve from Buttercrane Quay to King Street .

4.37 Signal repeaters Repeater instrument No. 2. made by Tyer & Co. in 1942, from King Street Signal Box. The signals for Signal Repeater instruments 1 and 2 were on the curve from Buttercrane Quay to King Street level crossing.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.38 Signal box bell Bell made by “ Signal Co. Ltd. London & ”, from King Street Signal Box. The bell gave warning for oncoming trains. This Signal box bell was originally used on the Newry, and Greenore Railway, which closed in 1951.

4.39 Signal flag A green signal flag from Warrenpoint Signal Box. 4.40 Signal flag A red signal flag from Warrenpoint Signal Box. 4.41 Signal flag An amber signal flag from Warrenpoint Signal Box. 4.42 Signal flag A green signal flag from Street Signal Box in Newry. 4.43 Signal flag A green signal flag with a broken shaft from Edward Street Signal Box in Newry. 4.44 Crest transfer Purchased by donor from Tearne & Sons Ltd of Birmingham and mounted on a mahogany veneer panel. The Great Northern Railway Board (GNRB) crest would have been used on locomotives and coaches. The GNRB operated from 1953-1958. 4.45 Crest transfer Purchased by donor from Tearne & Sons Ltd of Birmingham, and mounted on a mahogany veneer panel. The Great Northern Railway Ireland crest would have been used on locomotives.

4.46 Replica of Electric Staff The original instrument was supplied in 1893 to the GNRI, one of ten Instrument No. 608, with instruments sent. No. 608 was installed in Warrenpoint Signal Box and was original fittings in use until the line closed in 1965. The electric train token system was a safety feature mechanism on single- line railway sections, so no two trains could be on the line at the same time.

Signal staffs or ‘tokens’ were stored in the electric staff instruments, which were connected by telegraph lines. A staff could only be removed from one instrument only if both signalmen co-operated in agreeing to the release. Once a staff had been removed, another cannot be removed until the signal staff which is “out” is replaced in either instrument. By this means, it can be ensured that at any one time, only one staff is available to be issued to a driver. Staffs belonging to adjacent sections have different configurations or ‘brass rings’ to prevent them being inserted into the wrong instrument. (See NMM:2018:4.2-3).

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.47 Letter From K.J. Kornold, Technical Administration at The Signal Railway Company Limited to Andrew Domleo dated 14th February 1969. States that the Company’s records show that Staff Instrument No. 608 was dispatched in 1893 to the Great Northern Railway of Ireland. Goes on to say that the staffs supplied were engraved “Dublin Bridge” and “Warrenpoint” for Instrument No. 608. 4.48 Form Completed form reporting that the instrument was out of order [at Warrenpoint Railway Station] from 7 pm until 10:20 pm, December 1897. 4.49 Form Completed form reporting that the electric train staff between Dublin Bridge and Warrenpoint was out of order at 3.15 pm and ‘put right’ at 4.53 [pm] on 27 June 1898. 4.50 Form Electric Token Block System form to be completed during the working of the signal lines by a Pilotman during an obstruction or failure of a token apparatus or when signal staff was lost or damaged, circa 1930. Bundle of 15 blank forms. 4.51 Form Electric Token Block System form to be completed during the working of the signal lines by a Pilotman during an obstruction, circa 1940. Bundle of four blank forms. 4.52 Ticket Pilotman’s Ticket to be given to the Engine Driver or Guard during the working of a signal line by a Pilotman, circa 1940. Bundle of ten blank tickets. 4.53 Ticket Pilotman’s Ticket to be given to the Engine Driver or Guard during the working of a signal line by a Pilotman, circa 1900. Bundle of six blank tickets.

4.54 Ticket Caution Ticket to be given to the Engine Driver by the Signalman when a section may be clear but the station or junction blocked, circa 1910. Bundle of four blank tickets.

4.55 Ticket Caution Ticket to be given to the Engine Driver by the Signalman when a section may be clear but the station or junction blocked, circa 1920. Bundle of five blank tickets. 4.56 Notice Issued by the Railways Manager’s Office, Belfast, for the period 15 - 21 August 1964. Lists miscellaneous information on equipment, repairs and maintenance on railway lines including Goraghwood, Warrenpoint and Newry. Also details the installation of a speed restriction on the Warrenpoint line (see NMM:2018.4.6).

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.57 Note Handwritten note from Warrenpoint Signal Box and relates to a telephone switch selector for which the brass plate survives (see NMM:2018.4.57) listing pointer positions and code of bells.

4.58 Certificate Certificate of Registration in the Register of Restaurants. Certifies that the Railway Refreshment Rooms, Warrenpoint, Great Northern Railway (Ireland) have been registered in the Register of Restaurants for the year ending 31 March 1949. 4.59 Notice Instructions for the Protection of Carriage Cleaners, Examiners, Electricians, Brake Fitters, and others Working on Coaching and other Stock. Sets out the safety regulations for employees working on rolling stock, circa 1930. From Edward Street Station in Newry. 4.60 Parcel label parcel label for transport of live stock, circa 1940.

4.61 Parcel label Great Western Railway parcel label for transport of eggs, circa 1940.

4.62 Parcel label Great Western Railway parcel label for transport of glass objects, circa 1940.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.63 Parcel label Great Western Railway parcel label for transport of items ‘WITH CARE’, circa 1940.

4.64 Parcel labels Three railway parcel labels for transport of perishable produce, circa 1940. 4.65 Dockets Two printed pro-forma loading dockets from Warrenpoint Railway Station for the transport of beer bottles, circa 1950. 4.66 Dockets Three printed blank pro-forma dockets for the transport of ‘Guinness Empties’ [bottles] circa 1950. 4.67 Dockets Four printed blank manilla pro-forma British Railways Station Wagon dockets for the transport of goods, circa 1950. 4.68 Dockets Three printed blank manilla pro-forma Ulster Transport Authority dockets with red lettering for the transport of ‘Dutiable’ goods from a railway station to a customs station, circa 1947. 4.69 Docket Printed pink blank pro-forma Ulster Transport Authority docket for the transport of goods from Belfast (Grosvenor Street) Railway Station to another destination, circa 1947. 4.70 Dockets Seven printed blank manilla pro-forma Ulster Transport Authority dockets with red lettering for the transport of goods by sea and train, circa 1947. 4.71 Dockets Five printed blank manilla pro-forma Ulster Transport Authority dockets with blue lettering for the transport of ‘Important Goods’, circa 1940. 4.72 Consignment note Two printed manilla pro-forma Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) consignment notes for the carriage of potatoes, stamped ‘Warrenpoint Goods’, circa 1940. 4.73 Consignment note Three printed manilla pro-forma Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) consignment notes for the carriage of damageable goods. Stamped ‘Warrenpoint Goods’, circa 1940. 4.74 Notice Printed notice ‘ENGAGED COACH’. To be displayed when coach had been prior booked, circa 1940.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.75 Flyer Printed green flyer advertising day excursions from Warrenpoint and Newry to Dublin on Tuesdays during July and August 1964. Includes ticket prices. Ulster Transport [Authority].

4.76 Time table Printed time table in manilla covers for rail services between Newry and Warrenpoint from 11th September 1961. Includes bus connections with and Newcastle. 4.77 Time table Printed time table in manilla covers for rail services between Belfast and Dublin and Belfast and from 4th January 1965 after withdrawal of rail services between Goraghwood, Newry and Warrenpoint 4.78 Ticket Six-day train ticket issued at Warrenpoint to Mrs Rigby, grandmother of donor, for daily travel between Warrenpoint and Portadown. Expiry date 25 July 1964.

4.79 Ticket Child’s Afternoon Excursion train ticket for return travel between Newry and Warrenpoint, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 9 Au 64.

4.80 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Warrenpoint to Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 09 Au 64. 4.81 Ticket Child’s train ticket for travel between Warrenpoint and Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 16 Au 64. 4.82 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Warrenpoint to Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 16 Au 64. 4.83 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Warrenpoint to Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 16 Au 64. 4.84 Ticket Child’s Afternoon Excursion train ticket for return travel between Newry and Warrenpoint, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 21 Au 64.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.85 Ticket Child’s Afternoon Excursion train ticket for return travel between Newry and Warrenpoint, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 24 Au 64. 4.86 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Warrenpoint to Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 24 Au 64. 4.87 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Warrenpoint to Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 24 Au 64. 4.88 Ticket Train ticket for travel between Warrenpoint and Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 24 Au 64. 4.89 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Warrenpoint to Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 24 Au 64. 4.90 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Warrenpoint to Newry, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 24 Au 64. 4.91 Ticket Child’s Afternoon Excursion train ticket for return travel between Newry and Warrenpoint, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 24 Au 64. 4.92 Ticket Child’s Afternoon Excursion train ticket for return travel between Newry and Warrenpoint, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 21 Au 64. 4.93 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Belfast to Warrenpoint, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 18 JE 65.

4.94 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Belfast to Warrenpoint, second class. Date stamped on reverse: 18 JE 65. 4.95 Ticket Train ticket for travel from Dublin to Warrenpoint. Date stamped on reverse: 19 Au 64. 4.96 Tickets Miscellaneous train return tickets for journeys to and from Warrenpoint, tickets are torn in half. 4.97 Docket Printed docket requesting Booking Clerk at Warrenpoint Railway Station to issue a ticket to a railway workman a Third Class Daily Workman’s Return Ticket for travel to Newry at a special fare, circa 1930. 4.98 Register Register recording goods wagons arriving at and departing from Warrenpoint Railway Station. Lists wagon number, owning company, sheet number, description code and details of railway station of origin and destination. 30 October 1952 to 26 January 1953. Card covers, printed pro- forma pages, details handwritten in pencil. 4.99 Ledger Log book recording trains passing signal box at Warrenpoint Railway Station. 27 August 1948 to 29 November 1948. Card covers, printed pro- forma pages, details handwritten in ink. 4.100 Ledger Log book recording trains passing signal box at Warrenpoint Railway Station. 9 January 1951 to 12 April 1951. Card covers, printed pro-forma pages, details handwritten in ink. 4.101 Ledger Log book recording trains passing signal box at Warrenpoint Railway Station. 21 December 1954 to 8 April 1954. Card covers, printed pro-forma pages, details handwritten in ink. 4.102 Ledger Log book recording trains passing signal box at Warrenpoint Railway Station. 9 April 1955 to 25 September 1955. Card covers, printed pro- forma pages, details handwritten in ink.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection 4.103 Ledger Log book recording trains passing signal box at Warrenpoint Railway Station. 11 February 1956 to 11 August 1956. Card covers, printed pro- forma pages, details handwritten in ink. 4.104 Seal Seal from railway wagon door. Small round lead seal with metal disc attached to wire. Metal disc is embossed with the letters “U.T.A.A”. 4.105 Seal Seal from railway wagon door. Small round lead seal attached to wire embossed with the letters “W.P.”. 4.106 Seal Seal from railway wagon door. Small round lead seal attached to wire embossed with the letters “G.N.R. (I)” on one side and “GEORGI” on the other side. 4.107 Seal Seal from railway wagon door. Small round lead seal attached to wire embossed with the letters “G.N.R. (I)” on one side and “BF” on the other side. 4.108 Brass plate From a Pooley Weighing machine. Central panel embossed with letters G.N.R. (I) 80 and border embossed with letters “H. POOLEY & SON LD. CONTRACTORS”. From either Warrenpoint Railway Station platform or Edward Street Railway Station platform, Newry. 4.109 Brass plate From a Pooley Weighing Machine. Central panel embossed with letters G.N.R. (I) 88 and border embossed with letters “H. POOLEY & SON LD. CONTRACTORS”. From either Warrenpoint Railway Station platform or Edward Street Railway Station platform, Newry.

4.110 Brass plate Oval brass plate from a machine at Warrenpoint Railway Station. Embossed with letters “SAMUEL TAYLOR & CO MANUFACTURERS 14567 LIONEL ST BIRMINGHAM”.

4.111 Brass plate Brass plate from a telephone switch selector, from Warrenpoint Signal Box engraved with lettering: “STATION MASTERS OFFICE” and “NEWRY DUBLIN BRIDGE CABIN”, giving a choice of locations. The switch selector was repurposed at some stage, as the handwritten instructions (see NMM:2018.4.57) include the crossing keeper at Dow-Mac.

4.112 Detonator Track warning detonator (spent) for warning trains of works or obstruction on railway line. 4.113 Cotton waste Used by train engine drivers.

Part C – Catalogue of Newry to Warrenpoint Railway Collection Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to the staff, interns Special thanks to Barrie and Andrew and volunteers of Newry and Mourne Domleo, who without their generosity, Museum for their assistance in this this exhibition and catalogue would exhibition and accompanying booklet: not have been possible. We would like to pay tribute to their farsightedness as teenagers in collecting what is Declan Carroll now a unique collection, and of vital Joanne Cummins importance to the heritage of the area. Judith Findlater Joanne Glymond We would also like to extend a special Caroline Hegarty thanks to those who contributed to the Seamus Laverty exhibition through donations, loans, expertise or memories including: Anna Marie McClelland Amanda McKinstry Sean Barden Noelle Murtagh William McAlpine Dympna Tumilty Brian McCalmont Ursula Mhic An tSaoir Thomas Murphy Pauline Reardon

Compiled and edited by Noreen Cunningham and Ken Abraham.

Every effort has been made to correctly attribute photographs used in this booklet and accompanying exhibition. G. WattersDesign: 07929131753 Edward Street Railway Station in Newry, c. 1964. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo

Warrenpoint Railway Station, c. 1964. Courtesy of A. & B. Domleo A diesel train on the Newry to Warrenpoint railway line passing in the summer of 1964. The line closed in January1965. © William McAlpine