Kent Station (Cork)

Kent Station, Cork ( _ga. Stáisiún Cheannt) is an Iarnród Éireann train station, named after Thomas Kent. The station opened on 2 February 1893 [cite web | title=Kent station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-08-31] and the current building was built in the same year, replacing two earlier stations that served as separate termini for the Great Southern and Western Railway called Glanmire, directly in front of the portal of the tunnel through which the railway into Cork passed, and the Cork and Youghal Railway terminus which was above the tunnel portal. Its purpose was to allow through running of trains following the 1865 takeover of the Cork and Youghal Railway by the Great Southern and Western Railway. The station was originally called "Glanmire Road Station", but was renamed "Kent Station" in 1966 on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising. The station served as a filming location for the 1979 movie "The First Great Train Robbery" starring Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland and Lesley-Anne Down.The station is the only one of the 6 Cork railway stations that exists today.

The station offers direct intercity rail services to Heuston Station and stations in Kerry. Cork Suburban Rail services follow the Cóbh and Mallow lines. A new commuter line will open to Midleton in 2008.

For the main train station of the second-largest city in Ireland, it has surprisingly little in the line of commercial outlets, with only a small shop, a café, and several vending machines. Many parts of the station appear run-down, although it is earmarked for a redevelopment. The train station also houses Iarnród Éireann's travel centre, which sells tours, rail breaks, and other holidays.

The station has three terminating platforms 1-3 (all in the Cóbh direction) and two through platforms 4 and 5. Since December 2005's timetable change, the through platforms tend to get quite congested as commuter trains often come in together, clogging up limited space. There is also a loop line behind platform 5, which used to be used to facilitate moving locomotives from the end of arriving trains to the other end in preparation for departure. It is no longer necessary since all services to the station are operated either by railcars or by Mark 4 sets with a driving van trailer. The only platform not directly accessible from the station concourse, platform 5, is accessed through a subway, unlike most other Irish stations, which use footbridges.

The two station car parks are chronically undersized, and not restricted to rail travellers. Because they offer a flat rate of €5 per day, they are attractive to commuters and as a result it is very hard to secure a space after about 08:00.

External links

* [http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/your_journey/your_station.asp?letter=C&action=showdetail&station_id=47 Irish Rail - Details of Kent Station]
* [http://www.kellstransportmuseum.com/Filth.html Alternative view of Kent Station]

References

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