Cavan & Leitrim Railway.
Publisher: David & Charles
Published: 1966
Language: eng
Number of pages: 192
Description: THE CAVAN & LEITRIM RAILWAY

The C & L was one of the most fascinating and at one time busiest of Ireland's narrow-gauge railways. Through the accident of its serving a coalfield it remained open many years after most of the other 3 ft gauge lines closed, and in its last days made use of engines and rolling stock sent from these other closed systems. But though the railway had a long career, the predominant theme throughout its life was struggle. In the early years directors faced hostile public opinion and struggled vainly to extend their line to the Arigna coalfields. When the extension was finally built----at a time when the political temperature in Ireland was rising, the initiative was taken by the Government. Changes in the constitution of the Board in 1904 led to friction and some decisions were taken on 'party lines', not always to the best advantage of the C & L.
The story of the railway is also that of this little known part of Ireland and its people. Very human and fiercely devoted to the C a L, they sometimes strained officials to breaking point, but the men's pride in their railway was a key factor after the Amalgamation of 1925. It was their devotion which enabled the line to cope successfully with coal traffic of often mammoth proportions in the last years, long after the railway would have closed had it been dependent on local traffic.
There is much new material in this detailed story of the last outpost of steam operation on the Irish narrow-gauge. Profusely illustrated, it is a book which all narrow-gauge railway and steam enthusiasts, and also those more generally interested in the history of Ireland, will want to possess.  

This description is taken from the front flyleaf of the book cover.