The Great Northern Railway (GNR) was the second railway company to reach Cookstown- In 1856 the Belfast and Ballymena Railway opened a branch line to the town by way of Randalstown and Magherafelt. Though located next door to the BBR station on Molesworth Street, the GNR station was completely separate. A rail connection between the two stations existed, but for transfer of goods wagons only. There were no through passenger workings.
It was closed to passengers by the Great Northern Railway Board on 16 January 1956 and to goods on 5 October 1959.
The station building was designed by William Henry Mills in his typical polychrome style, with red and yellow Flemish-bond brickwork. After closure it became Council property, and listed in 1975.[2] Today, it is used as by the town's hockey club. Two further GNR railway buildings survive in Cookstown, along with the goods shed (also listed) in use by the Council[3] and a gate archway bearing the name ''Great Northern''. The arch inspired a similar design at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway.
Routes
A 1904 Railway Clearing House Junction Diagram showing (top left) railways in the vicinity of Cookstown
