In the beginning The narrow gauge railway opened in 1887 and closed in 1959 . The line ran from Dromod to Belturbet in county Cavan and from Ballinamore to Arigna . The decision to build a light railway or narrow gauge as it was called was influenced by cost . The first train Work on the line started in 1884 and was finished in 1887. The first money-making train was a special of pigs from Mohill fair which ran on September 6th and the first passenger train was on October the 24th .

About the trains

The first Cavan and Leitrim engine stock was made up of eight engines . They were built by R.Stephenson and son at a cost of one thousand one hundred pounds each . They were numbered from one to eight . Number 1,Isabell 2,Kathleen 3,lady Edith 4,Violet 5,Olive 6,May 7,Gertrude and number 8,Queen Victoria . The ninth and the biggest and best train was named the King Edward . The king Edward consisted of two classes first and third . The first had upholstered seating and the third had slatted timber

What it did for its area

The narrow gauge railway was a great help to the development of the area to the midland and the north . It was responsible for the development of the Arigna coalfield . It helped the towns on its route and the fairs and markets in the area.

When it closed and what has happened after it closed

On March 31st 1959 the Cavan and Leitrim railway steamed into history. Today the restoring of the narrow gauge railway is probably the biggest venture in Dromod . The steam engines are back on track again and many of the beautiful old buildings have been carefully restored ,the centre pieces being the stone water tower engine shed . Half a mile of the railway has been rebuilt and it is hoped to extend a further five and a quarter miles through the beautifully unspoilt moorland to Mohill where the station is also being restored. As development work at Dromod is ongoing there is an opportunity to see a railway being built. The Cavan and Leitrim railway represents an inexpensive introduction to the forgotten delights of Irelands narrow gauge railway history.