The 'first' Luas in Dublin

OliveK

Hi,

I am intrigued by the fact that we actually had a well-regarded tram system in Dublin and that this was dismantled over the decades after Independence ... only to be revived in a limited form in the Noughties.

I am writing an article on this for a journalistic assignment re 'old Dublin'.

It's a long shot, I know, but does anyone out there have relatives still living who may have worked on the final lines in the 1940s (in whatever capacity) or who have interesting stories to share about the 'first' Luas????

Any insights appreciated, thanks


OliveK:)

Judgement Day

You could do worse than contact The National Transport Museum in Howth http://www.nationaltransportmuseum.org/ if anybody knows where to start looking they will.

OliveK

Thanks very much, Judgement Day - will do that!:)

Cookie_Monster

You can still find bits of it here and there.

There is a tram out the front on Collins Barracks (at least I think it's still there)
The old tram yard in Dalkey is still there also, as a working garage, you can see the rails in the road on the grounds.

MRSI (Model Rail Society of Ireland) have just built a layout of O'Connell St depicting the height of tram running up and down it, it's very good. I imagine someone there would be able to provide some info, they must have had to do a lot of research for it themselves. Google MRSI to find their site.

AlekSmart

OliveK,I would recommend a recent book by well known SIPTU member Bill McCamley called:
Dublin Tramworkers.
1872-1945.

It`s published by The Labour Histpry Workshop.
10 Glasanaon Park
Finglas East.
Dublin 11.

A damn good read with plenty of insights into the Companies,their people and the times in which they prospered.

OliveK

Thanks, CookieMonster & AlexSmart:)

Losty Dublin

Another book that's a must is Michael Corcoran's "Through Streets Broad and Narrow". It's very hard to get at times, PM me and I'll try dig you out with a contact for same.

jmkennedyie

I understand that the well maintained sheds of Sureweld beside the Hermitage Golfclub were the works for the tram that went through Lucan.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lucan&aq=&sll=53.291402,-6.688866&sspn=0.030167,0.090895&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lucan,+County+Fingal,+Ireland&ll=53.35874,-6.410716&spn=0.000941,0.00284&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.358778,-6.410996&panoid=rNxnP3RR89thymHzHID9sQ&cbp=12,54.96,,1,5.53

OliveK

Thanks very much, jmkennedy.ie:)

CIE

jmkennedyie wrote: »

I understand that the well maintained sheds of Sureweld beside the Hermitage Golf club were the works for the tram that went through Lucan.

That started out as a steam tram, which actually operated as a three-car train on the roadway interestingly enough. This view might be recognisable to some people, since the 66/A/B and 67 run there now.

L1011

jmkennedyie wrote: »

I understand that the well maintained sheds of Sureweld beside the Hermitage Golfclub were the works for the tram that went through Lucan.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lucan&aq=&sll=53.291402,-6.688866&sspn=0.030167,0.090895&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lucan,+County+Fingal,+Ireland&ll=53.35874,-6.410716&spn=0.000941,0.00284&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.358778,-6.410996&panoid=rNxnP3RR89thymHzHID9sQ&cbp=12,54.96,,1,5.53

The "shed" is actually hiding brick construction in parts. Dunno what roof the original depot had, it may be gone or compromised, hence the metal.

OliveK

Thanks, CIE!

CIE wrote: »

That started out as a steam tram, which actually operated as a three-car train on the roadway interestingly enough. This view might be recognisable to some people, since the 66/A/B and 67 run there now.

seamus

One of the stations from the Blessington Tramway is still there:
http://maps.google.ie/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.118834,-6.586647&spn=0.018776,0.038581&z=15&layer=c&cbll=53.118932,-6.586481&panoid=q8bU71SQa3iq9KV3xJ81ng&cbp=12,115.75,,0,0.39

It's a private house now, but they may have more information for you or be able to point you in the right direction.

the_syco

From an earlier thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056135133

the_syco wrote: »

On that point, there's a bit of tram tracks still visible nearby Leixlip village (an extension of the Dublin and Lucan Steam Tramway). What is now the 66 Dublin bus route used to be a tram route, more or less. If you Google bus routes by location name, and put "tram" after them, you'll get a few Wikipedia links.

Also found that there's quite a bit of information on wikipedia, once you use the words dublin tram.

Doodah7

Also look for a book produced last year on the Terenure and Blessington Tram. Local libraries in Wicklow will have it or get it for you.

the_syco

tallpaul wrote: »

Also look for a book produced last year on the Terenure and Blessington Tram. Local libraries in Wicklow will have it or get it for you.

From that, Google gave me this: http://gofree.indigo.ie/~nigelo/dbstframes.htm

ollaetta

There is a website for Dublin bus operators which has a section on memories of older times which should include the changeover from the trams. I popped the word tram into the search box and this was the result: http://garaiste.yuku.com/search/text/forum/14?q=tram&submit=Search+Forum

Might be of some use to you.

OliveK

tallpaul wrote: »

Also look for a book produced last year on the Terenure and Blessington Tram. Local libraries in Wicklow will have it or get it for you.

Thanks for all these tips, seamus, the_syco, tallpaul, ollaetta!

CIE

the_syco wrote: »

From that, Google gave me this: http://gofree.indigo.ie/~nigelo/dbstframes.htm

Would've been fascinating if we did end up with the Central Wicklow & Glendalough extension. They would have needed electrification for that one, especially to help going up the grades...