"What is on offer is a unique journey.... along the shores of a lake as grand as any in Switzerland or Minnesota." - Brian Friel, International Playwright
Welcome to Donegal's only operational narrow gauge railway. Here, nestling deep in the heart of spectacular mountainous scenery steeped in tradition, myth and folklore, and running along the crystal clear waters of Loch Finn you are invited to relive those nostalgic days when Donegal had about 200 miles of narrow gauge railway operated by the County Donegal and Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway Companies.
This unique journey is a three mile return trip right along the shores of Loch Finn. The reopening on the 3rd June 1995 of this first section of the intown - Glenties railway restoration project commemorated the centenary of the original opening in 1895.
The rolling stock presently in use consists of an ex-mining Simplex 102T loco with pride of place given to our three turn - of - the - century Charleroix (Belgian) passenger tramcars. The work-horse for track-laying and shunting is an ex-Bord na Mona bogs railway Ruston loco.
Translated Cumann Tracnach na Gaeltachta Láir is the Central Gaeltacht Train Society.
Gaeltachts are designated areas of Ireland where Gaelic is still the primary language and old Irish traditions and culture form part of everyday life.
An Mhuc Dhubh translates as the Black Pig. This was how locals christened the arrival of the first steam engine 100 years ago. Puffing, "snorting", and billowing plumes of black smoke, this monstrous creature evoked memories of St. Colmcille's prophesy centuries earlier: that there would never be peace in Ireland until the return of the wild pig to the shores of Loch Finn ... !!!
No visit would be complete without experiencing at first hand the "navvy trade". Track laying is ongoing (weekdays) and the goods store/workshop is always a hive of activity. Also worth a second glance are the beautifully restored platform and watertower.
The railway embankment runs parallel to
the road most of the way to Clenties and there are many
impressive cut stone bridges particularly at Shallogans, the
Beanna Bui and Stranaglough. Shallogans Halt platform still
exists and all of the original station buildings at Glenties are
intact, on the right as you enter the town.
(Note: the station house is in private ownership.)
Glenties is renowned as Ireland's tidiest town, winning the coveted title for the 5th time in 1995. St. Connell's Museum & Heritage Centre houses a large collection of C.D.R. artefacts and memorabilia.
Ceann de na tairngireachtaí a rinne Colmcille, agus rinne sé cuid mhór, ná go rithfeadh Muc Dhubh fríd sléibhte Thír Chonaill agus í ag séideadh toit as a gaosán, nó a srón. Duirt sé go bhfillfeadh an tsíocháin sa tír nuair a thiocfadh an Mhuc Dhubh ar ais. Tháinig an tsíocháin ar an chéad lá de Mheán Fómhair 1994 agus tháinig an Mhuc Dhubh ar an 3ú lá de Mheitimh, 1995 - díreach glan céad bliain ón lá ar rith an chéad traein idir Bhealach Féich agus na gleanntaigh.
Welkom
in Baile na Finne, wij hopen dat u geniet van deze unieke reis.
Nous
vous souhaitons la bienvenue à Baile na Finne et nous espérons
que la sortie dans notre train spécial va vous faire plaisir.
Willkommen
in Baile na Finne. Wir wünschen Ihnen eine angenehme Fahrt mit
unserem Sonderzug.
Ben
venuti a Balle na Finne, spero gradiate questa breve sosta.
The railway will be in
operation from June - September.
| JUNE | ||
| Monday/Friday | 1.00pm - 4.00pm | |
| Sunday | 1.00pm - 5.00pm | |
| JULY - SEPTEMBER | ||
| Monday/Friday | 11.00am - 5.00pm | |
| Saturday/Sunday | 11.00am - 6.00pm | |
Halloween Ghost Train
will run Bank Holiday Weekend
Santa Specials will run during December
Departures from
Fintown
Every 30 minutes on the hour and
half hour
FARES
Adults £2.00, Child £1.00, Family
£6.00
For further information, and group bookings please ring us on 074-9546280 (+353-74-9546280)
You can also email us at here.
Page updated 16th August, 2005