Photo exhibits at two stations mark 75 years of Belfast-Dublin train service

ireland
Photo Exhibits At Two Stations Mark 75 Years Of Belfast-Dublin Train Service
ULSTER Rail 1, © PA Media
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By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Photography exhibitions are being launched at two train stations to mark the 75th anniversary of the flagship Belfast-Dublin Enterprise train service.

In 1947, at 10.30am on August 11th, a seven-carriage steam train left Belfast and headed to Dublin, bringing about a new era in cross-border travel.

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The cross-border railway service would feature in the island’s history: including being the subject of bomb threats during the Troubles, leading to the establishment of the Peace Train Organisation in 1989; and the “Contraceptive Train” event organised by the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement in May 1971.

In its first year in service, one train travelled in each direction. Seventy-five years later, the Enterprise service has eight daily departures in each direction, and Translink says passenger demand is on course to reach “an all-time high”.

The photographic exhibits will launch in Lanyon Place Station in Belfast and Connolly Station in Dublin on Thursday.

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The 1947 inaugural train was operated by the Great Northern Railway company; it is now jointly operated by Translink NI Railways and Iarnrod Eireann.

Translink Group chief executive Chris Conway said that the event was to celebrate the service, staff and customers.

He added: “Whatever your reason for travel, Enterprise has been there to connect us to family, friends and opportunity, evolving with the times and better connecting Belfast and Dublin.”

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Iarnrod Eireann chief executive Jim Meade said that the service has “a rich and evocative history”.

He added: “I am certain that our customers will very much enjoy the exhibition that is now on display at Lanyon Place and Connolly.

“The Enterprise train is a key economic and social connector for the people of Dublin, Belfast and the stations in between and we look forward to another 75 years of its successful operation.”

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