Weedsprayer Train visits the South Wexford

The_Wanderer

Evening all,
After being dropped from its traditional slot at the start of the Weedspray Program, the mothballed South Wexford railway finally saw the train operate over the branch on Friday 14th June. It operated from Portlaoise to Waterford on Thursday afternoon to position itself for the run on the next day, thus giving the unusual sight of the Weedspray train operating in the Down Direction on the South Wexford Line.

Scheduled to depart Waterford on the Friday morning at 0700, which necessitated a 0420 alarm clock call, the train crossed the Barrow Bridge at 0755 and proceeded to Rosslare Strand arriving there at 0940.

071 ran around its train at Rosslare Europort and then operated to Rosslare Strand where it waited for the 0940 Connolly - Rosslare Europort service to arrive.

On board the 0940 from Connolly was the new Iarnrod Eireann CEO Mr.
David Franks who travelled in the cab of the locomotive to view the disused line for himself.

The line was also sprayed in both directions.

Pictures begin with the positioning move on Thursday afternoon and some early morning photos in Waterford. Pictures of the Weedspray are from Barrow Bridge, Wellington Bridge, Bridgetown, Rosslare Strand and Rosslare Europort. http://smu.gs/120LqFA

Enjoy,
The Wanderer.

Losty Dublin

Excellent work, Wanderer. God be with the days when a baby did the sprayer all on its own

cbl593h

Great pics.

One point though- weedspray is done using MPVs in the UK around April and May (usually as 6Z05 headcode), however it took 3 attempts recently to spray the Westbury to Weymouth branch through a combination of pathing and heavy rain ! The mixture is not allowed to be sprayed when its raining because of ineffectiveness and also because of runoff into the surrounding ecosystem. Different rules in Ireland or just don't care ???

Losty Dublin

cbl593h wrote: »

Great pics.

One point though- weedspray is done using MPVs in the UK around April and May (usually as 6Z05 headcode), however it took 3 attempts recently to spray the Westbury to Weymouth branch through a combination of pathing and heavy rain ! The mixture is not allowed to be sprayed when its raining because of ineffectiveness and also because of runoff into the surrounding ecosystem. Different rules in Ireland or just don't care ???

1. Less pathing issues to hinder things here as a general thing.
2. I dont know about the UK but Irish Rail don't use the old pesticide on the sprayer that they used to. I believe it was a lime based chemical that reacted with oxygen upon impact; it was lethal stuff and could disintegrate even small bushes and thick grasses in seconds. Which leads to the next two points....
3. In the last few years most the relaid network had mesh laid underneath so there is less issues with plants growing through the track as a rule.
4. All the Irish Rail fleet have contained WC on board so there is no real issue with organic matters left behind; spraying used to help break it down.

Grandeeod

The_Wanderer wrote: »

On board the 0940 from Connolly was the new Iarnrod Eireann CEO Mr.
David Franks who travelled in the cab of the locomotive to view the disused line for himself.

Why? History suggests that the weedsprayer will shortly boycott this line and then that's that for it. Another few pages in a book that will be written in 10 - 20 years time.

Great pics by the way.

corktina

why? would you turn up the chance of a day out in the cab, and no doubt a slap up lunch somewhere

dowlingm

Perhaps IE are going to take another run at asking NTA to fully abandon the line, and DF wanted to be able to see he was personally familiar with the line. Why would IE retain a line indefinitely when it makes no revenue from it? If government wants the line and others like it to remain in situ, it should empower NTA to take direct ownership of it and relieve CIE of the financial burden of it.

The_Wanderer

Grandeeod wrote: »

Why? History suggests that the weedsprayer will shortly boycott this line and then that's that for it. Another few pages in a book that will be written in 10 - 20 years time.

Great pics by the way.

Not necessarily. The line is under a care and maintenance program, which unlike previous C&M is audited by the National Transport Authority. Any changes to the retention and upkeep of the line will require NTA approval. See
http://www.nationaltransport.ie/downloads/asset_management_of_the_bellview-rosslare_strand_line.pdf

Plus the line is very useful for stock transfers in the event of the Rosslare - Dublin line becoming isolated due to Mother Nature. Which has occured several times in the last couple of years.

corktina wrote: »

why? would you turn up the chance of a day out in the cab, and no doubt a slap up lunch somewhere

Why the negative attitude? I applaud Mr. Franks for taking the interest to travel on the line and to get a idea of the area and what options may or may not exist for the railway line in the future.
Plus, I can assure you his schedule did not allow for a "slap up lunch somewhere" as you so well put it.

Losty Dublin

dowlingm wrote: »

Perhaps IE are going to take another run at asking NTA to fully abandon the line, and DF wanted to be able to see he was personally familiar with the line. Why would IE retain a line indefinitely when it makes no revenue from it? If government wants the line and others like it to remain in situ, it should empower NTA to take direct ownership of it and relieve CIE of the financial burden of it.

IE can't decide to abandon the line as they don't legally own it. That said, it's a white elephant of a line that will never come close to making any money.

Jamie2k9

Losty Dublin wrote: »

IE can't decide to abandon the line as they don't legally own it. That said, it's a white elephant of a line that will never come close to making any money.

Has a much better chance of making money than some lines currently open....

Plus, I can assure you his schedule did not allow for a "slap up lunch somewhere" as you so well put it.

Did he travel back to Dublin on the 14.50 from Waterford?

Grandeeod

The_Wanderer wrote: »

Not necessarily. The line is under a care and maintenance program, which unlike previous C&M is audited by the National Transport Authority. Any changes to the retention and upkeep of the line will require NTA approval. See
http://www.nationaltransport.ie/downloads/asset_management_of_the_bellview-rosslare_strand_line.pdf

Plus the line is very useful for stock transfers in the event of the Rosslare - Dublin line becoming isolated due to Mother Nature. Which has occured several times in the last couple of years.




Why the negative attitude? I applaud Mr. Franks for taking the interest to travel on the line and to get a idea of the area and what options may or may not exist for the railway line in the future.
Plus, I can assure you his schedule did not allow for a "slap up lunch somewhere" as you so well put it.

Personally I think you are sold on the whole NTA thing in protecting the line. I'm not. But time will prove one of us correct. The line has indeed got some operational use as you alluded to. No doubt about that. As for your man Franks, you cannot blame people for being somewhat sceptical about his cab trip. It looks like a prelude to closure and abandonment unless he proves himself to be a visionary.

Grandeeod

Losty Dublin wrote: »

IE can't decide to abandon the line as they don't legally own it. That said, it's a white elephant of a line that will never come close to making any money.

They may not "legally" own it, but they had no problem stopping services on it. The white elephant is no whiter than many other issues on the network. The closure of WAT - ROS will be followed by WAT -LIMK JUNCT. CIE have wanted this for years. IRRS Journals don't lie. This was on the cards from the 70s, including the Ballybrophy branch.

Agenda.

dermo88

Losty Dublin

That said, it's a white elephant of a line that will never come close to making any money.

Agree, once the Sugar traffic went, it was only a matter of time before it closed.

At the very best, with the most optimistic and well planned timetable possible, the most competitive of fares, it would be impossible to get the 100,000+ passengers per annum to justify retention of the route to the point where it could cover 25% of its operational costs from the farebox.

Limerick to Ballybrophy is in a similar 'fix', and is next.

corktina

Negative attitude? I wouldn't have turned down the opportunity either. But one does wonder what the purpose of it was.(slap up lunch was a bit tongue in cheek I guess)

corktina

Grandeeod wrote: »

They may not "legally" own it, but they had no problem stopping services on it. The white elephant is no whiter than many other issues on the network. The closure of WAT - ROS will be followed by WAT -LIMK JUNCT. CIE have wanted this for years. IRRS Journals don't lie. This was on the cards from the 70s, including the Ballybrophy branch.

Agenda.

Welll they have pared both lines as close to the bone as they dare. Lines with virtually no trains cannot be successful. The only way you can increase usage is to run a better, more frequent service.Never going to happen....even the WRC only gets a puny 5 (or is it 4 yet?) trains a day.

Losty Dublin

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Has a much better chance of making money than some lines currently open....

Jamie, the line serves no towns of any size en route. King Midas would struggle to make gold on it.

Jamie2k9

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Jamie, the line serves no towns of any size en route. King Midas would struggle to make gold on it.

Put it this way IE's accounts would be better if the WRC or Limerick-Ballybrophy were not around instead of Rosslare-Waterford. I agree that not many could make the line a success,

AlekSmart

Nice photo's as always.

Does'nt 0117071 ( ) look well too,I never expected the all-over grey to be quite as....erm....attractive ?

Magpie1951

Grandeeod wrote: »

They may not "legally" own it, but they had no problem stopping services on it. The white elephant is no whiter than many other issues on the network. The closure of WAT - ROS will be followed by WAT -LIMK JUNCT. CIE have wanted this for years. IRRS Journals don't lie. This was on the cards from the 70s, including the Ballybrophy branch.

Agenda.

You forgot Manulla Jct Ballina which is another favourite closure target for IE/CIE. The tried to close the branch in the late 80's and again in 2001 along with Limerick Rosslare and Limerick Ballybrophy. In fact I have been led to believe that it could be on the chopping block again at the moment.

rainbowdash

Magpie1951 wrote: »

You forgot Manulla Jct Ballina which is another favourite closure target for IE/CIE. The tried to close the branch in the late 80's and again in 2001 along with Limerick Rosslare and Limerick Ballybrophy. In fact I have been led to believe that it could be on the chopping block again at the moment.

If they are planning to clip Ballina then they are planning to get out of railfreight completely except Tara mines, which I presume will be gone as well eventually??

goingnowhere

5 trains more than it deserves, Waterford Rosslare had a much higher load factor and a time advantage over any other mode of transport

Its just wasn't West of the Shannon so got shafted

rainbowdash

goingnowhere wrote: »

5 trains more than it deserves, Waterford Rosslare had a much higher load factor and a time advantage over any other mode of transport

Its just wasn't West of the Shannon so got shafted

Well to be fair Limerick - Ballybrophy and LK Junction - Waterford is not west of the Shannon either and they survived.

Ballina has freight so that helps pay the bills.

Ennis - Athenry was newly laid so would be hugely embarrassing to close, and it because its new track I assume maintenance costs are lower than keeping the barrow bridge for example.

Which west of the Shannon line should have been chopped first and why?

Jamie2k9

Well to be fair Limerick - Ballybrophy and LK Junction - Waterford is not west of the Shannon either and they survived.

Ballina has freight so that helps pay the bills.

Ennis - Athenry was newly laid so would be hugely embarrassing to close, and it because its new track I assume maintenance costs are lower than keeping the barrow bridge for example.

Which west of the Shannon line should have been chopped first and why?

Waterford-Limerick J is also new track...

The WRC is an embarrassment full stop, weather opened or closed. People in the west elected muppets to the Dail.

As for Ballina branch closure, not going to happen at all.

rainbowdash

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Waterford-Limerick J is also new track...

The WRC is an embarrassment full stop, weather opened or closed. People in the west elected muppets to the Dail.

As for Ballina branch closure, not going to happen at all.

Well that gave me a laugh on a Monday, like people in the east only ever vote in competent people.:D

Losty Dublin

rainbowdash wrote: »

Well to be fair Limerick - Ballybrophy and LK Junction - Waterford is not west of the Shannon either and they survived.

Ballina has freight so that helps pay the bills.

Ennis - Athenry was newly laid so would be hugely embarrassing to close, and it because its new track I assume maintenance costs are lower than keeping the barrow bridge for example.

Which west of the Shannon line should have been chopped first and why?

Back in the 80's some political direction lent towards abandonment of the lines to Galway, Westport and Ballina. The cynical view was that once the Shannon Bridge needed replacing the costs of same would make it uneconomical and the lines would go. Funds were found at the time to close the old station and to reopen the GSWR stop. While it was a more practical site as a whole to replace the dilapidated old station, it merely added fuel to the fire at a time when CIE faced it's splitting into 3 separate arms in readiness for selling off and economy drives had to be found.

rainbowdash

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Back in the 80's some political direction lent towards abandonment of the lines to Galway, Westport and Ballina. The cynical view was that once the Shannon Bridge needed replacing the costs of same would make it uneconomical and the lines would go. Funds were found at the time to close the old station and to reopen the GSWR stop. While it was a more practical site as a whole to replace the dilapidated old station, it merely added fuel to the fire at a time when CIE faced it's splitting into 3 separate arms in readiness for selling off and economy drives had to be found.

I'm not talking about the 1980's though, just in terms of the last 5 years and the current cuts, which line should have been the first to go instead of south wexford and why.

Jamie2k9

rainbowdash wrote: »

Well that gave me a laugh on a Monday, like people in the east only ever vote in competent people.:D

TD's in the east do a better job and don't thrown money at a line to please a small group in the West and because people in the West don't use it the same group go to the EU and say the Government is neglecting the region by not paying for the rest of the WRC. In sure TD's for the region will entertain these latest developments.

In the East the transport systems will be productive and of benefit to the region and money well spend.

rainbowdash

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

TD's in the east do a better job and don't thrown money at a line to please a small group in the West and because people in the West don't use it the same group go to the EU and say the Government is neglecting the region by not paying for the rest of the WRC. In sure TD's for the region will entertain these latest developments.

In the East the transport systems will be productive and of benefit to the region and money well spend.

Yeah right, its not like politicians would close railway lines in Dublin only to reopen some of them at considerable expense many years later like the broadstone and Harcourt street lines were closed and one of them reopened.

And Bertie, Lenihan and McAreevy were great at doing a better job all the same, led the country to the IMF. Probably costs us more in interest repayments in 1 hour than the Ennis - Athenry costs in a year.

Comparing transport systems in a rural V urban environment is like comparing chalk and cheese.

Jamie2k9

rainbowdash wrote: »

Yeah right, its not like politicians would close railway lines in Dublin only to reopen some of them at considerable expense many years later like the broadstone and Harcourt street lines were closed and one of them reopened.

And Bertie, Lenihan and McAreevy were great at doing a better job all the same, led the country to the IMF. Probably costs us more in interest repayments in 1 hour than the Ennis - Athenry costs in a year.

Comparing transport systems in a rural V urban environment is like comparing chalk and cheese.

Well its people in the east who are paying to cover the 3.5 million losses on the WRC per year. Think they will have something to say about annual fare increases to cover political lines. I'm not comparing transport systems just saying that money is better spend elsewhere in this country and it gives a much better return on investment. Before this line was built people were told it wouldn't be used but of course TD's in the West said it would.

Anyway maybe we should get back on topic about the Rosslare-Waterford line an weed sprayer and not line closures.

end of the road

Grandeeod wrote: »

The closure of WAT - ROS will be followed by WAT -LIMK JUNCT.
CIE have wanted this for years. IRRS Journals don't lie. This was on the cards from the 70s, including the Ballybrophy branch.

funny that, read something recently which suggested that was the plan along with scoping to turn the barrow bridge into a road bridge back in the 70s, can't remember for the life of me where i saw it though

end of the road

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Back in the 80's some political direction lent towards abandonment of the lines to Galway, Westport and Ballina. The cynical view was that once the Shannon Bridge needed replacing the costs of same would make it uneconomical and the lines would go.

well in fairness even back then they wanted to shut and rip up the lot, probably to help benefit friends of theirs no doubt.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Funds were found at the time to close the old station and to reopen the GSWR stop. While it was a more practical site as a whole to replace the dilapidated old station, it merely added fuel to the fire at a time when CIE faced it's splitting into 3 separate arms in readiness for selling off and economy drives had to be found.

your talking about athlone here?

Grandeeod

end of the road wrote: »

funny that, read something recently which suggested that was the plan along with scoping to turn the barrow bridge into a road bridge back in the 70s, can't remember for the life of me where i saw it though

You are right. There was a plan to convert the barrow bridge to road in the 70s.

dowlingm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

IE can't decide to abandon the line as they don't legally own it.

Without CIE, FRRHC has no reason for existence and they are the ones paying the weedsprayer tab etc. No rush in regularising things though or anything.

cbl593h

Grandeeod wrote: »

IRRS Journals don't lie.

I hate to snip to this extent but the above is hardly the wisest statement I've ever heard.................

Grandeeod

cbl593h wrote: »

I hate to snip to this extent but the above is hardly the wisest statement I've ever heard.................

LOL! I see your point. But I was referring to their Irish Railway News sections that simply recount whats happening on the network.

cbl593h

This being the most recent thread surrounding the line it should be noted that there's a picture going around on faceache of 700 (?) on the line today.

end of the road

cbl593h wrote: »

This being the most recent thread surrounding the line it should be noted that there's a picture going around on faceache of 700 (?) on the line today.

i take it 700 is an inspection car or something?

Jamie2k9

end of the road wrote: »

i take it 700 is an inspection car or something?

Indeed an inspection car went along the route.

The_Wanderer

700 is the Track Recording Vehicle. Not a Inspection Car.

http://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2010/October-2010/i-RrVpNgW

GMKK96

LivelineDipso

So what!

This OPERATIONAL line was destroyed...murdered...sacrificed to keep a Parish Priest in Mayo and a bunch of Lemon Curd Sambo Trainspotters beloved Western FAIL Corridor to keep running a handful of grannys between Ennis and Athenry.

GET REAL!

Jamie2k9

The_Wanderer wrote: »

700 is the Track Recording Vehicle. Not a Inspection Car.

http://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2010/October-2010/i-RrVpNgW

Can I ask what is the difference. To me inspection and Recording mean more less the same thing. What's difference between both vehicles.

The_Wanderer

A inspection car is a vehicle, such as the one in that video, which allows several personal to visually inspect the track or visit a certain location. It has no recording equipment of any kind.

On the other hand, the TRV records the condition of the track.

end of the road

LivelineDipso wrote: »

So what!

This OPERATIONAL line was destroyed...murdered...sacrificed to keep a Parish Priest in Mayo and a bunch of Lemon Curd Sambo Trainspotters beloved Western FAIL Corridor to keep running a handful of grannys between Ennis and Athenry.

GET REAL!

hmmmm, are you suggesting this is or isn't the case? i wouldn't rule it out to be true (after all it was said in a report that 3 regional lines would close to pay for the WRC) one has come through and the other 2 will go bye bye any day now, ah shur only god knows what is the real truth, i certainly wouldn't trust IE'S version but thats just me

Jamie2k9

end of the road wrote: »

hmmmm, are you suggesting this is or isn't the case? i wouldn't rule it out to be true (after all it was said in a report that 3 regional lines would close to pay for the WRC) one has come through and the other 2 will go bye bye any day now, ah shur only god knows what is the real truth, i certainly wouldn't trust IE'S version but thats just me

As the IE CEO said last week if you want a rail line open that has major losses then the Government must pay for it. CEO said Government will be shown the cost for x line and if they want it operational they will pay for it fully to keep it.

Grandeeod

LivelineDipso wrote: »

So what!

This OPERATIONAL line was destroyed...murdered...sacrificed to keep a Parish Priest in Mayo and a bunch of Lemon Curd Sambo Trainspotters beloved Western FAIL Corridor to keep running a handful of grannys between Ennis and Athenry.

GET REAL!

I can get down with that viewpoint.

Grandeeod

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

As the IE CEO said last week if you want a rail line open that has major losses then the Government must pay for it. CEO said Government will be shown the cost for x line and if they want it operational they will pay for it fully to keep it.

Do you find it interesting that the South Wexford line carried no less passengers than the WRC - Ennis - Athenry service? It may not link two small cities, but it did open up the south of the country via a major sea port.

This is so uncomfortable. We have a rail operator closing lines to save money and a Government reacting to pressure and reopening another loss making line.

CIE and Government = A really sickening combo.

Jamie2k9

Grandeeod wrote: »

Do you find it interesting that the South Wexford line carried no less passengers than the WRC - Ennis - Athenry service? It may not link two small cities, but it did open up the south of the country via a major sea port.

This is so uncomfortable. We have a rail operator closing lines to save money and a Government reacting to pressure and reopening another loss making line.

CIE and Government = A really sickening combo.

It carries a lot more than the WRC, 25-30 per day was normal on the route.

Its not IE's fault, the Government are cutting funding and demanding IE return to profitability. While IE are making cuts across the board the Government want certain rail lines open but don't want to pay for them you can't have it both ways.

If WRC and BB-Limerick lines were closed that's probably around 6 million taken out of IE losses per year which is a lot. Not sure how much the Waterford-Limerick is loosing but losses will be down a lot this year and it is well used. If funding was their for automatic LC's then losses wouldn't be much.

TD's can't have it both ways.

Banjoxed

LivelineDipso wrote: »

So what!

This OPERATIONAL line was destroyed...murdered...sacrificed to keep a Parish Priest in Mayo and a bunch of Lemon Curd Sambo Trainspotters beloved Western FAIL Corridor to keep running a handful of grannys between Ennis and Athenry.

GET REAL!

Did anyone actually see real Lemon curd sandwiches being eaten by visible or proclaimed trainspotters or is this a boards thing like yore ma, the ghey or Atari Jaguar?

end of the road

Grandeeod wrote: »

Do you find it interesting that the South Wexford line carried no less passengers than the WRC - Ennis - Athenry service? It may not link two small cities, but it did open up the south of the country via a major sea port.

it actually carried a lot more passengers then ennis athenry, i can tell you for a fact their were a lot more then 25 using the service, i and many others have seen the downgrades, their was a time when the line was a through service to lj and while yes it took a little bit it was a good and handy service that IMO is a loss, but to late now i guess, if the government want to spend money reopening lines, then their going to do it, but please do not allow it to be at the expence of other lines

end of the road

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Its not IE's fault, the Government are cutting funding and demanding IE return to profitability.

good look with that, the same thing was tried in the 60s to make all the railway profitable, it failed, apart from dart and commuter i can't see much proffit being made unless passenger numbers are increased, the only way that can happen is if fairs come down and speeds are improved along with the elimination of manned level crossings on lines such as lj waterford but of course that isn't going to happen, its a vicious circle, enough money isn't being spent so gradually the service goes down so therefore as many people don't use it so the service goes down and fewer people use it and round and round it goes.

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

While IE are making cuts across the board the Government want certain rail lines open but don't want to pay for them you can't have it both ways.

i agree, but in fairness to one railway line people are making efforts to both improve it and get people using it, okay it doesn't seem to be working but good on the nenagh rail partnership for at least trying, even if their efforts don't pay off.

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

If WRC and BB-Limerick lines were closed that's probably around 6 million taken out of IE losses per year which is a lot. Not sure how much the Waterford-Limerick is loosing but losses will be down a lot this year and it is well used. If funding was their for automatic LC's then losses wouldn't be much.

i wouldn't like to see nenagh ballybroaphy go but i suppose at this stage its a given that it will be gone in the next few years, sad really as i do think theirs some (not a lot i suppose) of potential for the line if speeds were high and the train ran as a shuttle back and forth, however its to late now i guess, ennis athenry/a through galway limerick service might have had potential if
1. the line was built on a new routing and to a proper speed
2. if a new routing wasn't possible then no stations such as crauval (wrong spelling i'm sure) just limerick ennis athenry galway (maybe oranmore that is a mile from oranmore only in ireland) elimination of level crossings and manual signaling on waterford lj could have been easily done during the good times if IE were serious about it.