West Clare Railway
West Clare Railway
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4.0
33 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
5
Average
2
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Robert N
Manchester, UK105 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
According to its website this site is closed to the public, but that's not quite totally correct. It is open for private visits, provided you fix them up with the owner beforehand. Write using the e mail address on the website several weeks in advance of your intended visit, and offer some flexibility in timing on the day.
I was very warmly welcomed by Jackie Whelan and shown round the site, including the two platforms, the station building and of course the sites star attraction, the restored locomotive 'Slieve Callan'. There are lots of photos and other displays about the history of the line. Jackie himself is very well versed on the line and its history.
Javkie Hope's to have a limited summer opening in 2024.
I was very warmly welcomed by Jackie Whelan and shown round the site, including the two platforms, the station building and of course the sites star attraction, the restored locomotive 'Slieve Callan'. There are lots of photos and other displays about the history of the line. Jackie himself is very well versed on the line and its history.
Javkie Hope's to have a limited summer opening in 2024.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DykeHillTopCat
Tatworth, UK29 contributions
May 2019
The West Clare Railway used to run from the County Town of Ennis to Kilrush in County Clare. It was a 3 foot narrow gauge railway which closed in 1961. A short length of line has been preserved at Moyasta Junction. They have an original steam engine which used to be outside Ennis station but is now in working order. There are a number of diesel locos most worked on the Bord na Mona system. There is an embryo main line museum with a number of exhibits covered over by sheets.
Written 21 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IT-nerd-on-the-road
UK202 contributions
Aug 2019
Called in when in the area on business. Had wanted to visit for ages. Sadly the place seems to be near derelict. Old diesel engines corroding out in the open as are the Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaches. Station building in need of attention.
The narrow gauge steam engine was not operating but at least it was safely under cover. The two narrow gauge coaches were porous with rust. I fear this collection of railway engineer pieces will not survive many more winters of sea air and salt without significant intervention. Such a pity after all the effort to assemble the collection.
The narrow gauge steam engine was not operating but at least it was safely under cover. The two narrow gauge coaches were porous with rust. I fear this collection of railway engineer pieces will not survive many more winters of sea air and salt without significant intervention. Such a pity after all the effort to assemble the collection.
Written 21 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kev A
Crewe, UK30 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
With friends from the Branch Line Society, we arranged a group visit to explore the railway, see the locomotive and carriages, and ride on the train. We were made very welcome. A wonderful destination and to be recommended to anyone in the area. The staff were exceptional.
There are exciting plans for the future - so please visit if in the area. We arrived from Tarbert on the ferry.
There are exciting plans for the future - so please visit if in the area. We arrived from Tarbert on the ferry.
Written 21 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shina W
Romsey, UK15 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
The owners are so enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. We visited with a group of railway enthusiasts. My husband has wanted to see this line for 40 years and dream was realised.
Written 3 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hazell C
41 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We found this quite by accident, but went in to see it, We were treated to a really good history of the railway and lots of interesting facts, we also had a short train ride. Free attraction but donations are encouraged to keep the railway alive
Written 20 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan B
Melbourne, Australia94 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Arrived just prior to 1 pm when the first train was to depart. The only people around were the waiting potential passengers, abovut 14 of them. But no ticket office open, no station house open, a quiet train at the platform and not a staff member to be seen..
A person from one of the large parties contacted the railway and discovered that the driver had called in sick and that the train would not be running.
Very unfortunate, however, The general consensus was that perhaps the railway could have had someone visit the station and leave a note on the platform to advise potential paying customers of the situation.
The 14 paying customers who left took their money with them.
I must say also that the state of the rolling stock hardly qualifies the claim on the obviously lapsed website that the railway is lrelands premier railway, or similar words. Far from it I think.
Hopefully they will be able to improve the railway soon and I wish them good luck
A person from one of the large parties contacted the railway and discovered that the driver had called in sick and that the train would not be running.
Very unfortunate, however, The general consensus was that perhaps the railway could have had someone visit the station and leave a note on the platform to advise potential paying customers of the situation.
The 14 paying customers who left took their money with them.
I must say also that the state of the rolling stock hardly qualifies the claim on the obviously lapsed website that the railway is lrelands premier railway, or similar words. Far from it I think.
Hopefully they will be able to improve the railway soon and I wish them good luck
Written 9 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie_Arthur
County Tipperary, Ireland1 contribution
Jun 2017 • Solo
I visited Moyasta station at 3.45 pm on Monday 12/06/2017. The place was deserted and neglected, with nothing to suggest that it has recently been open or would ever be open again. The website gives opening times for 2016 as 1-4 pm (implying daily) from May to September but nothing more recent. I naively assumed that to mean 2017 would be the same. Silly me!
There aren't even any signs on the road to direct visitors to the station and to entice passing tourists! I actually drove past (westbound) without spotting it - despite a rail nut's antennae for any signs of a railway - and the fact that I was expecting to find plenty!! After a few miles, I turned back, with my antennae set to maximum and found it - but there's no sign for eastbound traffic either. The casual visitor would have no reason to think there was anything to see.
The only indication that the WCR might still operate occasionally was that the gates to the station yard were open. But there were no timetables posted or any other notices to advise when it might be open to visitors. I'd made a two-hour detour to see it too, so it was pretty disappointing - though I enjoyed the drive anyway!
One other gripe: I only noticed just now the drop-down menu on the website under Opening Times. This says that trains only operate for pre-booked groups. Given the potential for disappointment, that note should be given much more prominence.
It is especially sad when contrasted with the numerous comparable restored steam railways in Wales and further afield. I cannot help wondering if the efforts to resurrect the WCR, heroic as they might be, are a case of too little, too late. I hope not.......
I well understand the difficulties for a small band of volunteers to keep such attractions going, not to mention the huge cost and effort by Jackie and others to get the restoration of the WCR to this stage.
But visitors and visitor income are vital. It's not that hard to get a few words updated on a website - if only to say CLOSED UFN. It's not that hard to post up a notice to the same effect in the window of the "retired" dining car that serves as an office. Or to apologize for temporary closure due to sickness, for example. It's not much harder to make a hand-made sign for passing traffic (although, to be fair, it could be that such a sign had been taken down because of a temporary closure).
Many visitors to such attractions are motivated by a desire to help, if only by spending a few euro. How can we help the WCR if it makes so little effort to help itself?
There aren't even any signs on the road to direct visitors to the station and to entice passing tourists! I actually drove past (westbound) without spotting it - despite a rail nut's antennae for any signs of a railway - and the fact that I was expecting to find plenty!! After a few miles, I turned back, with my antennae set to maximum and found it - but there's no sign for eastbound traffic either. The casual visitor would have no reason to think there was anything to see.
The only indication that the WCR might still operate occasionally was that the gates to the station yard were open. But there were no timetables posted or any other notices to advise when it might be open to visitors. I'd made a two-hour detour to see it too, so it was pretty disappointing - though I enjoyed the drive anyway!
One other gripe: I only noticed just now the drop-down menu on the website under Opening Times. This says that trains only operate for pre-booked groups. Given the potential for disappointment, that note should be given much more prominence.
It is especially sad when contrasted with the numerous comparable restored steam railways in Wales and further afield. I cannot help wondering if the efforts to resurrect the WCR, heroic as they might be, are a case of too little, too late. I hope not.......
I well understand the difficulties for a small band of volunteers to keep such attractions going, not to mention the huge cost and effort by Jackie and others to get the restoration of the WCR to this stage.
But visitors and visitor income are vital. It's not that hard to get a few words updated on a website - if only to say CLOSED UFN. It's not that hard to post up a notice to the same effect in the window of the "retired" dining car that serves as an office. Or to apologize for temporary closure due to sickness, for example. It's not much harder to make a hand-made sign for passing traffic (although, to be fair, it could be that such a sign had been taken down because of a temporary closure).
Many visitors to such attractions are motivated by a desire to help, if only by spending a few euro. How can we help the WCR if it makes so little effort to help itself?
Written 13 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malahide man
Dalkey, Ireland165 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Dropped by here on Easter Sunday. Got into conversation with Jackie Whelan who set up this bit of history. Absolutely fascinating talking to him. He is so passionate about the museum and has great plans to set up a National Railway Museum. Using his own resources he has purchased other engines and rolling stock being retired by Irish Rail. Took us for a spin in one of the carriages which had been partially restored. Don't pass this place. A must see.
Written 17 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smwgeorgeEngland
England9 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Travelled from Tralee on the Shannon river ferry with steam enthusiast family, so got there early before published opening time of 1pm to 4pm which gave us time to eat our lunch. Unfortunately as the clock approached 1pm there was no sign of anyone at the railway or any sign to indicate they were closed that day unfortunately.
We stayed another half an hour.....very enthusiastic family! but still no one connected to railway arrived. Very disappointed as were the other 3/4 cars that arrived and left. Bit like the Marie Celeste as the engine was connected to the carriage and the engine shed was open........
We stayed another half an hour.....very enthusiastic family! but still no one connected to railway arrived. Very disappointed as were the other 3/4 cars that arrived and left. Bit like the Marie Celeste as the engine was connected to the carriage and the engine shed was open........
Written 6 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theniceguy
Cork31 contributions
Does anyone know is this place still open
Malahide man
Dalkey, Ireland165 contributions
Yes but you should phone in advance. It is run as a hobby by a Jackie Whelan who owns a recycling company in Ennis. He only opens for limited hours at weekends. Despite this I would urge you to go. He is so passionate about his hobby and is a fascinating person to talk to. My wife has no interest in trains but she came away after our visit all enthused and wants to bring one of our grandsons from Dublin to see it. GO
ruthiejane
Oswestry, UK3 contributions
How long should we allow for a visit?
Malahide man
Dalkey, Ireland165 contributions
We spent approx 1 1/2hours with him and didn't notice the time passing. 20 minutes was on the free ride on the old railway. He is so interesting. Some of the exhibits reminded me of the days I used to get the train from Malahide to my school in Dublin City centre. He won't charge but there is a contribution box in the station house. We gave him 20€.
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