Route 4
From Dublin Transport
Contents |
1918 - 1932
The first use of Route 4, dates back to 1918. These trams were unique in Dublin, being the only single deck electric trams on the system. Use of single deck trams was dictated by the low bridge at Bath Avenue, on the route between Nelson Pillar and Sandymount, via Lower Mount Street and Londonbridge Road. This route had it's origins in horse drawn tram days. The Dublin Tramways Company obtained the rights over this route in 1871, the horse trams officially commencing operation from October 1st, 1872. Until the introduction of electric cars some 28 years later, this was the only tram service from Sandymount to the city centre.
The Dublin Tramways Company was amalgamated with other smaller tram companies into the Dublin United Tramways Company on July 1st, 1881. In 1880, Carlisle Bridge had been widened and renamed O'Connell Bridge, after the great emancipator. Nelson Pillar would be the focal point of the tramway network for the next seventy years, and even after it's destruction in 1966, O'Connell Street remains the a vital transport hub in Dublin.
Electric trams began operation between the city and Sandymount along the direct route via Great Brunswick Street and Ringsend in 1900. From that time, the few remaining horse trams on Bath Avenue operated between Haddington Road and Irishtown only, having been curtailed at Haddington Road after the arrival of the Dalkey electric cars on Northumberland Road in 1898. These were the last horse trams in Dublin; the last day of operation was January 13th, 1901. Double deck horse cars could fit under the Bath Avenue bridge, but with the introduction of electric traction, specially constructed single deck cars were necessary. DUTC electric cars 252, 253 and 254, former horse cars, took over on January 14th, working from Nelson Pillar through to Sandymount, the only single deck electric cars in Dublin. Several double deck cars were rebuilt later as single deckers to augment the route, including some bogie cars after 1922. They were more expensive to run, and did not operate on Sundays. For that reason, Route 4 was one of the first tram routes to be converted to bus operation, being replaced by Route 44A (later renumbered Route 52) on and from July 31st, 1932. [1]
1965 - 198x
In 1965, Route 4 came into use again, this time on a service between Cabra (Annamoe Road) and Pembroke Road. The route was essentially a Short Route 10. As such the route was shared between Conyngham Road Garage and Donnybrook Garage, with Conyngham Road providing R Class 'Capetown' Leyland Titans and Donnybrook providing R Class 'Bolton' Titans. [2] When Phibsboro Garage opened in 1971, Route 4 and Route 10, moved to the new depot from Conyngham Road Garage and Donnybrook Garage. D class Leyland Atlanteans soon appeared on the route.
2006 - Date
Route 4 began operation on March 12th, 2006. [3] It runs between Ballymun and St.Vincent's Hospital. It is operated by Harristown Garage. On June 11th, 2007, Route 4 was extended to terminate at Blackrock. [4] It was extended again on November 19th 2007, to terminate at Harristown Garage. [5]
Routing
Ballymun to St.Vincent's Hospital (2006 - 2007)
Ballymun to Blackrock (2007)
Harristown to Blackrock (2007 - Date)
Timetables
 September 1969 |
Related Articles
References
- ↑ Through Streets Broad & Narrow by Michael Corcoran
- ↑ Dublin's Buses by P.J. Flanagan & C.B. Mac an tSaoir
- ↑ dublinbus.ie - Statement
- ↑ Statement - dublinbus.ie
- ↑ Statement - dublinbus.ie