Dublin to Sligo

Drivers Eye View

In 2004, the Intercity route to Sligo was still traversed by diesel locomotive-hauled trains.

2004 was destined to be their penultimate year of operation before route modernisation and the inauguration of DMU traction.

Our train of Mk 2 coaches – hauled by class 071 locomotive 088, starts its journey in one of the terminal platforms at Dublin’s Connolly Station.

The line follows the course of the Royal Canal most of the way to Mullingar - the railway having actually purchased the canal before building the line.

After leaving the western suburbs of the capital, the line is controlled by time-honoured electric key token block sections and semaphore signaling.

Many level crossing gates are still opened and shut by hand.

As well as seeing this scenic line from the driver’s cab, there are the usual trackside shots, shots of the drivers and signalmen at work and aerial shots taken from a helicopter accompanying our train all the way to the west coast town of Sligo.