Coleraine–Portrush line

Portrush Branch Line
Portrush line train about to leave Coleraine station 2012
Overview
Status	Operational
Locale	Northern Ireland
Termini	Coleraine Portrush
Continues from	Belfast-Derry line
Connecting lines	Belfast-Derry line
Stations	4
Service
Type	Regional rail Heavy rail
System	NI Railways
Services	Belfast Grand Central-Portrush Coleraine-Portrush
Route number	NIR Service 3
Operator(s)	NI Railways
Rolling stock	Class 3000 "C3K" Class 4000 "C4K"
History
Opened	1855
Technical
Number of tracks	Single track
Character	Branch line
Track gauge	1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Irish gauge
Electrification	no
Operating speed	70 mph (110 km/h)
Signalling	Semaphore
Route map (Click to expand) Portrush Dhu Varren Cromore University Belfast–Derry line to Derry ~ Londonderry Coleraine Belfast–Derry line to Belfast Grand Central

The Coleraine–Portrush line is a short railway branch line in Northern Ireland, connecting the town of Coleraine in County Londonderry to the seaside resort of Portrush in County Antrim. Operated by NI Railways and referred to as the Portrush Line, it links to the main Belfast–Derry line at Coleraine, with intermediate halts at University and Dhu Varren.

Current services

On weekdays, the first two morning trains from Portrush operate as direct services to Belfast Grand Central Station, streamlining commutes to the capital. Subsequent departures run hourly between Portrush and Coleraine, with transfers at Coleraine for services to all stations on the Derry~Londonderry line. Saturdays replicate this pattern, while Sundays offer hourly Portrush–Coleraine shuttles, augmented by two-hourly extensions to Belfast. Passengers bound for Castlerock, Bellarena, or Derry~Londonderry Waterside must transfer daily at Coleraine, as these destinations lie on the main Belfast–Derry line.

History

The Coleraine–Portrush line traces its origins to the mid-19th century, authorized in 1853 as part of the Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Portrush Junction Railway. Engineered by Charles Lanyon and constructed by the prominent contractor William Dargan, the line opened in 1855, initially serving as a critical junction for the Derry line at Coleraine after 1860. A notable feature of its early years was the Portstewart Tramway, linked via the intermediate station at Cromore, which closed in 1964, briefly reopened in 1968, and shuttered permanently in 1988. The 20th century brought significant shifts: winter services were suspended in the 1960s until the establishment of the New University of Ulster (now Ulster University) near Coleraine prompted their revival in 1968. To accommodate student travel, new halts at University (1968) and Dhu Varren (1969) were introduced. Despite infrastructure decline in the 1980s and 1990s, strategic upgrades in the 2000s, including platform extensions and station modernizations, ensured the line’s survival for both commuters and tourists.

Infrastructure and Modernization

Portrush Station Upgrade (2019)

The old concete station was replaced in 2019 with a sleek, contemporary facility designed by Gregory Architects. Featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls, vibrant facade panels, and skylights, the station prioritizes natural light and accessibility. While ticket gates are absent, it supports Translink’s updated ticketing systems.

Platform Extensions (2023)

In 2023, platforms at University and Dhu Varren were extended to 150 meters to accommodate six-carriage trains, boosting capacity for Ulster University students and tourists. The project required a three-week line closure between Coleraine and Portrush, with bus substitutions provided.

Belfast Grand Central Station (2024)

The consolidation of services into Belfast Grand Central Station (opened September 2024) marked a significant upgrade to Northern Ireland’s rail network. Designed as a modern hub, it integrates the Portrush Line with some direct services to it with integration with cross-border services like the Enterprise to Dublin.

Operational Limitations (Current)

The line faces significant constraints due to its reliance on legacy semaphore signalling, a system installed in the mid-20th century. This infrastructure restricts capacity despite the deployment of modern rolling stock like Class 3000 and 4000 trains. The line operates under a 'one in steam' system, a historical practice where only one train is permitted on the single-track segment at any time. This limitation stems from the absence of modern signalling equipment, such as automated block signalling or centralized traffic control, and the continued use of manual signal cabins to coordinate movements.

During peak summer months, when demand surges due to tourism in Portrush, the lack of parallel tracks and reliance on manual signalling severely limits service frequency. For instance, the manual signal cabin at Coleraine requires operators to physically adjust semaphore signals and communicate via token exchange systems, introducing delays and capping hourly train throughput. This bottleneck prevents the introduction of additional services.

Gallery

• 
  Portrush Train station in 2019
• 
  Arrival, Portrush station 22 June 1985
• 
  Somersault signal, Portrush station
• 
  Dhu Varren Halt 2006
• 
  Dhu Varren Halt 2006
• 
  Dhu Varren Halt 2015