2. RAILWAYS
  3. IRISH RAILWAYS

THE FINTONA BRANCH OF THE G.N.R.I.

The Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway opened the railway station in Fintona as a temporary terminus in June 1853. In 1854, the mainline to Enniskillen was completed, a junction being made about a half mile northwest of Fintona Station to enable this. Mainline services were withdrawn from Fintona in 1856 and the line to Fintona, now an isolated stub, became a short branch from the mainline. Most passenger services on this branch line were then provided by a horse-drawn tram car. The branch line and the station at Fintona were closed in October 1957. Timetables were worked out on what a horse could reasonably be expected to achieve. This meant that rail authorities allowed 10 minutes for the slightly downhill trip to Fintona, and 15 minutes for the return working. Seven trips per day were scheduled in summer 1951. The tramcar which was used for the majority of the 104 years entered service in 1883, had longitudinal seating, back to back on the upper deck and with seats facing each other on the lower deck. Originally the latter was divided into 1st and 2nd class, and the top deck was 3rd class. The car is estimated to have covered 125,000 miles in its ambulation’s on the branch. Goods wagons for Fintona were worked by a steam engine which made a return trip in the morning before passenger services started. Quite obviously, a number of different horses were employed as motive power over the 104 years but, presumably to avoid confusion, all were called 'Dick' regardless of their sex!
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The Fintona horse tram at Fintona Junction - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, all goods trains were worked by a locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum.
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The Fintona horse tram at Fintona Junction - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, all goods trains were worked by a locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum.

  • At some time not too long before closure, the just visible 'Dick' heads towards Fintona from the Junction.
  • FINTONA JUNCTION - Seen here in April 1964, some 6 years after closure, with the Fintona Branch curving away on the left.
  • The Fintona horse tram at Fintona - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, all goods trains were worked by a locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum.
  • The Fintona horse tram at Fintona Junction - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, all goods trains were worked by a locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum.
  • The Fintona horse tram at Fintona Junction - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, all goods trains were worked by a locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum.
  • The Fintona horse tram at Fintona Junction - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, goods trains were worked by locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum.
  • The Fintona horse tram at Fintona Junction in 1939 - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, all goods trains were worked by a locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum.
  • The Fintona horse tram at Fintona Town - in its 104 year existence, all passenger trains were worked by horse, all goods trains were worked by a locomotive. The branch closed on 30/09/57. The tramcar dated from 1883 and is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum. Seen here in September 1957 - I think it must be market day!
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