Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

eastwest

JCX BXC wrote: »

Well it's not like it'll ever become a railway with or without the motorway.

Discussion will continue about the possible Greenway though?

I believe that the rail lobby, which has long ago lost the argument about building a railway, has become a defacto anti-greenway lobby.
So, even after the railway dream has been put to bed firmly with the opening of the motorway, the anti greenway campaign will carry on.
Like all good feuds, the origins will have been long lost but the fight will continue.

Taytosnax

eastwest wrote: »

I believe that the rail lobby, which has long ago lost the argument about building a railway, has become a defacto anti-greenway lobby.
So, even after the rail is due has been put to be firmly with the opening of the motorway, the anti greenway campaign will carry on.
Like all good feuds, the origins will have been long lost but the fight will continue.

As usual you are making a statement that is not backed up with fact, other than your opinion. I would love to see an argument from you based on facts rather than your own opinions.

Jamie2k9

You know the motorway is opening soon......

TD slams ‘misinformation’ over Western Rail Corridor

http://connachttribune.ie/galway-td-slams-misinformation-over-western-rail-corridor-101/

Mayo Co. Council Cathaoirleach calls for restoration of Mayo-Galway rail link – Aug 2017

http://www.claremorrischamber.ie/2017/08/mayo-co-council-cathaoirleach-calls-for-restoration-of-mayo-galway-rail-link-aug-2017/

marno21

Freight services. Ok mate.

Perhaps the only freight being carried on the line will be the clearly vast quantity of whatever he is smoking.

westtip

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

You know the motorway is opening soon......



http://connachttribune.ie/galway-td-slams-misinformation-over-western-rail-corridor-101/



http://www.claremorrischamber.ie/2017/08/mayo-co-council-cathaoirleach-calls-for-restoration-of-mayo-galway-rail-link-aug-2017/

What that particular TD is preparing the way for is when the decision is finally announced that the so called WRC is not going to be built north of Athenry, he can blame it on the folks who talked the railway down, with an accusing pointed finger "its all their fault". Of course this is total bull**** but if he is being advised properly he will need an exit strategy so he can defer the blame on others.

eastwest

westtip wrote: »

What that particular TD is preparing the way for is when the decision is finally announced that the so called WRC is not going to be built north of Athenry, he can blame it on the folks who talked the railway down, with an accusing pointed finger "its all their fault". Of course this is total bull**** but if he is being advised properly he will need an exit strategy so he can defer the blame on others.

As long as he can keep blocking the greenway, he can keep spouting nonsense about trains. And if he's clever about the imaginary greenway, he can be all things to all men while delivering nothing for Tuam and Athenry.

eastwest

So, does anyone still think it will be extended?

http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-rail-earmarks-four-routes-for-axe-as-it-warns-pay-rise-will-push-it-towards-insolvency-36079194.html

Del.Monte

Shane "knows nothing about railways" Coleman about to spout his usual ill informed, anti-rail guff on Newstalk now.

Or is he? Perhaps he will go to his default position of reading out listeners texts on the subject.

It's still coming - latest quote from the knowledgeable one.

"Is it time to rethink our train system?" :rolleyes:

Oh, it's one clueless railway expert talking to another - Barry Kenny.

Then he let's Kenny go before Mattie McGrath comes on just in case he would ask awkward questions.

Markcheese

Does shane Coleman need to know anything about railways? He knows about how politics works in this country!
. Barry Kenny comes on to say what he wants... He knows he won't get that...it's kite flying, There's no way they'll shut Ennis athenry, it's too recent (but bringing it up also keeps a certain Galway TD off balance) .. Limerick jct to ballybrophey is the sacrificial lamb, and the other 2 who knows.
. . Would shutting those lines actually save much anyway? Can the staff or equipment be easily redeployed to make a a difference elsewhere on the system,?

eastwest

Del.Monte wrote: »

Shane "knows nothing about railways" Coleman about to spout his usual ill informed, anti-rail guff on Newstalk now.

Or is he? Perhaps he will go to his default position of reading out listeners texts on the subject.

It's still coming - latest quote from the knowledgeable one.

"Is it time to rethink our train system?" :rolleyes:

Oh, it's one clueless railway expert talking to another - Barry Kenny.

Then he let's Kenny go before Mattie McGrath comes on just in case he would ask awkward questions.

You don't need to be an expert on anything to know that subsidies per passenger journey of the order highlighted by Irish rail make no sense.
We pay to subsidise public transport because it is logical.to do so, but this subsidy should be used to best effect, and to assist with appropriate transport solutions. The four lines earmarked for closure do not comprise appropriate solutions by any stretch of the imagination.

eastwest

Markcheese wrote: »

Does shane Coleman need to know anything about railways? He knows about how politics works in this country!
. Barry Kenny comes on to say what he wants... He knows he won't get that...it's kite flying, There's no way they'll shut Ennis athenry, it's too recent (but bringing it up also keeps a certain Galway TD off balance) .. Limerick jct to ballybrophey is the sacrificial lamb, and the other 2 who knows.
. . Would shutting those lines actually save much anyway? Can the staff or equipment be easily redeployed to make a a difference elsewhere on the system,?

I agree, they won't close ennis athenry, not yet anyway. And they shouldn't at this stage; they should wait and see if numbers drop when the motorway opens and bus services bed in on the new Road.
If numbers don't fall.off at that stage there is probably a justification for retaining the services on this route that are most used and dropping the others. However it is very clear that anyone who thinks that north of Athenry is still on the cards is hopelessly deluded.

Del.Monte

eastwest wrote: »

You don't need to be an expert on anything to know that subsidies per passenger journey of the order highlighted by Irish rail make no sense.
We pay to subsidise public transport because it is logical.to do so, but this subsidy should be used to best effect, and to assist with appropriate transport solutions. The four lines earmarked for closure do not comprise appropriate solutions by any stretch of the imagination.

You need to be some sort of a serious journalist on top of your brief to ask probing questions - Coleman has proved time and again that he is a lazy hack both on the radio and in print.

That other always available well known rail 'expert' Sean Barrett on with PK now.

McAlban

Like I've said before; Mayo and Galway CC have Greenways in their development plans that are delayed/over budget/blocked by Nimbys; The same is true of the Great Southern Rail Trail and Farranfore to Valentia Greenway.; These would be prioritised over any "potential" WRC Greenway. Railway Economics and Greenway Economics are just Economics, No Money, No Investment.

EuroVelo1 (Along the wild Atlantic Way) and EuroVelo2 (Galway to Dublin) are the only shows in town.

Facebook groups with likes are a poor measure of General support. IT Seems to me the People of Tuam would welcome anything that sounds like investment in their area. Railway, Greenway, Industrial etc. and who can blame them.

Now that they will have easy access to the Motorway network it does mean the railway is less likely to be re-instated. Quite frankly we can't rely on The NBRU Irish Rail not to sabotage it anyway on the merry go round that passes for industrial relations in this country.

There is a huge amount of rhetoric and down-right propaganda spewed out on this thread. Mostly by the Greenway side of late, regurgitating the downright cr*p spewed out by those with vested interests.

The most likely outcome of Athenry to Claremorris and further north is that nothing will be done. (no Matter what Railway, or Greenway Campaigners Say)

eastwest

McAlban wrote: »

Like I've said before; Mayo and Galway CC have Greenways in their development plans that are delayed/over budget/blocked by Nimbys; The same is true of the Great Southern Rail Trail and Farranfore to Valentia Greenway.; These would be prioritised over any "potential" WRC Greenway. Railway Economics and Greenway Economics are just Economics, No Money, No Investment.

EuroVelo1 (Along the wild Atlantic Way) and EuroVelo2 (Galway to Dublin) are the only shows in town.

Facebook groups with likes are a poor measure of General support. IT Seems to me the People of Tuam would welcome anything that sounds like investment in their area. Railway, Greenway, Industrial etc. and who can blame them.

Now that they will have easy access to the Motorway network it does mean the railway is less likely to be re-instated. Quite frankly we can't rely on The NBRU Irish Rail not to sabotage it anyway on the merry go round that passes for industrial relations in this country.

There is a huge amount of rhetoric and down-right propaganda spewed out on this thread. Mostly by the Greenway side of late, regurgitating the downright cr*p spewed out by those with vested interests.

The most likely outcome of Athenry to Claremorris and further north is that nothing will be done. (no Matter what Railway, or Greenway Campaigners Say)

Unfortunately for logic, that's probably a good assessment of the situation. The outcome that best suits politicians is to to make sure that nothing gets done. That way, while nobody will be happy, nobody will.be upset either.

westtip

McAlban wrote: »

Facebook groups with likes are a poor measure of General support. IT Seems to me the People of Tuam would welcome anything that sounds like investment in their area. Railway, Greenway, Industrial etc. and who can blame them.

True to a certain extent, but social media is a new barometer of opinion, and in any event over 500 real people have forked out money to become members of Sligo Greenway Co-op and over 600 people took to the streets of Tuam recently asking for a Greenway and over 300 people in the Kiltimagh area recently signed a petition in hard copy (not a simple click like) asking for a greenway and nearly 300 real submissions went into Mayo coco asking for a greenway.

The greenway campaign may have started in social media on facebook but is actually a lot more "real" than you might imagine in representing general support.

JCX BXC

The assertion that Ennis-Athenry will be chopped is quite funny.

If we are lucky, Limerick to Ballybrophy will be gone and that should help cover a few losses.

Del.Monte

JCX BXC wrote: »

The assertion that Ennis-Athenry will be chopped is quite funny.

If we are lucky, Limerick to Ballybrophy will be gone and that should help cover a few losses.

So Limerick/Ballybrophy goes - what would you like to rip-up next time CIE reaches the abyss.?

JCX BXC

Del.Monte wrote: »

So Limerick/Ballybrophy goes - what would you like to rip-up next time CIE reaches the abyss.?

No lines that are viable, the Limerick to Ballybrophy is wholly unviable.

what_traffic

The most likely outcome of Athenry to Claremorris and further north is that nothing will be done. (no Matter what Railway, or Greenway Campaigners Say)

Not based on this News Story.

Galway Junior Minister says Athenry-Ennis rail route may not be viable 
http://connachttribune.ie/galway-junior-minister-says-athenry-ennis-rail-route-may-not-be-viable/
"
[font=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Galway East Minister of State, Ciaran Cannon says, a greenway might be a better opportunity for the Ennis to Athenry rail line.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]"[/font]

end of the road

eastwest wrote: »

You don't need to be an expert on anything to know that subsidies per passenger journey of the order highlighted by Irish rail make no sense.

indeed, but not in the way you think. they don't make sense because irish rail are untrustworthy and have a history of contempt toards certain lines, funnily enough the 4 proposed CIE also have a history of over-inflating costs and doing work to bring those costs up when they want to shut lines.
there is absolutely no reason for gorey rosslare to shut, it's decently used, i know as i've been using it for over 2 decades now. ballybroaphy is a gonner, we knew that years ago, a proper country wouldn't have allowed it to rot either closing it decades ago or investing in it. limerick junction to waterford can be brought back from the brink (won't happen)

eastwest wrote: »

We pay to subsidise public transport because it is logical.to do so, but this subsidy should be used to best effect, and to assist with appropriate transport solutions.

that is all ready being done for 2 of those lines, hence they have a train service.

eastwest wrote: »

The four lines earmarked for closure do not comprise appropriate solutions by any stretch of the imagination.

rosslare goarey at least comprises appropriate solutions by any stretch of the imagination, hence it has a train service and the users of the train service won't be changing over to services that don't meet their needs, which the train currently does.

Del.Monte

There's been a serious amount of work along the DSE section south of Rathdrum in the last couple of years - track, lineside fencing, tree felling, culvert work and flood protection - a sure sign that closure is on the cards.

McAlban

what_traffic wrote: »

Galway East Minister of State, Ciaran Cannon says, a greenway might be a better opportunity for the Ennis to Athenry rail line.

As others have said in this thread, it's politics, if it doesn't happen, they can point the finger at opposition to the Greenway and vice versa.

JCX BXC

JCX BXC wrote: »

The assertion that Ennis-Athenry will be chopped is quite funny.

If we are lucky, Limerick to Ballybrophy will be gone and that should help cover a few losses.

Good thing they don't evaluate roads the same way that they do railways, if they did, there are quite a few kilometres of road around here that would have been abandoned decades ago!
The costs of maintenance far exceeding any economic value of the traffic on them.

end of the road

Deleted User wrote: »

Good thing they don't evaluate roads the same way that they do railways, if they did, there are quite a few kilometres of road around here that would have been abandoned decades ago!
The costs of maintenance far exceeding any economic value of the traffic on them.

indeed. no expence spared when it comes to mohherways to nowhere begorra but nothing for local roads and the railway will get a few crums grudgingly.

bk

end of the road wrote: »

indeed. no expence spared when it comes to mohherways to nowhere begorra but nothing for local roads and the railway will get a few crums grudgingly.

Shrug, until a rail line runs up to the front door of every home, that is just the reality.

serfboard

end of the road wrote: »

no expence spared when it comes to mohherways to nowhere

Where are these motorways to nowhere?

hytrogen

serfboard wrote:

Where are these motorways to nowhere?

Killarney from Dublin and Rosslare. Again fuelled by politics. Yeah we needed motorways to Limerick and Cork but they intended on continuing the motorways as a circuit to Killarney..

marno21

hytrogen wrote: »

Killarney from Dublin and Rosslare. Again fuelled by politics. Yeah we needed motorways to Limerick and Cork but they intended on continuing the motorways as a circuit to Killarney..

There's a motorway to Killarney?

This is news to me, can you show it to me on a map by any chance?

Grandeeod

end of the road wrote: »

indeed. no expence spared when it comes to mohherways to nowhere begorra but nothing for local roads and the railway will get a few crums grudgingly.

What an utterly stupid post. First of all, there are no MOTORWAYS (I personally dislike your "stage Irish" language) to nowhere. The motorway building programme in this country was perhaps the best economic future proofing thing ever. While not as busy as they are built for and still commanding lots of money by way of toll operator "subventions", they have made Ireland smaller and offered faster/safer public and private transport options. Local roads are improving all the time, unless you are talking about a laneway up to 4 bungalows that also demand electricity, sewerage and broadband. Different argument. As for the railway. Step back. Leave your issues behind you. Look at it compared to 20 years ago. Its far more modern, safer and to some extent faster. There are major operational issues, but the massive investment in railways over the last 15 years has transformed them.

I think you need to get out more, because your opinions often belie reality.

hytrogen

marno21 wrote:

There's a motorway to Killarney?
This is news to me, can you show it to me on a map by any chance?

Re read that post with less sarcastic optimism and a bit more informed criticism, otherwise hand me that greenway crayon everyone's holding here..