A closer look at the Portadown-Armagh railway line

[@arthurhalligan]

Finding this very interesting, i was on platform one along with my father and brother on the night the station closed, i was nine years old ,a sad night.

[@eamonnca1]

We'll get this line reopened.

[@DennisDunlop-kj5wq]

Great video,I am old enough to remember train's running on this line, would have loved to help you with your research especially from Portadown to Richhill

[@eamonnca1]

Hi Dennis, are you involved with PARS?

[@gaa-crossey1642]

Great video Eamonn keep them coming love these videos hopefully they bring some of the lines back

[@eamonnca1]

I hope so too

[@stevenc123]

The Retreat refers to a large house used as a care home for people with mental health needs. It's now called Apple Blossom Lodge Care Home. The statue is the Castle Dillon Obelisk. There is another one which was built on the part of the Palace Demesne which later turned into the golf course, called the Rokeby Obelisk.

[@Sleepywhispers79]

My auntie used to do home help for the woman who lived at Richhill station back in the early 90s and my cousin and I loved going to it and were totally fascinating by it

[@wanemergency3591]

My dad lived in the house beside it when I was a kid. It was a brilliant place to have excess to as a kid

[@Sleepywhispers79]

@@wanemergency3591 Funny you commented on this and there was a meeting about it in Armagh hotel lastnight

[@martinwalsh3228]

All closed railway lines must reopen throughout the island of Ireland North, South, East, West & Midlands too stop 1) Pollution, 2) Road Deaths & Car Accidents & 3) Traffic Jams 24 hour trains in summer & St. Stephen's Day trains too.

[@eddieaston4845]

This is something that needs to happen. This line should never have been closed. Years ago some freight would have been seen on the line. But also l think it would be good if they could run a line towards the airport where it would make sence.

[@eamonnca1]

There used to be a branch from the Knockmore line that ran into RAF Aldergrove as it was then. I remember taking a train to Ballymena on that line years ago and being able to see the tails of the planes from the train. Silly that they never restored a branch into the airport. Even sillier that they mothballed the line.

[@eddieaston4845]

@@eamonnca1 thanks for that Eamonn.

[@ramc73]

The obelisk that you seen was in the grounds of Castledillon. Owned by the Molyneux family. I believe GIs and then British troops where stationed there.

[@eamonnca1]

That would explain it. I suspected some sort of GI connection. They were stationed in all sorts of stately homes, including Brownlow House in my hometown of Lurgan. It’s an interesting bit of history that I don’t think gets enough attention

[@ramc73]

@@eamonnca1 I've a lot of history with GIs in North Ireland. My granny was a GI bride.

[@gavinbamford1095]

Very interesting indeed. I would think that the best station option is on the Translink bus station site entered into via the old station entrance with original pillars still extant. Closer to the city.

[@eamonnca1]

Hmm. Did I get the location of the station building wrong? Would it have been on the site of what is now Philip White Tyres? What I like about recycling the original line at this point is that it leaves open the possibility of a future extension as far south as the Athletic Grounds, potentially on to Keady and Castleblayney, plus potential reopening of the line to Monaghan, Clones and Enniskillen.

[@gavinbamford1095]

@@eamonnca1 probably very close, across the road from the business you mentioned in the video. OS 4th edition shows the site well.

[@eamonnca1]

It certainly does. Seems like the tracks were where Philip White Tyres are, the goods shed was where Armatile is, and the lovely old building with the nice columns was Armagh Electrical Supplies is now. I suspect there was another goods shed or engine shed where that Ulsterbus shed is now, the walls seem to be in exactly the same place. So a potential scenario is Armatile could be left alone, but the businesses on the other side of Station Road could be asked to move. It seems like Station Road was built after the station closed, I had just assumed it was there at the time of the railway. The upper part of Station Rd was built on top of the old permanent way. Still, I think a fundamental re-think of land-use in this area would be in order if we're to maximise the potential of the railway.

[@MrMansun95]

This line needs to reopen !

[@The_Project_Shed]

Great videos, i have looked through google many times at the old railways. I have walked lisommon tunnel a few times as well. The care home at the retreat stop i think is called the retreat care home. I have been in the grounds and there is what i always thought was a siding that ran down from where the main line was and went into what i thought was some sort of repair shed which is still there, or at least was the last time i was there. I didnt realise there was originally a stop there at one time so this could have been the station house. Next time i am down that way i will take a few photos of it

[@eamonnca1]

That'd be great. Thanks!

[@riochcogan8913]

Great analysis 👍

[@andrewloney4391]

Im just seeing this video now, i really enjoyed it as it is of personal interest to me, I was brought up on a farm that backed unto the the line between Crewcat road and Richhill station. The line closed about the time I was born but it was always a great playground for us kids. Sleepers were piled up on our farm. Stones that the sleepers were laid on were carted off by the trailer load for various projects around the farm. I have read various comments and they have answered your questions, but to add, the Obelisk you mentioned on Castledillion Est was erected in 1782, and there is also a large lake on the estate. Im told the Manor house is now in a dangerous condition. I have noted that you worked in Irwins Bakery, I also worked there for 4 years 91-95.

[@arthurhalligan]

Armatile is were the railway goods shed was.

[@wanemergency3591]

Its wonderful to see this but i hope common sense prevails and we just make the road better. There is a bus link from armagh to portadown that is never full