Belfast–Larne line: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Railway line along Antrim coast, Northern Ireland}} |
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{{refimprove|date=March 2017}} |
{{refimprove|date=March 2017}} |
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{{EngvarB|date= |
{{EngvarB|date=June 2024}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} |
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{{Infobox rail line |
{{Infobox rail line |
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|name = Larne line |
| name = Larne line |
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|color = {{ |
| color = {{rcr|NI Railways|Larne}} |
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|logo = |
| logo = |
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|logo_width = |
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|image |
| image = Train, Magheramorne (2012-1) - geograph.org.uk - 2923273.jpg |
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|image_width = |
| image_width = 300px |
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|caption = [[ |
| caption = [[NIR Class 4000]] train at Magheramorne station in 2012 |
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|type = [[Commuter rail]]<br>[[Regional rail]]<br>[[Heavy rail]] |
| type = [[Commuter rail]]<br>[[Regional rail]]<br>[[Heavy rail]] |
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|system = [[NI Railways]] |
| system = [[NI Railways]] |
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|status = Operational |
| status = Operational |
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|locale = [[Northern Ireland]] |
| locale = [[Northern Ireland]] |
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|start = |
| start = [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]] |
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|end = {{stnlnk|Larne Harbour}} / {{stnlink|Whitehead}} |
| end = {{stnlnk|Larne Harbour}} / {{stnlink|Whitehead}}<br />{{stnlink|Carrickfergus}} <small>(peak only)</small> |
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|stations = 18 |
| stations = 18 |
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|routes = Belfast-Larne Harbour<br />Belfast-Whitehead<br />Belfast-Carrickfergus <small>(peak only)</small> |
| routes = Belfast-Larne Harbour<br />Belfast-Whitehead<br />Belfast-Carrickfergus <small>(peak only)</small> |
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| elevation = |
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|routenumber = NIR Service 2 |
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| map = {{switcher |
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| [[File:Belfast–Larne line.png|300px]]<br />([[:commons:File:Belfast–Larne line.png|Click to expand]]) |
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|elevation = |
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| Show map |
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| {{Belfast–Larne railway line routemap|inline=y}} |
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| Show route diagram |
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The '''Belfast–Larne line''', or '''Larne line''', is a railway line in [[Northern Ireland]], operated by [[Northern Ireland Railways]]. It runs as double track along the majority of its route north along the scenic east [[County Antrim|Antrim]] coastline from [[Belfast]] to the coastal seaport town of [[Larne]], serving commuters and ferry passengers. |
The '''Belfast–Larne line''', or '''Larne line''', is a railway line in [[Northern Ireland]], operated by [[Northern Ireland Railways]]. It runs as double track along the majority of its route north along the scenic east [[County Antrim|Antrim]] coastline from [[Belfast]] to the coastal seaport town of [[Larne]], serving commuters and ferry passengers. |
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===Belfast=== |
===Belfast=== |
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From |
From {{stnlink|Lanyon Place}}, the line crosses the [[River Lagan]] on the [[Lagan Viaduct]], branches from the [[Belfast–Bangor line|Bangor line]], recrosses the Lagan parallel to the [[M3 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M3 motorway]] on the Dargan Bridge and reaches its first stop, {{stnlink|York Street}}, which replaced the former Yorkgate station in 2024. This in turn replaced the line's original {{stnlink|York Road}} terminus in 1992. Parallel to the dual five-lane [[M2 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M2 motorway]] (once the UK's widest), the line now heads northeast, past the main [[Northern Ireland Railways]] engineering depot and engine sheds, along the coast towards Whitehouse, a former halt. The line then continues north along the coast of [[Belfast Lough]]. |
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===Whiteabbey=== |
===Whiteabbey=== |
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At [[Whiteabbey]], the line enters a cutting and climbs towards [[Bleach Green|Bleach Green Junction]]. The station is long gone here too, but the lines diverge here, with the [[Belfast–Derry railway line|Londonderry line]] continuing to |
At [[Whiteabbey]], the line enters a cutting and climbs towards [[Bleach Green|Bleach Green Junction]]. The station is long gone here too (1977), but the lines diverge here, with the [[Belfast–Derry railway line|Londonderry line]] continuing to {{stnlnk|Mossley West}} and {{stnlnk|Antrim}}. The next stops – {{stnlnk|Jordanstown}} ([[University of Ulster]], [[level crossing]]), {{stnlnk|Greenisland}} (former junction) and {{stnlnk|Trooperslane}} (level crossing) – are still a few hundred yards inland, and [[Belfast Lough]] can be seen from time to time where development is sparse. After Trooperslane, the line passes through a former halt at {{stnlnk|Mount}}. This station was closed in the early 1970s. |
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===Carrickfergus=== |
===Carrickfergus=== |
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[[Carrickfergus]] town still has three stations, |
[[Carrickfergus]] town still has three stations, {{stnlink|Clipperstown}}, {{stnlnk|Carrickfergus}} and {{stnlnk|Downshire}}. The former halt at {{stnlnk|Barn}} has been closed since 1977 (around the same time as Bleach Green Halt). At Downshire bridge the line crosses the A2 road once more and from here north, it follows the coastline at low level, offering views over the lough towards [[County Down]] and the [[Copeland Islands]]. |
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===Downshire=== |
===Downshire=== |
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From Downshire, the line runs through a former halt at |
From Downshire, the line runs through a former halt at {{stnlnk|Eden}}. The station here was closed back in 1977 (similar to Barn and Bleach Green Stations). Erosion has affected maintenance along this section, and the line becomes single track now at [[Kilroot power station]] (site of a [[Kilroot railway station|closed halt]]), where previously it carried on as double track to {{stnlink|Whitehead}}. The outer up track has been removed (officially temporarily) for safety reasons. At Whitehead Station, there is a [[passing loop]] and a spur to the former Excursion Station which is the headquarters of the [[Railway Preservation Society of Ireland]]. |
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===Larne=== |
===Larne=== |
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Then north to Larne as single track, there are three intermediate halts, |
Then north to Larne as single track, there are three intermediate halts, {{stnlink|Ballycarry}}, {{stnlink|Magheramorne}}, and {{stnlink|Glynn}}, each serving villages en route. On the coastal side, the peninsula of [[Islandmagee]] blocks views of [[Scotland]], but forms the wildlife wetlands of [[Larne Lough]]. Small sections of the track at the Larne end are built on causeways, forming ponds landside of the railway. |
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On entering the town, the railway again crosses the road inland to [[Larne Town railway station|Larne Town station]] before reaching its terminus at [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour station]], sharing its building with the ferry terminal for the [[Larne|Port of Larne]]. |
On entering the town, the railway again crosses the road inland to [[Larne Town railway station|Larne Town station]] before reaching its terminus at [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour station]], sharing its building with the ferry terminal for the [[Larne|Port of Larne]]. |
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==Services== |
==Services== |
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On weekdays, trains run half-hourly from |
On weekdays, trains run half-hourly from [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]], with the outbound terminus alternating every half an hour between {{stnlink|Larne Harbour}} and {{stnlink|Whitehead}}. Extra services operate at peak times to and from {{stnlink|Carrickfergus}} and {{stnlink|Larne Town}}. The service reduces to hourly operation after 8pm. |
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On Saturdays, |
On Saturdays, a similar pattern is maintained to that of the weekday service, minus additional peak-time trains. |
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On Sundays, the line reduces to hourly operation from |
On Sundays, the line reduces to hourly operation from Grand Central, with the outbound terminus alternating every hour between Whitehead and Larne Harbour. First services on Sunday are later and last services are earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.translink.co.uk/Timetable/Download/34031f37f59cdfa38be36cafbd790248f830ee07f0825628c1e5971f3f54e2ff|title=NIR Larne Line Timetable October 2024|author=Northern Ireland Railways|date=October 2024|accessdate=13 October 2024}}</ref> |
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==Ferry connections== |
==Ferry connections== |
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[[P&O Ferries]] operates ferries to the Scottish terminal of [[Cairnryan Harbour|Cairnryan]] throughout the year. |
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[[P&O Ferries]] operate ferries to [[Cairnryan]] throughout the year and seasonally to [[Troon]]. There are also occasional sailings to [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], [[Isle of Man]] in conjunction with the [[Isle of Man TT]]. |
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===Onward rail connections from Stranraer=== |
===Onward rail connections from Stranraer=== |
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The nearest railway station to |
The nearest railway station to Cairnryan is at {{stnlnk|Stranraer}}. This is around fifteen minutes away by a dedicated connecting bus, route number 350 operated by McLeans.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=13006&p=0| title=350: Stranraer - Railway Station - Cairnryan Ferry Ports| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021075931/http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=13006&p=0| archivedate=21 October 2013| website=Dumfries & Galloway Council| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}</ref> Local buses provide additional journeys between [[Cairnryan]] and [[Stranraer]]. From Stranraer station, [[ScotRail]] trains operate to [[Glasgow Central station|Glasgow Central]]. Sometimes a change is required at {{stnlnk|Ayr}}. |
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===Onward rail connections from Troon=== |
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Connections can be made on [[Abellio ScotRail]] from [[Troon railway station|Troon station]] along the [[Ayrshire Coast Line]] to [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow Central]] and {{stnlnk|Ayr}} and the [[Glasgow South Western Line]] to {{stnlnk|Kilmarnock}}, {{stnlnk|Dumfries}} and {{stnlnk|Carlisle}} (for the [[West Coast Main Line]]). |
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From {{stnlnk|Carlisle}} trains connect {{stnlnk|Newcastle}}, {{stnlnk|Preston}}, {{stnlnk|Manchester Piccadilly}} and {{stnlnk|London Euston}}. From [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow Central]] trains connect with {{stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}}, along the [[East Coast Main Line]] to {{stnlnk|York}} and {{stnlnk|London King's Cross}} and along the [[West Coast Main Line]] to {{stnlnk|London Euston}}. |
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{{Commons category|Belfast–Larne railway line}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* http://www.translink.co.uk |
* http://www.translink.co.uk |
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* [http://www.llpg.org.uk/ Larne Line Passenger Group] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130930005647/http://www.llpg.org.uk/ Larne Line Passenger Group] |
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{{Railway lines in Northern Ireland}} |
{{Railway lines in Northern Ireland}} |
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Latest revision as of 10:30, 29 October 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2017) |
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2923273.jpg)
The Belfast–Larne line, or Larne line, is a railway line in Northern Ireland, operated by Northern Ireland Railways. It runs as double track along the majority of its route north along the scenic east Antrim coastline from Belfast to the coastal seaport town of Larne, serving commuters and ferry passengers.
Route
[edit]Belfast
[edit]From Lanyon Place, the line crosses the River Lagan on the Lagan Viaduct, branches from the Bangor line, recrosses the Lagan parallel to the M3 motorway on the Dargan Bridge and reaches its first stop, York Street, which replaced the former Yorkgate station in 2024. This in turn replaced the line's original York Road terminus in 1992. Parallel to the dual five-lane M2 motorway (once the UK's widest), the line now heads northeast, past the main Northern Ireland Railways engineering depot and engine sheds, along the coast towards Whitehouse, a former halt. The line then continues north along the coast of Belfast Lough.
Whiteabbey
[edit]At Whiteabbey, the line enters a cutting and climbs towards Bleach Green Junction. The station is long gone here too (1977), but the lines diverge here, with the Londonderry line continuing to Mossley West and Antrim. The next stops – Jordanstown (University of Ulster, level crossing), Greenisland (former junction) and Trooperslane (level crossing) – are still a few hundred yards inland, and Belfast Lough can be seen from time to time where development is sparse. After Trooperslane, the line passes through a former halt at Mount. This station was closed in the early 1970s.
Carrickfergus
[edit]Carrickfergus town still has three stations, Clipperstown, Carrickfergus and Downshire. The former halt at Barn has been closed since 1977 (around the same time as Bleach Green Halt). At Downshire bridge the line crosses the A2 road once more and from here north, it follows the coastline at low level, offering views over the lough towards County Down and the Copeland Islands.
Downshire
[edit]From Downshire, the line runs through a former halt at Eden. The station here was closed back in 1977 (similar to Barn and Bleach Green Stations). Erosion has affected maintenance along this section, and the line becomes single track now at Kilroot power station (site of a closed halt), where previously it carried on as double track to Whitehead. The outer up track has been removed (officially temporarily) for safety reasons. At Whitehead Station, there is a passing loop and a spur to the former Excursion Station which is the headquarters of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.
Larne
[edit]Then north to Larne as single track, there are three intermediate halts, Ballycarry, Magheramorne, and Glynn, each serving villages en route. On the coastal side, the peninsula of Islandmagee blocks views of Scotland, but forms the wildlife wetlands of Larne Lough. Small sections of the track at the Larne end are built on causeways, forming ponds landside of the railway.
On entering the town, the railway again crosses the road inland to Larne Town station before reaching its terminus at Larne Harbour station, sharing its building with the ferry terminal for the Port of Larne.
Services
[edit]On weekdays, trains run half-hourly from Belfast Grand Central, with the outbound terminus alternating every half an hour between Larne Harbour and Whitehead. Extra services operate at peak times to and from Carrickfergus and Larne Town. The service reduces to hourly operation after 8pm.
On Saturdays, a similar pattern is maintained to that of the weekday service, minus additional peak-time trains.
On Sundays, the line reduces to hourly operation from Grand Central, with the outbound terminus alternating every hour between Whitehead and Larne Harbour. First services on Sunday are later and last services are earlier.[1]
Ferry connections
[edit]P&O Ferries operates ferries to the Scottish terminal of Cairnryan throughout the year.
Onward rail connections from Stranraer
[edit]The nearest railway station to Cairnryan is at Stranraer. This is around fifteen minutes away by a dedicated connecting bus, route number 350 operated by McLeans.[2] Local buses provide additional journeys between Cairnryan and Stranraer. From Stranraer station, ScotRail trains operate to Glasgow Central. Sometimes a change is required at Ayr.
References
[edit]- ^ Northern Ireland Railways (October 2024). "NIR Larne Line Timetable October 2024". Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "350: Stranraer - Railway Station - Cairnryan Ferry Ports". Dumfries & Galloway Council. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013.
External links
[edit]