Looking back... Railway halt reopens after nine years

The first train arrived at 7.19am, carrying its first passenger, Ballymena man Frank Reid.

Mr Reid, a 20-year-old joiner, stepped out of the single carriage diesel.

He said that prior to the introduction of the service, he had to travel to Belfast before getting a lift to Monkstown.

“The opening of this halt has saved me an awful lot of time,” he said.

Monkstown halt had been closed for almost nine years.

Northern Ireland Railways said that there would be a series of commuter stations “from fringe areas” to Belfast. A daily return cost 3s 8d.

Just one passenger boarded the 8.08am service to Belfast.

Victor Douglas, from Monkstown, said: “I always hoped that this station would re-open.”

As the train left the station, 30 passengers boarded a city-bound bus 75 yards along the road.

A spokesman for Northern Ireland Railways said: “We did not have much time to publicise the re-opening, but last week, there was a big drive in Monkstown.”