Ballymungret

The move to diesel traction took place faster in Ireland than in the UK.
The reasons for this were twofold firstly the cost of transporting coal across the Irish Sea was expensive, secondly the economies of the diesel engine capable to being stopped and started in a relatively quick time would save on both staff and idling fuel waste.
This was the case especially on branches where there could be lulls in traffic for long periods.

The town of Ballymungret is a fictitious location based on the Dublin Belfast main line close to the border.
Two branches come in from the North a narrow-gauge line (gauge 3 ft) and a broad-gauge one (5ft 3in).
This creates a fair amount of exchange traffic from the connecting lines, added to this another broad-gauge branch comes in from the south.
The narrow-gauge line is the second longest in Ireland running passenger and freight.
The line links Ballymungret with the Cavan and Leitrim Railway at Ballinamore.

Before the railway arrived, it was a small village, but the railway changed it into a bustling hive of activity.
Today (2020) the branches have gone, there is just the main line through the site, expresses never stop but there is a local train in the morning and evening carrying commuters who work in the City.
The station may not be a patch on its previous self, but the village is booming.

Steam can still be seen alongside Diesels from railways both North and South of the border giving a huge variety of different types and liveries.
Diesel Multiple Units can be seen alongside ancient steam locos eking out their last days prior to retirement.
Then suddenly, the brand-new Enterprise Belfast-Dublin express roars by.
Railways represented are the C.I.E. (Coras Iompair Eireann) Irish railways, (GNR Great Northern Railway), NCC (Northern Counties Commission), UTA (Ulster transport Authority) and others.