Our Progress to Date

Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Company Plans For 2010

Relay the 2km of track from Carriganore to Gracedieu Junction to extend the journey.
Provide picnic tables for use by both rail visitors and walkers.
Improve signage to and at the station entrance.
Continue track and station maintenance.
Continue to rely on the goodwill of volunteers to run the operations of the railway. Recruitment drives carried out periodically throughout the year with full training given by experienced personnel again on a voluntary basis.
Build a train shed and workshop at the station.

2008

Won an Excellence in Business for Hospitality / Tourism Award for Special Event Trains. This is a quartly award managed by Waterford Chamber and Sponsored by VHI Healthcare.
Enjoyed the best season yet despite the weather. Opened to the public in the summer season from Easter to September and mid-term break in February and October. Operated special event trains, Spooky Express and Santa Express. Welcomed over 22,500 visitors to the railway experience.
Mechanic, Mick Doyle restored a Simplex Locomotive and fitted it with an air braking and communication system to make it compatible with the system fitted on the carriages.
Received planning permission for a train shed / workshop.
In June welcomed our 100,000 visitors since opening in 2003.
Welcomed more volunteers on board to join the team.

2007

Recruited and trained lots of new volunteers.
Continued track and station maintenance.
Erected signals at the station.
Opened to the public for mid-term breaks in the summer season from April to September, mid-term break in February and October. Also operated special event trains, Spooky Express and Santa Express. Welcomed over 22,000 visitors to the railway experience.
Funding - Friends Membership, Donations, Golf Classic, Ticket Revenue and Shop Receipts.

2006

Built a new entrance to Kilmeadan Station along with a car park and buy bays.
Achieved the Green Dragon Environmental Standards certificate.
Opened to the public from March to September and for special event trips in February, October and December welcoming 20,000 visitors.
Funding - FAS, Waterford Leader Partnership, Friends Membership, Donations, Ticket Revenue and Shop Receipts.
Lifted 2.5km of track from Carriganore to Gracedieu Junction to allow for the development of the new Waterford City By-Pass. To be replaced in 3 years time.

2005

Conversion of a preserved railway carriage at Kilmeadan Station to use as a ticket office, shop and coffee shop.
With the aid of local voluntary organizations, published a guide book with information on the history of the rail route and the area through which it travels, flora and fauna of the route, history of the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway Company and how to help the project through sponsorship or volunteering.
Fitted a PA system to the train and produced an informative audio tour of the route suitable for different age groups and interests.
Opened to the public from March to September and for special event trips in February, October and December welcoming 20,000 visitors.
Funding - FAS, INTERREG 111a, Waterford County Council, Waterford City Council, Friends Membership, Donations, Ticket Revenue and Shop Receipts.

2004

Track cleared from Gracedieu Junction to Bilberry.
Track laying continued by FAS crew and a further 2km of track laid to Bilberry.
More volunteers recruited and volunteer training carried out.
Railway opened to the public from April to September with 19,126 passengers enjoying the railway experience.
Special event trains organised at Halloween and Christmas.
Simplex Locomotive upgraded to make it suitable for the extra track length and gradients.
Dan Donovan, Project Supervisor receives Vodafone "Passion for the World Around Us" award for the drive and enthusiasm he brings to this community initiative.

2003

Refurbishment of Kilmeadan Station.
Loop and points fitted at Kilmeadan Station.
Committed team of volunteers engaged in the project and training commenced.
Railway opened to the public from May to September with 16,125 passengers enjoying the experience.
Special event trains organised at Halloween and Christmas.
Completion of a further 4km of track to Gracedieu Junction.
Set-up "Celtic Railways" with Llanberis Lake Railway, Wales and received a marketing grant under an EU funded programme, INTERREG 111a which runs until March 2006. This EU initiative supports enterprise led programmes in South East Ireland with similar projects in South West Wales.
Business Development Manager is now funded under this scheme.

2002

Applied to Waterford County Council to upgrade the entrance to the station at Kilmeadan, prepare a car park and build a ticket office and toilets.
Received approval from Waterford Leader Partnership for grant towards extending the track and up-grading station entrance.
Further track panels acquired from Iarnród Éireann.
A further 2.25km of track laid from Mount Congreve Nurseries to Knockhouse Bridge in Carriganore.
Railway opened to the public for week-ends in August.
Project gets special recognition at the FAS Community Initiative Awards.

2001

2000

1999

An independent operating company was established - The Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Co Ltd.
Continued support from FAS, Iarnród Éireann, Waterford County Council, Waterford City Council, Waterford Chamber of Commerce.
Major fundraising appeal to local businesses.

1998

Grant aid received from Waterford City & County Enterprise Boards towards the commissioning of a locomotive and two carriages.
Developed 5-year business plan.
Recruited Project Supervisor and track laying team with support from FAS.
Secured two vintage diesel locomotives from Bord na Mona.
Iarnród Éireann donated track panels to the company to begin track laying.

1997