The story of Athlone's railway history is a fascinating one. During the 1840s, there was a race between two seperate railway companies, the MGWR and the Great Southern & Western Railway (GSWR) to build a railway line for Athlone to link Galway with Dublin.
This race was won by the MGWR when it opened in 1851. The task was not an easy one, however as a bridge had to be built over the Shannon to carry the trains.
Railway Viaduct
Viaduct
The Athlone viaduct was erected in 1850.
Copyright of Westmeath Library ServiceViaduct
Copyright of Westmeath Library Service
Copyright of Westmeath Library Service
Viaduct
The Athlone viaduct was erected in 1850.
Copyright of Westmeath Library ServiceThe Railway Viaduct in Athlone was built for the purposes of carrying trains over the River Shannon in Athlone. The bridge, which was 542 feet long was originally shipped to Limerick before being sent to Athlone by barge.
It was built in 1850 and the first commercial train to cross the bridge did so in July of 1851.
The viaduct was designed to be a moving structure so that ships below with tall masts could still use that part of the river.
Two stations
From 1860 on, the people of Athlone were blessed with not one but two train stations. The MGWR built their station in 1851 in the west of the town while 8 years later the GSWR's station was open for business.
MGWR Athlone
The MGWR Station in Athlone was opened in 1851.
MGWR Athlone
MGWR Athlone
The MGWR Station in Athlone was opened in 1851.
The MGWR station was designed by J.S. Mulvany. Its railway line was on the first level of the building so passengers would have to descend one flight of stairs before exiting on the street. The station also shared its premises with a hotel and finally closed in 1983. It is now used as engineering offices for Irish Rail.
The second station was opened in 1859 by the GSWR. It was designed by George Wilkinson but from 1927 it was used as a goods station only and passengers would use the MGWR station.
This changed in 1985 when all passenger trains were directed through this station and that continues to this day.