Conversion to standard gauge.
With the atmospheric line closed on 12th April 1854, conversion began to rebuild the line as a single track, 5'3" gauge line. This was undertaken, not by the D&KR, but by the Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow & Dublin Railway, later to become the Dublin and Wicklow Railway. This was opened for traffic on 10th October 1855 with what could only be described as a farce occurring at Kingstown station. The directors of the still independent D&KR refused to allow passengers to alight from the train, warning them that if they did, they would be charged with trespass. This opposition was short lived however, as was the service. The line closed on 20th March 1856, for reconstruction of the line, deficiencies in the line having come to fore in the 5 months of operation. The line re-opened on 1st July 1856, was doubled in 1882 and electrified in 1984.
ROUTE DESCRIBED (2002).
BY DART.
Leaving Dun Laoghaire station, heading south, you depart from the site of the Atmospheric Station, immediately entering a cutting, necessitated by the original decision not to obtain an Act of Parliament when converting the quarry tramway for Atmospheric operation. Shortly afterwards, on the left-hand side, the route of the former Carlisle Pier line can be seen diverging. This was closed in 1980 in order to allow for the electrification of the present route, CIE maintaining that the clearance in the tunnel under Queen's Road was insufficient to allow modern carriages gain access. Between Marine Road and Park Road, there are no less than six intermediate overbridges, remnants of the original "No Act" decision. The line remains in a distinct cutting until Sandycove & Glasthule Station.
This is a modern structure, dating from 1966 and located above the line at the Dun Laoghaire end of the station. From here to Glenageary, the line is relatively unassuming. At Glenageary Station, the station building on the right-hand side is a noteworthy two storey structure. The footbridge over the line is one of many on this route encompassing both and internal (station) and external footbridge on the one structure. After leaving Glenageary and passing under the subsequent road overbridge, pay attention on the left-hand side and immediately before the next overbridge, you will notice the retaining wall veer off at an angle. This marks the point of deviation of the Atmospheric route, which you have been traveling along until this point. Under the overbridge and the station site is on your left between this bridge and the next.
After closure, it was subsequently used as a refuge siding, accessed from the southern end and retained this status until it too was cleared away by the electrification project in the early 1980s. The retaining wall at the south end of the Atmospheric terminus site veers back in to maintain a line more parallel to the current railway. Between here and the current Dalkey Station, there are a significant number of bridges over the line, principally accommodation bridges. Dalkey Station is an attractive 2 platformed station with the station building on the left-hand side.
Walking.
Leave Dalkey Station and turn right into the station car park. Cross the footbridge (which is a dual structure carrying both internal station and external bridges on the one structure) Turn right and then left onto Cunningham Road. Turn right at the T junction and left at the next T Junction (Dalkey Avenue). About 50 m up this road, you will see a steep footpath veering off on the left hand side of the road and this is the quarry tramway right of way (locally known as "The Flags"). Making your way up this path, note the two buildings on the right hand side. One of these is a base of a windmill. At the top of this path, Dalkey Quarry appears to your left.
The quarry is heavily overgrown, therefore care should be taken if choosing to explore it.
Returning to the bottom of "The Flags" at its junction with Dalkey Avenue. Following a straight line across the open area in front of you will be roughly along the route of the tramway. (You may wish to cross the road, turn left and then right if the grassy area is unsuitable for walking on. As this road veers away to the left, there is a footpath continuing straight ahead. Follow this). This leads onto a road called "Old Quarry". Between 2 houses on this, there is another walkway, falling towards the DART line. This is the last section of the tramway. This will lead you out onto Barnhill Road.
Turning right you cross a bridge over the DART line and then left will leave you on Barnhill Lawn, at the end of which is a narrow lane called Atmospheric Road. Between this and the railway line is the site of the Atmospheric terminus. Follow the lane to the next road and you will see the last bridge of the Atmospheric section on the left hand side. On the right at this point is a hexagonal shaped building. This was associated with the quarry tramway operation.
To continue to Glenageary Station, cross the road and continue up the lane. Cross Albert Road and continue up the next lane. There is a footbridge over the line adjacent to Glenageary Station.
