LISPOLE VIADUCT, CO.KERRY
Lispole Viaduct on the former Tralee & Dingle Railway. The viaduct is interesting for all sorts of reasons:
Construction began in 1888, completed in 1891
It was situated on a falling gradient the bottom of which was on the central span of the bridge.
The viaduct was in such poor condition by the 1930s that double-heading across it (two locomotives) was forbidden but in practice was frequently ignored. This was due to trains being pushed too fast down the 1:29 gradient in the westerly direction, and drivers heading for Tralee being afraid that if they stopped to detach a locomotive they would not be able to restart their train on the incline.
Scene of a serious goods train accident in 1907.
Passenger services to Dingle ceased on 17 April 1939
Goods trains and monthly cattle specials continued until finally closed in 1953