Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

Muckyboots

Logue no2 wrote: »

Fantastic news coming from Cllr Shaun Cunniffe in Tuam that an alternative route for a Tuam Athenry Greenway is emerging that uses a dffierent route from the railway line. I am somewhat surprised that the Greenway campaigners on this thread are silent about it so far, however this is now a cast iron opportunity for the Tuam and Sligo Mayo Greenway campaigns to step up to the plate and prove for once and for all that they are not all about stopping or delaying the railway.

So, the Tuam Herald reports today that landowners on the "alternative route" knew nothing about its proposal. The IFA have no authority to negotiate on their behalf and they will not be giving any consideration to people accessing their lands for this reason.
The landowners like the idea of a Greenway ( a nice amenity for their families to enjoy, perhaps ?) and propose that the Council should get on with it -and use the infrastructure that exists to deliver it. One can only presume that they mean the derelict railway alignment. They must be as sick as everyone else watching entropy at work . Now back to real facts.

eastwest

end of the road wrote: »

serfboard wrote: »

The M17 will be finished by the end of the year. For Tuam and points south, Burkes Bus and private cars will be the publics preferred option even if the railway was re-built.

Which it won't be.

if they want to be stuck in traffic. if they want high quality fast and reliable public transport, then a rebuilt railway to the highest standard is the only show in town. but you are correct, it won't be rebuilt.

serfboard wrote: »

Now you could ask the question - what about the traffic chaos at Parkmore and in Galway itself? A good Park & Ride (possibly at the old airport) could take care of that for far less money than re-building and then subsidising the railway line.

if you are going to build some light rail maybe. if you are going to leave it to the bus, then there is no point.

A bus on a dedicated bus lane, particularly a high capacity 'bendy bus' has the same impact as a light rail system, at a fraction of the cost. The buses do need to be fitted with transponders to control traffic lights, but otherwise they provide an excellent alternative to light rail.

eastwest

Logue no2 wrote: »

Fantastic news coming from Cllr Shaun Cunniffe in Tuam that an alternative route for a Tuam Athenry Greenway is emerging that uses a dffierent route from the railway line. I am somewhat surprised that the Greenway campaigners on this thread are silent about it so far, however this is now a cast iron opportunity for the Tuam and Sligo Mayo Greenway campaigns to step up to the plate and prove for once and for all that they are not all about stopping or delaying the railway.

So, according to today's Tuam Herald, this piece of news from cllr Connelly was nothing more than a spoof. His story that he had been shown an alternative greenway route that had been approved by the IFA wasn't true at all, and has been rubbished by the IFA.
What was he thinking?

Isambard

is it just me or does the advent of the Velorail block the use of the route by trains whilst at the same time , due to it's small size, not preclude a parallel Greenway? It's a bit of an own goal is it not?

Muckyboots

Isambard wrote: »

is it just me or does the advent of the Velorail block the use of the route by trains whilst at the same time , due to it's small size, not preclude a parallel Greenway? It's a bit of an own goal is it not?

Not only does it not preclude a parallel Greenway but you would imagine that when it goes to planning that, "for reasons of safety", a parallel access path would be conditional to its approval and people will start walking and cycling on it for sure.

eastwest

Isambard wrote: »

is it just me or does the advent of the Velorail block the use of the route by trains whilst at the same time , due to it's small size, not preclude a parallel Greenway? It's a bit of an own goal is it not?

It does more than block the train, it would seem to give a private company a lease over a piece of the alignment, creating exactly what WOT finds so unacceptable in Comber -- a more or less immovable blockage to future rail development.
The ironic thing is that a greenway would be a different animal, easily divertable if a railway needed to be built.
So why was wot so anxious to see the velorail project started? Surely they could see that it wasn't as attractive from a rail standpoint as a greenway?
One way of explaining this contradictory stance might be that they don't see the velorail project succeeding once the funding runs out, and they see this as a way to have rails reinstated by somebody.
The other possibility is that they have abandoned their aspirations on everything north of Claremorris, and would prefer to see a short piece of the asset lost to allowing the greenway on the line in mayo, possibly creating a domino effect all the way to athenry as communities start to scream for parity.
Then again, they may have a plan B, or C; it can be difficult to figure out what they want. We know what they don't want-- tourists, safe cycling and walking for families, and preservation of the route and the railway heritage.

westtip

Muckyboots wrote: »

Not only does it not preclude a parallel Greenway but you would imagine that when it goes to planning that, "for reasons of safety", a parallel access path would be conditional to its approval and people will start walking and cycling on it for sure.

we will have to wait and see what the planning application says about the parallel access path, I am sure they must have thought of this, otherwise ABP will have to make them add it in.

eastwest

westtip wrote: »

Muckyboots wrote: »

Not only does it not preclude a parallel Greenway but you would imagine that when it goes to planning that, "for reasons of safety", a parallel access path would be conditional to its approval and people will start walking and cycling on it for sure.

we will have to wait and see what the planning application says about the parallel access path, I am sure they must have thought of this, otherwise ABP will have to make them add it in.

If work has started, where's the planning application?
You can't start work on a project that requires planning until you get permission.

serfboard

Logue no2 wrote: »

Fantastic news coming from Cllr Shaun Cunniffe in Tuam that an alternative route for a Tuam Athenry Greenway is emerging that uses a dffierent route from the railway line.

eastwest wrote: »

As far as I am aware, and I'm open to correction, this news didn't come from Shaun Cunniffe but from another Councillor. It seems a bit vague at the moment but if it is genuine it is of course great news and would create a start for a greenway from Athenry to Collooney. ... So, if it's true, it's great, but I'd like to see the actual proposal.

eastwest wrote: »

So, according to today's Tuam Herald, this piece of news from cllr Connelly was nothing more than a spoof. His story that he had been shown an alternative greenway route that had been approved by the IFA wasn't true at all, and has been rubbished by the IFA.

From The Tuam Herald:

The Tuam Herald wrote:

FARMERS in the Corofin and Ballyglunin area have angrily rejected suggestions that the IFA has agreed an alternative route for a Greenway linking Tuam and Athenry.
Belclare Cllr Billy Connelly made the claim during a debate at Galway Co Council last week.

Cllr Connelly said the IFA had agreed to an alternative route to that being proposed by the Tuam Greenway group, which is seeking to develop a cycle and walking path along the old railway linking the two towns.
However, Stephen Canavan, the IFA’s county officer for Corofin, who lives in Ballyglunin, said there was no knowledge of any meeting or agreement in relation to the matter.

I was wondering who this Billy Connelly was and I see that he was co-opted to replace Sean Canney last March. So he's basically Canney's mouthpiece on the council and just as vehemently opposed to the route being used for anything except never-happening trains.

Well done to the Tuam Herald for catching him out.

westtip

serfboard wrote: »

From The Tuam Herald:

I was wondering who this Billy Connelly was and I see that he was co-opted to replace Sean Canney last March. So he's basically Canney's mouthpiece on the council and just as vehemently opposed to the route being used for anything except never-happening trains.

Well done to the Tuam Herald for catching him out.

He has been taken in hook line and sinker by his buddy Sean Canney, will Canney now answer for this misleading information he gave to his co-opted councillor?

westtip

More grist to the mill from the greenway campaign, I believe this petition is flying since it was launched this morning.

https://www.change.org/p/western-rail-trail-campaign-create-a-walking-and-cycling-greenway-on-the-closed-railway-from-sligo-to-athenry

Del.Monte

westtip - came across these on eBay tonight and thought of you. Do you want a link to the seller?

A Limerick bound freight on the Burma Road in 1975 - enjoy.



Tubbercurry



Swineford



Kiltimagh - soon to be the site of the Velo Rail project!

And lastly southward out of Claremorris and along the route of the soon to be reopened line to Athenry.



Living in that house at the LC must have been a trainspotter's wet dream!

westtip

Del.Monte wrote: »

westtip - came across these on eBay tonight and thought of you. Do you want a link to the seller?

A Limerick bound freight on the Burma Road in 1975 - enjoy.



Tubbercurry



Swineford



Kiltimagh - soon to be the site of the Velo Rail project!

And lastly southward out of Claremorris and along the route of the soon to be reopened line to Athenry.



Living in that house at the LC must have been a trainspotter's wet dream!

Try David McGowan in the Enniscrone! He has an airplane they could park next too.

eastwest

Del.Monte wrote: »

And lastly southward out of Claremorris and along the route of the soon to be reopened line to Athenry.

'Soon' as in geological time?

JCX BXC

Will the Crusheen station ever realistically be reopened?

eastwest

JCX BXC wrote: »

Will the Crusheen station ever realistically be reopened?

It might well, if it suits some local politician, but never as a manned stop.

Del.Monte

What about Ardsollus & Quinn?

eastwest

Del.Monte wrote: »

What about Ardsollus & Quinn?

Sounds like a firm of old-worlde lawyers.

Muckyboots

Del.Monte wrote: »

What about Ardsollus & Quinn?

Wouldn't mind cycling through there - looks lovely.

westtip

Muckyboots wrote: »

Wouldn't mind cycling through there - looks lovely.

And stopping for tea scones and clotted cream served by someone running their own business having come off a government scheme for the unemployed.

Del.Monte

westtip wrote: »

And stopping for tea scones and clotted cream served by someone running their own business having come off a government scheme for the unemployed.

It even has its own Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ardsollus-and-Quin-railway-station/127013127341881

end of the road

eastwest wrote: »

A bus on a dedicated bus lane, particularly a high capacity 'bendy bus' has the same impact as a light rail system, at a fraction of the cost. The buses do need to be fitted with transponders to control traffic lights, but otherwise they provide an excellent alternative to light rail.

light rail has been proven to capture the publics attention compared to slow inefficient bus solutions, so therefore a bus solution is a waste of time resources and money. dedicated bus lanes would ultimately end up costing more if they have to be built, and in the case of bendy busses they would likely be a nightmare trying to get around the likes of galway anyway. dublin got rid of theirs for a reason after all. it's an inefficient let them eat cake solution which is no alternative to light rail. a good light rail system that has priority at traffic lights (and luas should also be given priority as well at traffic lights) would transform things in the cities for the good and future proof them.

eastwest

end of the road wrote: »

eastwest wrote: »

A bus on a dedicated bus lane, particularly a high capacity 'bendy bus' has the same impact as a light rail system, at a fraction of the cost. The buses do need to be fitted with transponders to control traffic lights, but otherwise they provide an excellent alternative to light rail.

light rail has been proven to capture the publics attention compared to slow inefficient bus solutions, so therefore a bus solution is a waste of time resources and money. dedicated bus lanes would ultimately end up costing more if they have to be built, and in the case of bendy busses they would likely be a nightmare trying to get around the likes of galway anyway. dublin got rid of theirs for a reason after all. it's an inefficient let them eat cake solution which is no alternative to light rail. a good light rail system that has priority at traffic lights (and luas should also be given priority as well at traffic lights) would transform things in the cities for the good and future proof them.

Well planned bus systems nowadays have transponders that also give them priority at traffic lights, and roads can be widened to provide dedicated bus lanes at far less cost than laying rail. A well devised bus solution can move people just as well as a light rail system.

westtip

end of the road wrote: »

la good light rail system that has priority at traffic lights (and luas should also be given priority as well at traffic lights) would transform things in the cities for the good and future proof them.

You said it all in the emboldened section (my emboldenment), Galway may be a city in Irish terms, but with just under 80,000 people in the city area, in the grand scheme of things it is little more than a large town and as for light railways coming in from the outlying sattelites such as Tuam with its populaton of just under 10,000. This has always been the crux of the matter. Critical mass of population. Take a look at the bus service in towns like Luton (population 200,000) which has dedicated bus roads running around the town. What you say is right, light rail can transform cities. That is why the light rail system in Dublin is receiving the investment, and this is not a Dublin versus the west argument, its called plain common sense.

end of the road

eastwest wrote: »

Well planned bus systems nowadays have transponders that also give them priority at traffic lights, and roads can be widened to provide dedicated bus lanes at far less cost than laying rail. A well devised bus solution can move people just as well as a light rail system.

it really can't, hence why cities are slowly but surely moving away from relying on such an inefficient method and moving to light rail. light rail is the way to go. better, more efficient, more environmentaly friendly, and a hell of a lot more where that came from. it is also more likely to attract people to public transport. i have no doubt galway has a small market for a small scalible version, it's simply finding the route and getting it done, building it so extensions can be planned in the future when the city grows. anyway i will let yee back to the wrc now

end of the road

end of the road wrote: »

light rail has been proven to capture the publics attention compared to slow inefficient bus solutions.

What captures the publics attention is a service that is frequent and reliable in terms of journey time.

That is all.

Wheels or rails don't come into the equation.

Ask any ordinary punters which makes most sense. 1 light rail line running every 15 mins, or 1 bus route running at the same frequency. They might pick the rail because it seems fancy.

Now give them the info on costs and eta to delivery of the service.

Ask them again and I'd be stunned if more than 5% choose rail.

end of the road

Deleted User wrote: »

What captures the publics attention is a service that is frequent and reliable in terms of journey time.

That is all.

Wheels or rails don't come into the equation.

Ask any ordinary punters which makes most sense. 1 light rail line running every 15 mins, or 1 bus route running at the same frequency. They might pick the rail because it seems fancy.

Now give them the info on costs and eta to delivery of the service.

Ask them again and I'd be stunned if more than 5% choose rail.

they will pick the rail option because it's reliable and because it offers other benefits that other public transport options can't. it also has the greatist capacity and can become ultra-frequent with minimal staff costs compared to bus operation. nothing to do with being a fancy option, which it isn't. the costs of service delivery won't come into it for people because the benefits will outweigh them if the lot is implemented correctly.

eastwest

end of the road wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

What captures the publics attention is a service that is frequent and reliable in terms of journey time.

That is all.

Wheels or rails don't come into the equation.

Ask any ordinary punters which makes most sense. 1 light rail line running every 15 mins, or 1 bus route running at the same frequency. They might pick the rail because it seems fancy.

Now give them the info on costs and eta to delivery of the service.

Ask them again and I'd be stunned if more than 5% choose rail.

they will pick the rail option because it's reliable and because it offers other benefits that other public transport options can't. it also has the greatist capacity and can become ultra-frequent with minimal staff costs compared to bus operation. nothing to do with being a fancy option, which it isn't. the costs of service delivery won't come into it for people because the benefits will outweigh them if the lot is implemented correctly.

Dublin has more bike journeys than luas journeys, for example; a direct result of improved bike lanes and the Dublin bike scheme.
Apologies for deviating from the wrc.

end of the road

eastwest wrote: »

Dublin has more bike journeys than luas journeys, for example; a direct result of improved bike lanes and the Dublin bike scheme.

exactly, and that should be extended to the rest of the cities. no disagreement on that will come from me, all though i would prefer other public transport options to be improved first.

eastwest wrote: »

Apologies for deviating from the wrc.

yes, same from me.

hytrogen

end of the road wrote:

light rail has been proven to capture the publics attention compared to slow inefficient bus solutions, so therefore a bus solution is a waste of time resources and money. dedicated bus lanes would ultimately end up costing more if they have to be built, and in the case of bendy busses they would likely be a nightmare trying to get around the likes of galway anyway. dublin got rid of theirs for a reason after all. it's an inefficient let them eat cake solution which is no alternative to light rail. a good light rail system that has priority at traffic lights (and luas should also be given priority as well at traffic lights) would transform things in the cities for the good and future proof them.

Case in point DB bought a rake of Bendy's a while back, all yes all got das boot and shipped back for going tech so early on. Not one seen since except around Dublin airport for the long term car parkers

Muckyboots

http://connachttribune.ie/alternative-greenway-route-link-historical-sites-across-east-county-487

A Greenway on the banks of the Clare River, Abbert and Grange does not impact on the holding of landowners. "FACT" !

"An ambitious plan involving the provision of over 150 miles of greenway across the whole of East Galway has the potential to generate millions of euros for the region as well as creating hundreds of new jobs. The proposal – the culmination of 18 months of research – has already been welcomed by Transport Minister Shane Ross, with the next step likely to see it as the subject of a discussion workshop involving all relevant stakeholders.The plan envisages that the greenway routes from Ballinasloe to Galway city with spurs to North Galway will mainly be provided along rivers and State-owned lands – and, more importantly, will not be impacting on farmers’ holdings…unlike the controversial N6 route which has run up a blind alley on the back of opposition from affected landowners. This proposed route would bring tourists to some of the most historic locations in East and North Galway which would have the potential to create significant employment as well as generating a huge spend in the area.It has been devised by former senior roads engineer with Galway County Council, Martin Lavelle, who has already presented it to the Transport Minister and said that it was well received. It has also received the thumbs-up from County Galway IFA. Galway Minister for the OPW Deputy Sean Canney is supportive of the proposal and said that it would avoid any contentious situations when it comes to acquiring lands for the suggested routes. “It is definitely worth considering”, he added. There was uproar among the farming community when it was originally proposed to bring a greenway from Ballinasloe to Galway through farmland, dissecting farm holdings along the way. This proposal was eventually shelved following major opposition from farmers and the IFA. But the latest proposal would involve an alternative route taking in historical sites in the likes of Clonmacnoise, Clonfert and Aughrim along State owned lands and continuing along that vein towards Craughwell and Oranmore before arriving in the city."

eastwest

Muckyboots wrote: »

http://connachttribune.ie/alternative-greenway-route-link-historical-sites-across-east-county-487

A Greenway on the banks of the Clare River, Abbert and Grange does not impact on the holding of landowners. "FACT" !

"An ambitious plan involving the provision of over 150 miles of greenway across the whole of East Galway has the potential to generate millions of euros for the region as well as creating hundreds of new jobs. The proposal – the culmination of 18 months of research – has already been welcomed by Transport Minister Shane Ross, with the next step likely to see it as the subject of a discussion workshop involving all relevant stakeholders.The plan envisages that the greenway routes from Ballinasloe to Galway city with spurs to North Galway will mainly be provided along rivers and State-owned lands – and, more importantly, will not be impacting on farmers’ holdings…unlike the controversial N6 route which has run up a blind alley on the back of opposition from affected landowners. This proposed route would bring tourists to some of the most historic locations in East and North Galway which would have the potential to create significant employment as well as generating a huge spend in the area.It has been devised by former senior roads engineer with Galway County Council, Martin Lavelle, who has already presented it to the Transport Minister and said that it was well received. It has also received the thumbs-up from County Galway IFA. Galway Minister for the OPW Deputy Sean Canney is supportive of the proposal and said that it would avoid any contentious situations when it comes to acquiring lands for the suggested routes. “It is definitely worth considering”, he added. There was uproar among the farming community when it was originally proposed to bring a greenway from Ballinasloe to Galway through farmland, dissecting farm holdings along the way. This proposal was eventually shelved following major opposition from farmers and the IFA. But the latest proposal would involve an alternative route taking in historical sites in the likes of Clonmacnoise, Clonfert and Aughrim along State owned lands and continuing along that vein towards Craughwell and Oranmore before arriving in the city."

So, if this isn't another piece of 'post truth' from this camp, it might solve the Dublin-Galway impasse, but it doesn't get away from the fact that (a) the State owns a strip of land from Athenry to Collooney, (b) the State has no plans to do anything with that land, and (c) using the disused rail route not only preserves it and tidies it up, it is also significantly cheaper (about a quarter of the cost) compared to buying a new strip of land and letting the existing one lie idle and overgrown. It doesn't solve the dereliction on the old rail line, the loss of heritage buildings, bridges etc, and it doesn't deliver a greenway into the centre of towns where it can form part of a commuting route for schoolchildren and workers.
Current events may well overtake much of this 'fluting around' which is designed mainly to stop the use of the rail line as a greenway. Leo Varadkar is on record as saying that the first phase of the wrc was a mistake that won't be repeated; you can't get much clearer than that. In addition, his base is not in the same area as Enda Kenny; the latter was afraid to fall out with WOT despite favouring the greenway, and never pushed for this impasse to be sorted, preferring to allow nothing to happen. Varadkar is very much in favour of a national greenway network and will ensure that this kind of blathering is not tolerated at cabinet, should he become Taoiseach.

L1011

hytrogen wrote: »

Case in point DB bought a rake of Bendy's a while back, all yes all got das boot and shipped back for going tech so early on. Not one seen since except around Dublin airport for the long term car parkers

DB effectively had them bought for them by a Minister who wanted them; but didn't get DCC onboard to ensure stops were suited.

Sam Russell

L1011 wrote: »

DB effectively had them bought for them by a Minister who wanted them; but didn't get DCC onboard to ensure stops were suited.

... or even if the buses were suited to Dublin traffic. They were bendy buses but not bendy enough - watching them try to turn onto Westland Row would have made a cat laugh - they had to wait for a gap in the traffic coming up Westland Row while holding back the traffic behind them.

I think they were the only buses that DB fitted with sick bags in the rear part.

eastwest

Sam Russell wrote: »

L1011 wrote: »

DB effectively had them bought for them by a Minister who wanted them; but didn't get DCC onboard to ensure stops were suited.

... or even if the buses were suited to Dublin traffic. They were bendy buses but not bendy enough - watching them try to turn onto Westland Row would have made a cat laugh - they had to wait for a gap in the traffic coming up Westland Row while holding back the traffic behind them.

I think they were the only buses that DB fitted with sick bags in the rear part.

They're not suited to every route, but they would be a much faster and cheaper alternative to rail for Tuam Galway compared to rattling carefully across the bog via athenry.
Ireland isn't unique; these solutions work well in other countries, so why not here.
Route selection is key, using the right solution for each specific problem. A few bendy buses on the new motorway from ennis to Galway, with segregated bus lanes to bring them to the major work sites would knock spots off the train.

Sam Russell

eastwest wrote: »

They're not suited to every route, but they would be a much faster and cheaper alternative to rail for Tuam Galway compared to rattling carefully across the bog via athenry.
Ireland isn't unique; these solutions work well in other countries, so why not here.
Route selection is key, using the right solution for each specific problem. A few bendy buses on the new motorway from ennis to Galway, with segregated bus lanes to bring them to the major work sites would knock spots off the train.

Absolutely true. Buses whether bendy or not are far more flexible than a train service in low passenger number situations. A bus can maintain 100 km/hr on a motorway and divert to towns on route if required, but a train cannot.

Muckyboots

The Dublin-Galway Greenway backers won't be thanking Minister Sean Canney for his incongruous spinning of 18 months of behind the scenes hard work on behalf of a range of stakeholders. Going front page of Connaught Tribune and facilitating a half-cocked presentation to Tuam Municipal Council ( not even on the route) in what seems to be a deliberate attempt at a spoiler against the Athenry-Tuam rail proposal he has put the Dublin-Galway campaign on the defensive again. " Greenway has now become a dirty word among farming community" IFA County Chairman. So who wins?

serfboard

Muckyboots wrote: »

So who wins?

Emmm ... I'd say Sean does. Watch him get re-elected.

Muckyboots

serfboard wrote: »

Emmm ... I'd say Sean does. Watch him get re-elected.

He's a sure thing for a seat. But antagonising Galway farmers???

jmlfc

end of the road wrote: »

they will pick the rail option because it's reliable and because it offers other benefits that other public transport options can't. it also has the greatist capacity and can become ultra-frequent with minimal staff costs compared to bus operation. nothing to do with being a fancy option, which it isn't. the costs of service delivery won't come into it for people because the benefits will outweigh them if the lot is implemented correctly.

Heavy rail too expensive, why not this Cost efficient easy to setup, boost tourism, economies, lives,

http://www.tramalicante.es/page.php

Consonata

jmlfc wrote: »

Heavy rail too expensive, why not this Cost efficient easy to setup, boost tourism, economies, lives,

http://www.tramalicante.es/page.php

This.


I never understood why fast light rail couldn't be an option, especially considering the speeds at which they can travel it as opposed to diesel trains, which barely push past 60 on some IE lines. Its much cheaper too.

westtip

Muckyboots wrote: »

The Dublin-Galway Greenway backers won't be thanking Minister Sean Canney for his incongruous spinning of 18 months of behind the scenes hard work on behalf of a range of stakeholders. Going front page of Connaught Tribune and facilitating a half-cocked presentation to Tuam Municipal Council ( not even on the route) in what seems to be a deliberate attempt at a spoiler against the Athenry-Tuam rail proposal he has put the Dublin-Galway campaign on the defensive again. " Greenway has now become a dirty word among farming community" IFA County Chairman. So who wins?

Absolutely no one, certainly not the hospitality industry in East Galway. by the way if anyone here wants to sign the change.org petition the link is here:

https://www.change.org/p/western-rail-trail-campaign-create-a-walking-and-cycling-greenway-on-the-closed-railway-from-sligo-to-athenry?recruiter=679242500&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_term=des-lg-welcome_email-no_msg

loyatemu

Consonata wrote: »

This.


I never understood why fast light rail couldn't be an option, especially considering the speeds at which they can travel it as opposed to diesel trains, which barely push past 60 on some IE lines. Its much cheaper too.

how many people live along that line in Alicante, not to mention the millions of tourists? The reopening of Ennis-Athenry was already a cut price job, it's using existing rolling stock.

To do it as light rail you would still have had to relay the line and repair all the underlying structures, but also would have had the extra expense of electrifying it and buying new stock, and it wouldn't have been able to run into Galway on the existing heavy rail line.

hytrogen

Sam Russell wrote:

Absolutely true. Buses whether bendy or not are far more flexible than a train service in low passenger number situations. A bus can maintain 100 km/hr on a motorway and divert to towns on route if required, but a train cannot.

A bus is limited to 80kph, a coach to 100kph due to their construction standards and safety testing don't forget.

hytrogen

eastwest wrote:

They're not suited to every route, but they would be a much faster and cheaper alternative to rail for Tuam Galway compared to rattling carefully across the bog via athenry. Ireland isn't unique; these solutions work well in other countries, so why not here. Route selection is key, using the right solution for each specific problem. A few bendy buses on the new motorway from ennis to Galway, with segregated bus lanes to bring them to the major work sites would knock spots off the train.

Cheaper yes in the short term, faster well have you seen the traffic along the N17 around rush hours? It won't get much faster than that unless you get the punters on it by changing people's perception of public transportation in rural areas sadly.
In the end it would be better as you say "rattling across the bog" obstruction and traffic free.

end of the road

loyatemu wrote: »

how many people live along that line in Alicante, not to mention the millions of tourists? The reopening of Ennis-Athenry was already a cut price job, it's using existing rolling stock.

To do it as light rail you would still have had to relay the line and repair all the underlying structures, but also would have had the extra expense of electrifying it and buying new stock, and it wouldn't have been able to run into Galway on the existing heavy rail line.

that is true, but ennis athenry isn't an example i would use for such a scheme anyway. a better example might be tuam. with a light rail system a route could be found to by-pass athenry easier then if it was heavy rail, and it can use street running in galway city. it won't happen though as i said.

hytrogen

hytrogen wrote: »

A bus is limited to 80kph, a coach to 100kph due to their construction standards and safety testing don't forget.

I've never seen any of the "express" coaches do less than 120 on the motorway.

Isambard

I suspect they have speed limiters and so would be incapable of 120

serfboard

Deleted User wrote: »

I've never seen any of the "express" coaches do less than 120 on the motorway.

That's not my experience - both as a passenger and as a car driver passing them out. I don't think I've ever seen them do over 110.

end of the road

Isambard wrote: »

I suspect they have speed limiters and so would be incapable of 120

they have speed restricters yes.