Tramore Hidden History
The Old Railway Bridge Tramore
As you enter Tramore on the main road if you look to your left you will see one of the last remaining artifacts of the long gone Tramore railway line. This is one of a number of railway bridges that the Tramore Train passed under bringing its cargo of happy holiday makers for over 100 years.
The railway line running from Waterford City to Tramore was opened up in September 1853. It closed down in December 1960.It was a single line track with a turn table at both ends to turn the engine. There were 10 trains every weekday in each direction and nine on Sundays. There were two classes of carriages. First Class and second Class. Children under 3 years travelled free and children over and under 12 years at half price. Dogs could travel on the train but they needed a ticked purchased for them.
When the company started its service, smoking was strictly prohibited in the carriages and at the stations. It would appear that they were ahead of their time in relation to health and safety of their workforce and passengers.
A blue plaque is attached to the bridge and gives the following information.
“The historic Waterford-Tramore train ran under this Railway Bridge an estimated 797,624 times from 1853 to 1960”
History by Paul Brent
