Government Intervenes

On 8 August 1922 C.B. & P .R. services again ceased when Republican forces demolished the Douglas viaduct in an attempt to delay the Free State army's advance on Cork . Alternative transport was provided on the river and a second steamer Hibernia . joined the Albert. In January 1923 further damage was caused to the line when some station houses and signal stations were destroyed. Temporary repairs to the Douglas viaduct by the Free State army's Railway Maintenance and Repair Corps allowed an emergency rail service to resume on 23 April 1923, and in December a heavy steel bridge was erected. Government aid helped repair other damage and £592 was expended on the Crosshaven Glen Viaduct.

The findings of a Provisional government committee set up to investigate Irish railways heralded the amalgamation of several companies. At a special meeting of the C.B. & P.R. on 13 August 1924 the absorption of the company into the new Great Southern Railway Company was approved. The final meeting of the C.B. & P .R. took place at the company's Albert Street office on 27 February 1925 and it was revealed that the company as such would cease to exist after March 1925.

The policy of using government taxation to maintain roads, which were being 'used by motors to convey traffic in competition with the railway companies' had been criticised by the C.B. & P .R. This was repeated at the Great Southern Railway Company's meeting in August 1932 and it was alleged that railways were unable to obtain assistance from unfair road competition. The public had abandoned the railway and the closure of the Monkstown to Crosshaven section of the former C.B. & P .R. on 31 May 1932 was a victory for road transport. It seemed obvious that the remaining portion would also yield to the onslaught. In spite of meetings and petitions the Cork to Monkstown section, which had been losing about £4,000 per annum saw the last train move along its 'permanent way' on 10 September 1932.

Railway Deserted

A fickle public in favour of the seemingly more convenient and attractive omnibus had deserted the railway line, which just a century previously had promised to be one of the most picturesque in Europe . During recent years commercial and residential developments in the harbour towns have resulted in huge, and ever- increasing volumes of road traffic. The haste with which the railway infrastructure was removed or destroyed was a glaring example of an absence of thoughtful forward planning. If the railway network had been left in place it would now be an invaluable resource for the population of Cork city and the harbour towns.