Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

westtip

been away for awhile (no not locked away), just off boards great to see the WRC new thread has kept moving on. I see the line is due to open on March 30th - they really should wait a couple of days - more appropriate don't you think. I guess the anoraks will be over in their droves. Pity about the recession empty houseing estates in all those "commuter towns" along the route and the fact that such a cr*p service will appeal to a handful of people and the overall cost per journey, to the public purse in subventions and amortising the capital cost over the next ten years will be astronomical, in the meantime the N17/18 remains a death trap, the N26 Bohola Ballina link has been rather strangely knocked back by An Bord Pleanala - but at least we now (or soon will have) a slow trundling train from Galway to Athenry and then onto to Limerick - remember this Limerick Galway around the houses route, it will be used by so few people as to make the west a laughing stock for "fighting" for it. However with the odd steam loco running up and down in the summer for a few anorak train spotters it will somehow be justified as the saving of west of ireland tourism.

No doubt on 6:01 news on the day of reckoning the Holy Father and his disciples will be there, Mr. O Ragilly (go to the WOT Youtube link for a view of what is coming to your airways soon) will come on as some kind of public transport planning guru for the west telling us how important it is in the middle of all these cutbacks how the Government must find the money to extend it to Claremorris (after all don't you know that's what it has always been about), but not a word will be said about loss of life on the N17/18, and what really needs to be done for the west, how this railway line will make no material signifigance to the economy of the west, and the fact that we have lost the plot in allowing this project to get as far as it has. Remember though last May - Use it or lose said the minister of transport - so we shall see......

We're doomed captain mainwaring. Doomed.

dowlingm

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0319/rail.html

Fresh call for 'western corridor' funds
Friday, 19 March 2010 13:10

There has been a fresh call on the Government to commit funds to the next stage of the 'western rail corridor' and the restoration of train services between Limerick and Sligo.

The first phase of the line between Limerick and Athenry, which has been restored at a cost of over €100m, will be re-opened in 10 days.

The latest demand for a firm Government commitment to continue with re-opening the entire Limerick-Sligo line has come from the mayors of eight cities and counties on the west coast and from four Catholic bishops.

They say the decision to restore services between Galway and Limerick from Monday week is a major step forward for the entire region.

They say it is now imperative that the next section from Athenry to Claremorris be pressed ahead as rapidly as possible.

It has been 30 years since passenger trains operated between Galway and Limerick.

In a separate development today, the South-East Regional Authority has come out strongly against proposals by Iarnród Éireann and CIÉ to close or downgrade any part of the region's rail network.

The statement comes after Iarnród Éireann said it was considering closing the Rosslare-Waterford line, which has been in operation for 104 years.

First of all, it's ballsy to come out with that kind of statement given the situation w.r.t Rosslare and Nenagh.

Secondly, it's ballsy of bishops to be demanding ANYTHING right now.

invinciblePRSTV

dowlingm wrote: »

Secondly, it's ballsy of bishops to be demanding ANYTHING right now.

Not unless we can get Rome to pay for it, these Vatican stooges want to get involved in the affairs of our country then they should bring some of their loot to the table.

corktina

it IS imperative to push on with the reopening to Claremorris.....yes indeed....







....before everyone cops on to how few people are using the Ennis to Galway bit....

Judgement Day

corktina wrote: »

it IS imperative to push on with the reopening to Claremorris.....yes indeed....




....before everyone cops on to how few people are using the Ennis to Galway bit....

They'd want to hurry so, as I would say the second day of operation will see empty trains as most of the trainspotters will have all gone back to the UK.

dowlingm

Judgement Day wrote: »

They'd want to hurry so, as I would say the second day of operation will see empty trains as most of the trainspotters will have all gone back to the UK.

I noted a rumour on IRN the other day that 2700s (presumably a 2700 set and a 2750) are being painted to look like a 3 car 22K!

I'm not sure whether to be more outraged at such a subterfuge or that they might actually run 160 seats as a set on this route at a time of capacity shortages.

corktina

Judgement Day wrote: »

They'd want to hurry so, as I would say the second day of operation will see empty trains as most of the trainspotters will have all gone back to the UK.

darn right JD

westtip

Lest we forget.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=63204723&postcount=2862 - the WRC as it will be seen again when normal weather returns to the west;

And lets remember all the other pleas for money - all emanating from Claremorris, they are neverless a determined bunch and some have made it a lifetimes work. Now is an opportunity to up the noise level in the media - when the big party happens next week expect more half baked ideas about the extension to Sligo (err sorry we actually mean Claremorris), Read Dempseys speech at the WRC conferences last May - listen to what he will say at the re-opening on March 30th - there will be no promise of funds to extend there will be couched words of use it or lose it.

The slow train from Limerick to to Galway via Athenry will be as good as it gets for WOT. We all know it they all know it the project is dead in the water. Finito adios goodbye.

dowlingm

If a single rail was laid on the Tuam route it should be all the way to Claremorris rather than a stub line like Pace/Dunboyne. I don't have access to the track mileages so am approximating with Google Maps.

2700 deadheading from Limerick depot - Manulla/Ballina:
380km via Portarlington, 315km via Athlone / Athenry, 203km via Claremorris and Athenry.

Freight train from Ballina to Belview: 330km via Athenry/Limerick Jct (albeit on a slower route), 360km via Portarlington/Cherryville Jct

As for passenger service, the lessons of Athenry would have to be learned:
1. No stations between Claremorris and Athenry except Tuam without it being paid for the local authority and a minimum number of deposits placed on annual/monthly tickets before commencement of service.
2. Improvements to Galway-Oranmore-Athenry-Ballinasloe and Galway station would have to precede opening to permit enough platform space and passing track to not impede any existing services.
3. The track design would have to be competitive with the bus so at least 60mph line speed.

DWCommuter

I see from another WRC thread that the timetable is deplorable. Last departure from Galway is 17.25?

I also noted this on another forum;

A pity that the Western Rail Corridoor group isnt pushing for a timetable which will maximise the return on investment on what has already been constructed, thus reinforcing their business case. The proposed timetable will do everything to justify not investing further in the Western Rail Corridoor.

If I may be so bold, the West on Track group don't give a fiddlers **** about services and never did. The taxpayer will pick up the tag.

dowlingm

The big winners in all this are people in Athenry. This week, they have 9 daily services to Galway, next week 14 - and this includes an 0825 arrival which would be more convenient for city centre commuters than the existing 0807. Similarly, the return commuter departure of 1805 is supplemented by the new 1725.

DWCommuter wrote: »

I see from another WRC thread that the timetable is deplorable. Last departure from Galway is 17.25?

One option could be to extend one of the Limerick-Ennis rotations to Athenry to meet the 1818 arrival from Galway and then return. However, we'd probably need to see the Sixmilebridge loop before those kind of optimisations could be considered.

(Edit - this wouldn't work as the 1725 Galway-Limerick service would block it from progressing north of Gort)

DWCommuter

dowlingm wrote: »

The big winners in all this are people in Athenry. This week, they have 9 daily services to Galway, next week 14 - and this includes an 0825 arrival which would be more convenient for city centre commuters than the existing 0807. Similarly, the return commuter departure of 1805 is supplemented by the new 1725.

Incredible, isn't it. A town of 3,200 has 14 trains a day to the nearest city, (Galway) while Naas/Sallins station serves a population of just under 24,000 and has 23 trains a day to the nearest city. (Dublin)

dowlingm

Found on IRN:

The West on Track Community Campaign has called on communities along the route of the Western Rail Corridor to turn out in force at their local stations on Monday 29th March for the running of the first train along the route of the new Western Rail Corridor.

New stations will open at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell with upgrades to existing stations at Limerick, Ennis and Athenry.

A spokeman for West on Track said: “This will be a historic day for communities from Athenry to Limerick and together with Iarnród Éireann, we are working to ensure that people feel welcome to join in the celebrations. Iarnród Éireann has engaged Galway based marquee company, Magnum Marquee Hire, to erect hospitality marquees at Athenry Railway Station, Craughwell Railway Station, Gort Railway Station, and Sixmilebridge Railway Station for the launch, along with a large celebratory marquee at Ennis Railway Station.”

The spokesman added: “Monday the 29th March will be a good day for the West of Ireland, but the West on Track campaign is not over. The speedy delivery of the entire Western Rail Corridor in line with the Government’s commitment remains our immediate and determined priority.”

MARCH 29TH TIMETABLE:
10.30 Limerick Dep.
10.50 Sixmilebridge Arr.
11.25 Ennis
12.10 Gort
12.30 Ardrahan
12.50 Craughwell
13.15 Athenry
13.50 Galway, Hotel Meyrick
15.45 Galway Dep.
16.00 Athenry Arr.
16.10 Craughwell
16.25 Ardrahan
16.40 Gort
17.10 Ennis
17.30 Sixmilebridge
17.55 Limerick

Hungerford

I'm a bit surprised that WOT were authorised to outline the entire itinerary for the special launch train. Then again, I suppose that Nigel and Tarquin weren't on the guest list.

DWCommuter

Hungerford wrote: »

I'm a bit surprised that WOT were authorised to outline the entire itinerary for the special launch train. Then again, I suppose that Nigel and Tarquin weren't on the guest list.

WOT are like a branch of Fianna Fail in the west of Ireland.

JHMEG

DWCommuter wrote: »

Incredible, isn't it. A town of 3,200 has 14 trains a day to the nearest city, (Galway) while Naas/Sallins station serves a population of just under 24,000 and has 23 trains a day to the nearest city. (Dublin)

There's odd stuff all over. Carrick-on-Suir, 5800 souls, 3 trains a day to Waterford, none of them useful.

DWCommuter

JHMEG wrote: »

There's odd stuff all over. Carrick-on-Suir, 5800 souls, 3 trains a day to Waterford, none of them useful.

Sure who are we to complain? They'll be lining up to call us gob****es.:D

billy the squid

It is all for nowt without a stop at Shannon. sad to think that Kerry airport is the nearest airport to a railway station.

DWCommuter

JHMEG wrote: »

There's odd stuff all over. Carrick-on-Suir, 5800 souls, 3 trains a day to Waterford, none of them useful.

And under threat of closure.

They should relocate Dail Eireann to Dublin Zoo.

Victor

billy the squid wrote: »

It is all for nowt without a stop at Shannon. sad to think that Kerry airport is the nearest airport to a railway station.

But Shannon isn't anywhere near the railway and connecting it would be prohibitive cost wise.

corktina

Shannon is a red herring...you couldnt possibly put on enough trains (in both directions dont forget) to make rail travel attractive to airport users....for travellers you would need a train more or less waiting and ready to go for each flight (and another arriving shortly before depatures) and for workers you would need a service to suit everyones start and finish times. Shannon simply isnt big enough and busy enough.

Sponge Bob

corktina wrote: »

Shannon is a red herring

It is, the management want to close the following as quickly as possible, in 2010 ideally.

Drogheda - Navan



Limerick Junction - Waterford



Waterford - Rosslare



Gorey - Rosslare

Judgement Day

Don't forget that their long term aim is everything to close west of the Shannon. :mad:

invinciblePRSTV

US soldiers aren't goint to be using the train anyway.

Hungerford

I think Drogheda - Navan is highly unlikely, the Tara Mines traffic is very profitable. Gorey to Rosslare is probably safe for the moment - they could hardly close a line just after installing CTC on it!

dowlingm

Hungerford wrote: »

I think Drogheda - Navan is highly unlikely, the Tara Mines traffic is very profitable. Gorey to Rosslare is probably safe for the moment - they could hardly close a line just after installing CTC on it!

In the words of Mr. James Earl Jones...

Hungerford

I never underestimate the power of the dark side where IE are concerned but all powers have their logical limits.

Transportuser09

Hungerford wrote: »

I think Drogheda - Navan is highly unlikely, the Tara Mines traffic is very profitable. Gorey to Rosslare is probably safe for the moment - they could hardly close a line just after installing CTC on it!

Exactly. The fact that IÉ invested in the line shows that they have some commitment to it. Likewise as long as Tara Mines stays open, the Drogheda-Navan line is probably safe. Not so sure about the Limerick-Ballybrophy/Rosslare-Limerick Junction though.

FlameoftheWest

Judgement Day wrote: »

Don't forget that their long term aim is everything to close west of the Shannon. :mad:

What! Is there any documentation or other were they stated such?

KevR

DWCommuter wrote: »

Incredible, isn't it. A town of 3,200 has 14 trains a day to the nearest city, (Galway) while Naas/Sallins station serves a population of just under 24,000 and has 23 trains a day to the nearest city. (Dublin)

The most incredible thing about it is that these trains are of no use to people who are living in Athenry but working in East Galway City, rather than the City Centre because there are no stations + bus connections in Oranmore and Renmore. Huge volumes of car traffic passing Oranmore on the M6 and N18/R446 DC going to Galway City Centre and East Galway City, 14 trains in each direction passing through the Oranmore area everyday and yet no station or P&R. 9,000 students in GMIT, 5,000 residents in Renmore (thousands more if you include other areas such as Mervue and Ballybane which are within walking distance to Renmore).