Limerick - Nenagh - Ballybrophy railway

CrowdedHouse

Deedsie wrote: »

Yes. Gonna be on it Friday and Saturday next week. Will try get some pictures etc

As it happens I have to drop a watch to an official dealer for repairs, might take the train for the novelty.

Deedsie

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

As it happens I have to drop a watch to an official dealer for repairs, might take the train for the novelty.

Fair play. Gonna take the kids to knocknacree woods outside Cloughjordan on Saturday. €6 return for the 3 of us :-) have a lift waiting for us in Cloughjordan as the woods are a bit of a trek from the station.

Going into Limerick Friday morning. But because there is no middle of the day service ill have to get a lift home early.

Gonna try use it as often as I can going forward but I work from home and will do for the foreseeable future so wont be able as often as I would like.

Just in case you didnt see our petition it would be great if you could sign it and send to anyone else you think might be interested.

https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/upgrade-and-invest-in-the-limerick-nenagh-ballybrophy-railway-line?source=twitter-share-button&utm_medium=myuplift&utm_source=twitter&share=793e2dea-1e56-4ab2-8e14-b2443ec0d8b8

tabbey

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Is it really only €2.99 each way from Roscrea to Limerick?

The 6 Euro return offer around Limerick has been around for years.
A few years ago, I was able to travel Roscrea to Limerick and continue to Ennis and back to Roscrea, for the day return fare of 6 Euro.
Don't know if this still is allowed, but no harm in asking.

The_Wanderer

A test train is operating over the branch this evening in advance of passenger services resuming tomorrow.

The_Wanderer

The_Wanderer wrote: »

A test train is operating over the branch this evening in advance of passenger services resuming tomorrow.

2803 + 2804 worked it passing Nenagh on time at 2030 on the way to Limerick.

Will post a picture tomorrow.

Deedsie

Just taking a look at the live map on the Irish Rail website. There is no real time information for either Castleconnell or Roscrea stations.

The_Wanderer

Deedsie wrote: »

Just taking a look at the live map on the Irish Rail website. There is no real time information for either Castleconnell or Roscrea stations.

Realtime information is not available on several lines. The information will return the scheduled public timetable. I understand an upgrade of the system is in the works which will allow information on all routes to be displayed.

Deedsie

The_Wanderer wrote: »

Realtime information is not available on several lines. The information will return the scheduled public timetable. I understand an upgrade of the system is in the works which will allow information on all routes to be displayed.

That will be great whenever it comes online.

Any chance they would ever rollout ticket vending machines to the stations on this line? I booked tickets this morning and its just unnecessarily awkward. Picking up your tickets at the destination station is not good enough especially when some stations including the five stations on this line dont have ticket machines.

It seems amateurish. It cant be that hard to install and maintain 5 ticket vending machines.

Particularly in times of covid, i dont want to have to be explaining this to a ticket inspector etc possibly having to show them my booking information on my phone etc

The_Wanderer

Deedsie wrote: »

That will be great whenever it comes online.

Any chance they would ever rollout ticket vending machines to the stations on this line? I booked tickets this morning and its just unnecessarily awkward. Picking up your tickets at the destination station is not good enough especially when some stations including the five stations on this line dont have ticket machines.

It seems amateurish. It cant be that hard to install and maintain 5 ticket vending machines.

Particularly in times of covid, i dont want to have to be explaining this to a ticket inspector etc possibly having to show them my booking information on my phone etc

I would assume eventually yes. The ticket checkers on the route are well aware of the setup. Just make sure you have the booking confirmation with you and that will be fine.

When travelling to stations beyond Ballybrophy, the procedure generally is that the ticket checker will take the number of the ticket collection reference from the passengers. Forward these details to Ballybrophy who will then print the tickets off for the customer and these are available for collection from the staff member at the station (they generally meet the customers on the platform). Not ideal but it works with what we have.

nigra

Its great to see the line up and running again, but good God with such a bonkers timetable its predictably going to struggle with numbers.
Best of luck with the petition @Deedsie, signed it for what its worth.

One quick query, how many (if any) bicycles can the train accomodate?

Deedsie

The_Wanderer wrote: »

I would assume eventually yes. The ticket checkers on the route are well aware of the setup. Just make sure you have the booking confirmation with you and that will be fine.

When travelling to stations beyond Ballybrophy, the procedure generally is that the ticket checker will take the number of the ticket collection reference from the passengers. Forward these details to Ballybrophy who will then print the tickets off for the customer and these are available for collection from the staff member at the station (they generally meet the customers on the platform). Not ideal but it works with what we have.

Ya, I am sure the staff will be as helpful as possible. I wouldnt expect anything else. Its just another example of the issues with this line. Its the opposite of convenient and straightforward.

Hard to not be cynical that it is intentionally done like this to turn people off using the service.

Frustrating. Dont want to be overly negative, its great to see the service back up and running through the pictures you posted.

Deedsie

nigra wrote: »

Its great to see the line up and running again, but good God with such a bonkers timetable its predictably going to struggle with numbers.
Best of luck with the petition @Deedsie, signed it for what its worth.

One quick query, how many (if any) bicycles can the train accomodate?

Hi Nigra, thanks for the support. Please consider sharing the petition with any one or any groups you think might also be interested in signing it. 500 signatures was my initial target but we surpassed that overnight.

Hoping for 1000 signatures now. That would be way beyond my initial expectations.

I agree, great to see the service back up and running.

I cant say how many bicycles it would take. I have taken a bicycle on it a few times myself traveling down from Dublin.

There was a good bit of room. 4 or 5 maybe but I am guessing at that. Could be room for more or less.

The_Wanderer

Deedsie wrote: »

Hi Nigra, thanks for the support. Please consider sharing the petition with any one or any groups you think might also be interested in signing it. 500 signatures was my initial target but we surpassed that overnight.

Hoping for 1000 signatures now. That would be way beyond my initial expectations.

I agree, great to see the service back up and running.

I cant say how many bicycles it would take. I have taken a bicycle on it a few times myself traveling down from Dublin.

There was a good bit of room. 4 or 5 maybe but I am guessing at that. Could be room for more or less.

Bicycle accommodation is limited to 2 bikes on the 22000 fleet (used on some services between Ballybrophy and Heuston). The MKIV fleet used on the Heuston - Cork has plenty of room in the Generator Control vehicle located at the Heuston end of the train which has a luggage area.

A few bikes can be accommodated on the 2800 fleet used on the Nenagh Branch. There is no dedicated bike space on these trains, indeed for many years the carriage of bikes was barred from the 2600 / 2700 / 2800 and 29000 fleets + the EMU fleets used on the DART.

Deedsie

The_Wanderer wrote: »

Bicycle accommodation is limited to 2 bikes on the 22000 fleet (used on some services between Ballybrophy and Heuston. The MKIV fleet used on the Heuston - Cork has plenty of room in the Generator Control vehicle located at the Heuston end of the train which has a luggage area.

A few bikes can be accommodated on the 2800 fleet used on the Nenagh Branch. There is no dedicated bike space on these trains, indeed for many years the carriage of bikes was barred from the 2600 / 2700 / 2800 and 29000 fleets + the EMU fleets used on the DART.

Limited to 2 bikes is surprising. I leaned my bike against the wall near the door and sat beside it just in case it might fall over etc.

The_Wanderer

Deedsie wrote: »

Limited to 2 bikes is surprising. I leaned my bike against the wall near the door and sat beside it just in case it might fall over etc.

There is a dedicated space for bikes on 22000's in the A3 vehicle (223xx).
https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2009-photos/January-2009/i-7LQ2jhD

Deedsie

The_Wanderer wrote: »

There is a dedicated space for bikes on 22000's in the A3 vehicle (223xx).
https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2009-photos/January-2009/i-7LQ2jhD

Ive used that on the Dublin - Waterford line. I travelled down on the train from Dublin and cycled along the greenway to Dungarvan just after it opened.

Was very impressed with the bike rack within the carriage.

I actually had a picture of my bike in the rack I took on the day. It was in May 2017.

Deedsie

Article today from Tipperary live on the reopening of the line today. Some details of further works being carried out in July.

Someone here might be able tell us what these works include in more detail than the article?

https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/news/642946/tipperary-train-users-back-on-track-as-ballybrophy-line-reopens.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Tipperary train users were given a boost this Monday when services resumed on the Ballybrophy to Limerick line.

The line, which serves Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan and Roscrea, had been closed since January due to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions and while Irish Rail carried out works.

Irish Rail said they welcomed customers back to the service, but reminded passengers that under current guidelines, public transport is operating at 50% of on-board capacity and they asked that people not sit on seats marked as unavailable.

Customers must book travel in advance at www.irishrail.ie for this route, and all Intercity services; face coverings are mandatory on public transport under government health measures; hand sanitiser units are in all stations, and enhanced cleaning of trains – with a focus on customer touch points – is continuing.

Among the works carried out were five miles of track renewal; extensive fibre cable works across the route, and bridge works at Ballycahill Bridge (UBN59) south of the M7 near Nenagh.

The company said that customers should note that from Saturday, July 3, to 5pm on Monday, July 5, further works will take place to renew track connecting to the yard at Roscrea station.

These works are taking place separately due to the requirement for specialised centrally resourced signalling teams. This will result in bus transfers on these three days.

Services will resume for evening services of July 5.

The_Wanderer

Deedsie wrote: »

Article today from Tipperary live on the reopening of the line today. Some details of further works being carried out in July.

Someone here might be able tell us what these works include in more detail than the article?

https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/news/642946/tipperary-train-users-back-on-track-as-ballybrophy-line-reopens.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Seems a detailed enough article to me. Renewing the turnout to the siding at Roscrea.

Deedsie

The_Wanderer wrote: »

Seems a detailed enough article to me. Renewing the turnout to the siding at Roscrea.

I was jusymt wonderinhmg if it meant they were going to upgrade the signalling. The fact they were bringing a specialised signalling team in to oversee the works. Thought it might mean that was happening too.

"Extensive fibre cable works across tbe route" i am still curious as to what this means for the line. What are the potential benefits of having this cabling work done etc

The_Wanderer

Deedsie wrote: »

I was jusymt wonderinhmg if it meant they were going to upgrade the signalling. The fact they were bringing a specialised signalling team in to oversee the works. Thought it might mean that was happening too.

"Extensive fibre cable works across tbe route" i am still curious as to what this means for the line. What are the potential benefits of having this cabling work done etc

Laying in new points / crossovers etc requires signalling works as well. Disconnect, reconnect, test it, make sure it all works as it should.

Fibre Optic works would allow in the future an upgraded signalling system, Ticket Vending Machines etc, real time information display boards. Basically modern comms to replace the old copper cables, a lot of which was stolen a few years ago. For the time being the F.O. stuff is carrying the existing signalling communications between the signal cabins.

Deedsie

The_Wanderer wrote: »

Laying in new points / crossovers etc requires signalling works as well. Disconnect, reconnect, test it, make sure it all works as it should.

Fibre Optic works would allow in the future an upgraded signalling system, Ticket Vending Machines etc, real time information display boards. Basically modern comms to replace the old copper cables, a lot of which was stolen a few years ago. For the time being the F.O. stuff is carrying the existing signalling communications between the signal cabins.

That is exactly what I was hoping the laying of fibre cable would mean.

Hopefully in the near future more money will become available to upgrade all of those things you mentioned. Great to have the ground fibre cabling works done already.

They would hardly do that if they were not planning on using it down the line. I am sure its all ready being used for the current signalling and comms.

esposito

I personally don't want the existing signalling to be replaced (and I don't think it will anytime soon) - It is adequate for a lightly used line. The recent track upgrades are the main thing, hopefully allowing for less speed restrictions going forward.

Deedsie

esposito wrote: »

I personally don't want the existing signalling to be replaced (and I don't think it will anytime soon) - It is adequate for a lightly used line. The recent track upgrades are the main thing, hopefully allowing for less speed restrictions going forward.

Ya thats fair enough. Someone on this thread mentioned that the old signalling was one of the reasons the speed limits on the line were so restrictive. Ill try find the quote later.

I guess I just want this service brought into line with the rest of the network. Prerty sure someone also said it is the only line on the network still using semiphore signalling.

But I agree with your point, if money became available it would be better spent relaying the final 20% of old jointed track with CWR.

Or closing agricultural/domestic crossings or upgrading the user operated crossings on public roads etc

The_Wanderer

Deedsie wrote: »

Ya thats fair enough. Someone on this thread mentioned that the old signalling was one of the reasons the speed limits on the line were so restrictive. Ill try find the quote later.

I guess I just want this service brought into line with the rest of the network. Prerty sure someone also said it is the only line on the network still using semiphore signalling.

But I agree with your point, if money became available it would be better spent relaying the final 20% of old jointed track with CWR.

Or closing agricultural/domestic crossings or upgrading the user operated crossings on public roads etc

The South Tipperary Line is also signalled under Electric Train Staff (ETS) regulations.

Deedsie

The_Wanderer wrote: »

The South Tipperary Line is also signalled under Electric Train Staff (ETS) regulations.

Maybe that was the comment that only the train lines in Tipperary are the only ones on the network still usung semiphore signalling.

seekers

I think the biggest problem is the level crossings. on the line from ennis to Gort a new level crossing was fitted for a farm crossing due to the motorway. there is a speed restriction coming up to that crossing

Deedsie

seekers wrote: »

I think the biggest problem is the level crossings. on the line from ennis to Gort a new level crossing was fitted for a farm crossing due to the motorway. there is a speed restriction coming up to that crossing

Irish Rail tweeted this on Sunday. It would be great if they do receive the funding they are looking for but I wouldnt hold my breath.

https://twitter.com/IrishRail/status/1406166500055162880?s=19



We have a campaign petition going at the moment. Be great to get your support and if you could share it onto anyone else you think might be interested.

https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/upgrade-and-invest-in-the-limerick-nenagh-ballybrophy-railway-line?source=twitter-share-button&utm_medium=myuplift&utm_source=twitter&share=793e2dea-1e56-4ab2-8e14-b2443ec0d8b8

loyatemu

seekers wrote: »

I think the biggest problem is the level crossings. on the line from ennis to Gort a new level crossing was fitted for a farm crossing due to the motorway. there is a speed restriction coming up to that crossing

that's a farcical situation, build a motorway and simultaneously make the rail journey slower. Funding from the motorway project should have paid for an over/under pass on the rail line.

tabbey

[quote="Deedsie;117489810"[someone also said it is the only line on the network still using semiphore signalling.
[/quote]

Also the Limerick Junction to Waterford line.

In Britain there are plenty of places with semaphore signals. The North Wales mainline has recently (or is about to be) had signalling updated. But the plan was for signals at the Holyhead end to remain semaphore for the foreseeable future.

bk

Deedsie wrote: »

"Extensive fibre cable works across tbe route" i am still curious as to what this means for the line. What are the potential benefits of having this cabling work done etc

Most of Irish Rails network has fibre optic cable run along it. While it can be used for signalling, etc. the primary reason is actually to resell capacity on the fibre cables to the Telecom companies and big business like data centers, etc.

This fibre network actually makes up the major core of Ireland's fibre network.

Enet resells this fibre network:
https://www.enet.ie/core-backhaul-fibre.html

Bord Gais, ESB and Irish Waterways all have similar core networks, along with the likes of Eir, Virgin and BT Ireland.

Basically if you own a lot of land throughout the country and are digging a hole, it is well worth throwing fibre in it at the same time.