Cork, boy

[dowlingm]

Originally Posted by comcor

Now, if Irish Rail had sense, they would replace them at the same time as the line gets closed for the relaying of Cobh Junction when the Midleton spur is reinstated.

Except the Cobh line has been closed several times in the last few years and they didn't do it then either. Sounds like someone's going to have to complain to the equality authority before IE get off their behinds.

[Gary]

Was also down in Cork, this time rambling along the old blackrock train line. The line has been nicely upgraded and covered in tarmac to allow walkers ramble along, personaly think this is a better alternative than to just being left grow wild. Sleepers have been removed years ago, no doubt by the same lucky bugger who got the harcourt street line contract.

Anyway haven't came across any plans to restore the line. Would appear to serve commuter areas from blackrock to Rochestown and runs via the new docklands area into the south city centre. Also takes in South Ring Road (Park n Ride opportunity) and pairc ui caoimhe.

So on paper seems a good route with only two bridges needing replacement work. Would appear to be able to take two tracks with some platforms still in place.

Anyone have more local knowledge?

[dowlingm]

Gary

the problem is that the Corpo as it then was committed to making the Passage West a walking route in the City Plan before LUAS was launched in Dublin and the folly of abandoning the Passage West alignment as a transitway unfolded (not least because of the designation of the south docklands as a growth area and Mahon Point at the other end).

[Gary]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

Gary

the problem is that the Corpo as it then was committed to making the Passage West a walking route in the City Plan before LUAS was launched in Dublin and the folly of abandoning the Passage West alignment as a transitway unfolded (not least because of the designation of the south docklands as a growth area and Mahon Point at the other end).

Wonder could they reverse their decision? Would make for a great luas or even dedicated tram bus route. Could even allow developement of the outskirts as it passes some green field sites. Although not sure if we're quiet ready for putting infrastructure first and development after!

[dowlingm]

Gary - might be reversible but the tony neighbourhoods in Blackrock might have something to say about it first, not to mention the pedestrian lobbyists who will want some form of replacement pathway.

[Gary]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

Gary - might be reversible but the tony neighbourhoods in Blackrock might have something to say about it first, not to mention the pedestrian lobbyists who will want some form of replacement pathway.

Cheers for the info, do you know when the train last ran? Where did it go from/ to, am guessing Passage West to Kent Station but that doesn't work with the water. Was it a single/ double track. Sorry just curiousity!

btw what's the "tony" neighbours? Cork slang?

[Colm Donoghue]

Anyone know when (if ever) the stations at Balarney and Kilbarry are to be built or opened?

I'm guessing the middleton line work doesn't include these but I doubt it'd be much harm getting them built for Mallow Cobh route.

[comcor]

Originally Posted by Gary

Cheers for the info, do you know when the train last ran? Where did it go from/ to, am guessing Passage West to Kent Station but that doesn't work with the water. Was it a single/ double track. Sorry just curiousity!

It was a narrow-gauge railway and was mostly single track.It closed in 1932 (although the Monkstown-Carrigaline-Crosshaven ection closed earlier). I'm not certain of the terminus, but I assume it was somewhere south of the river in the area of the terminus for the Cork, Bandon and South Coast and Cork and Macroom railways.

As regards the alignment. First thing to note is that one of the city's main sewers now runs under it, which weakens it somewhat. However, in terms of the pedestrian route, it runs in a deep cutting for most of the route between the Atlantic Pond and Mahon Point. Covering over a tramline to provide a pedestrian and cycling route above could hardly be too difficult.