Engineer's Line References (ELRs)

A (hopefully) comprehensive listing

Irish codes

Last update 27 September 2024

Additional information is always gratefully received, whether entirely new records (particularly historical records) or information to fill in gaps or correct errors, via the contact link under the Miscellaneous entry in the navigation bar above. Thank you.

Please select a starting letter from the links below:

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Railways (Translink) appears to have two parallel code systems in use, one based on letters and the other on numbers. The alphabetical system is specifically referred to as Engineer's Line References.

Alphabetical system

It is notable that this system includes a change of mileage within one code (LBG).

ELR Line name Mileages Datum Notes
BCJ Border to Central Junction 59.47 - 111.75 Dublin Connolly
BGD Bleach Green to Londonderry 7.20 - 95.32 York Road via Greenisland (reverse)
BGL Bleach Green to Larne 4.62 - 24.05 York Road mileage change
CGV Central Junction to Great Victoria Street 111.75 - 112.44 Dublin Connolly
CJL Central Junction to Lagan Junction 111.75 - 113.58 Dublin Connolly
CTP Coleraine to Portrush 61.67 - 67.53 York Road via Greenisland (reverse)
CWJ City Junction to Westlink Junction 0.00 - 0.18 City Junction
KJA Knockmore Junction to Antrim 0.00 - 18.40 Knockmore Junction
LBG Lagan Junction to Bleach Green 113.58 - 115.00; 0.00 - 4.62 Dublin Connolly; York Road mileage change
LJB Lagan Junction to Bangor 113.58 - 126.06 Dublin Connolly

Numerical system

ELR Line name Mileages Datum Notes
001 Dundalk to Bangor 59.47 - 126.06 Dublin Connolly
002 Central Junction to Great Victoria Street 111.75 - 112.44 Dublin Connolly
003 City Junction to Westlink Junction 0.00 - 0.18 City Junction
004a Knockmore Junction to Antrim 0.00 - 18.40 Knockmore Junction route assumed
004b Knockmore Junction to Lisburn 103.35 - 105.06 Dublin Connolly parallel alignment to 001
005 Bleach Green Junction to Coleraine 7.20 - 61.67 York Road via Greenisland (reverse)
006a Coleraine to Londonderry 61.67 - 95.32 York Road via Greenisland (reverse) route assumed
006a Coleraine to Portrush 61.67 - 67.53 York Road via Greenisland (reverse) route assumed
007b Belfast Central to York Road 113.58 - 115.00 Dublin Connolly
007a York Road to Larne Harbour 0.00 - 24.05 York Road mileage change

Republic of Ireland

This system identifies bridges; there may be other systems in use for other purposes.

ELR Line name
A Portarlington - Athlone
B Dublin Connolly - Border
B (EW) East Wall
BF Ballingrane - Foynes
C Dublin Heuston - Cork - Cobh
CC Conniberry Junction
CL Claremorris - Collooney
CN Clonsilla - M3 Parkway - (Navan)
D Liffey Junction - Docklands Station
DE Dundalk - Enniskillen
E Limerick - Ennis - Athenry - Claremorris
F Limerick - Foynes
G Dublin (Broadstone) - Mullingar - Athlone - Galway
H Waterford - Rosslare Harbour
J New Ross - Waterford
K Drogheda - Navan - Kingscourt
KW Kilkenny – Waterford
L Limerick - Waterford
LB Limerick – Ballingrane
LL Dublin Loop Line (Connolly - Pearse)
M Athlone - Westport
N Ballybrophy - Killonan Junction
NK Ballingrane Junction - Tralee
O Dublin Heuston - Dublin Port
P Ballinacourty - Waterford
Q Howth Junction - Howth
R Dublin Pearse - Wexford
RW Wexford - Rosslare
S Mullingar - Sligo
T Killarney Junction - Tralee
U Mungret siding
V Tralee - Fenit
W Cherryville Junction - Waterford
WW Athy siding
X Manulla Junction - Ballina
Y Glounthaune - Midelton - Youghal
Z Silvermines siding