NARROW gauge steam returned to the former Cavan & Leitrim Railway (C&LR) station at Ballinamore on June 2 when the revived C&LR’s newly restored Avonside 0-6-0T Nancy attended the Ballinamore Vintage and Family Festival.

The event was held on the Ballinamore station site, which in its heyday was the headquarters of the original C&LR.

It was therefore fitting Nancy was displayed in front of the former station building, the first time a steam loco has been present since 1959.

“It was a privilege to be invited by the South Leitrim & West Cavan Vintage Club to Ballinamore, and we had a very successful day,” said Micheal Kennedy, of the Dromod-based C&LR. 

He added: “A lot of people saw their very first steam engine that day.” 

Nancy will make further visits across County Leitrim this summer as part a series of events commemorating the closure of the C&LR on March 29, 1959. 

It was expected to attend the Tóstal Festival in Drumshanbo on June 30.

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