Towards the end of the 1880’s, the resident station master at Fahan was an enterprising character known as James Bond. Mr James Bond earned the distinction of providing Fahan Station with electric light long before any other railway station in Ireland. He placed a windmill strategically on high ground (Fahan Hill), which drove a small generator to produce the required electricity. His next venture was to provide refreshment facilities and food for the numerous visitors by train, with a view to making a modest profit. News of the venture quickly reached the Board of Directors, who were far from amused, since they had already contracted Miss Kelly to provide such services at the station. When Miss Kelly’s time had passed, the concession was granted to Miss Logue, who continued to look after her visitors for years and operated a small licensed premises. Since you are now seated within the old station area, you can see, that the entrepreneurial flair of Mr. Bond still lives on.

Although many of the other railway lines in Ireland eventually converted to diesel railcars, the Swilly Line stayed with its steam locomotives. The Swilly Line operated on the narrow gauge and boasted two of the largest and most magnificent of Ireland’s narrow-gauge locomotives – the impressive 16 wheeled Hudswell Cloarke Tank Engines, built in the early 1900’s. They were unique and majestic but, unfortunately, like the rest of the line, they have now been consigned to memory