Belfast-Larne railway line

The Belfast-Larne railway line is a picturesque line for the most part. It runs as double track along the majority of its route up the east Antrim coastline from Belfast to Larne serving commuters and ferry passengers. Recently refurbished between Carrickfergus and Larne, track quality has improved and services have become more reliable.

Route

Belfast

From Belfast Central, the line crosses the River Lagan, branches from the Bangor Line, recrosses the Lagan parallel to the M3 motorway on the Dargan Bridge and reaches its first stop, Yorkgate, which replaced the former York Road terminus in 1992. Parallel to the dual five-lane M2 motorway (once the UK's widest), the line now heads northeast, past the main Northern Ireland Railways engineering depot and engine sheds, along the coast towards Whitehouse, a former halt. The M2 branches north, and the railway travels along the Causeway Coastal Route (the A2 road) all the way to Larne.

Whiteabbey

At Whiteabbey, the line enters a cutting and climbs towards Bleach Green Junction. The station is long gone here too, but the lines diverge here from the Antrim Line. Next stops Jordanstown (University of Ulster, level crossing), Greenisland (former junction) and Trooperslane (level crossing) are still a few hundred yards inland, and Belfast Lough can be seen from time to time where development is sparse. After Trooperslane, the line passes through a former halt at Mount. This station was closed in the early 1970s.

Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus town still boasts three stations, Clipperstown, Carrickfergus and Downshire. The former halt at Barn has been closed since 1977. At Downshire bridge the line crosses the A2 road once more and from here north, it hugs the coastline at low level, offering spectacular views over the lough towards County Down and the Copeland Islands.

Downshire

From Downshire, the line runs through a former halt at Eden. The station here was closed back in 1977. Erosion has played havoc with the minimal maintenance along this section, and the line singles now at Kilroot (closed halt, power station) where previously it carried on as double track to Whitehead. The outer up track has been removed (officially temporarily) for safety reasons. At Whitehead Station, there is a passing loop and a spur to the former Excursion Station which is the headquarters of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.

Larne

Then north to Larne as single track, there are three intermediate halts, Ballycarry, Magheramorne, and Glynn, each serving villages en route. On the coastal side, the peninsula of Islandmagee blocks views of Scotland, but forms the wildlife wetlands of Larne Lough. Small sections of the track at the Larne end are built on causeways, forming ponds landside of the railway.

On entering the town, the railway again crosses the road inland to Larne Town station before reaching its terminus at Larne Harbour station, sharing its building with the ferry terminal for the Port of Larne.

Official Website

http://www.translink.co.uk