Historic day as Midleton rail line opens again

FOR 81-year-old John Collins it was a day of nostalgia mixed with pride.

He drove the last train out of Midleton on March 17, 1988, and, 21 years later, his nephew took the controls of the first one to come back.

Yesterday morning, John travelled on the VIP train with Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey which headed out of Cork to Midleton on the reopened €75 million commuter rail line.

The original line was completed nearly 150 years ago, almost to the day, and the regular service finished in 1963.

But John vividly remembers the day Iarnród Éireann put on a special train on March 17, 1988. The local hurling club were playing in the All-Ireland club final at Croke Park against Athenry, Co Galway. It was a special day as Midleton won the title.

“It brings back such great memories. I didn’t think I would live to see this day. I’m only sorry it is not going as far as Youghal,” John said.

His 58-year-old nephew, Kieran Collins, said driving the first train back to Midleton was one of the proudest moments of his life.

“As a child I often travelled down to Youghal on the train. I’m the fourth generation of railway workers. I am so proud to get the honour to drive this train,” Kieran said.

The whistle blew and the train rolled out slightly behind schedule at 12.22pm. A few minutes later it was the turn of a much younger person to share the limelight.

Three-year-old Maedhbh de Búrca assisted Mr Dempsey in unveiling a commemorate plaque at Carrigtwohill railway station.

If Iarnród Éireann officials had any doubts that the service wouldn’t be a hit they were dispelled as the train pulled into Midleton.

Gardaí estimated that up to 3,000 people waving flags and holding balloons had turned up to witness the historic event.

Among them was former town councillor Kathleen Woulfe who started campaigning for the return of the train 25 years ago.

Tears welled in her eyes as she said it was one of the proudest days in her life. Kathleen lives in the old station house and her husband, Michael, worked for Iarnród Éireann for 25 years.

“I would urge the people of Youghal to start campaigning now for the reintroduction of their service. Now’s the time to do that so when the economy turns around they might get it back,” Kathleen said.

Iarnród Éireann put on a free barbecue and entertainment for all those who had turned up.

Such large crowds queued in Kent Station that the company put on a number of extra trains to accommodate them.

Iarnród Éireann press officer Barry Kenny described the public interest as “quite incredible”.

Midleton Chamber of Commerce president Cillian O’Sullivan said his organisation had started a major promotion detailing what the town had to offer

“Hopefully people will really support this,” he said.