Ballahoo (Sudric for The Farm on the River Hoo) is a dormitory town for Barrow-in-Furness. It is located on the Norramby Branch Line.
History[]
Ballahoo is notable for its two bore railway tunnel. The first attempt at cutting a tunnel through the Ballahoo Ridge was made by the Sodor and Mainland Railway, which collapsed due to a construction error, resulting in trains only running between here and Kirk Ronan.
The second tunnel was cut in 1915 by the North Western Railway. While work was in progress a section midway collapsed leaving two tunnels. In 1922, Henry stopped in the first tunnel and refused to come out. As it was impossible to move him, it was decided to instead cut a new bore. When Henry was finally let out the following year, both bores remained in service. As a result of these events, the tunnels were nicknamed "Henry's Tunnel".
Since 1915, the town has been served by the NWR's Norramby Branch Line. Following the 1925 Agreement with the LMS, Ballahoo has also been served by the joint NWR/BR hourly suburban service between Barrow-in-Furness and Norramby.
Prior to 1933, Main Line trains had to pass through Ballahoo to get to Vicarstown, but since then a bypass line was laid and only local trains now stop at Ballahoo while other trains take the bypass line straight to Vicarstown.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series[]
Companion Volumes[]
- 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways (mentioned)
Station Guide[]
| Preceding station |  North Western Railway
|
Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicarstown Crovan's Gate |
Norramby Branch Line | Norramby | ||
| Preceding station | Sodor and Mainland Railway
|
Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crovan's Gate | Sodor and Mainland Railway | Terminus | ||
| Locomotives | Arthur** |
|---|---|
| Stations | Crovan's Gate | Vicarstown | Ballahoo | The Church Station** | Norramby |
| Locomotives | S&M #1 | Neil | S&M #3 |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Trucks | Flatbeds, Conflats and Well Wagons |
| Locations | Kirk Ronan (Harbour) | Rolf's Castle | Crovan's Gate | Ballahoo |