[article] Turf War Over Broadstone

a_slight_hitch · 24-06-2007, 11:27

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...ck-742677.html

City station to get back on track
IT'S been 70 years since the last passenger emerged from the platform at Broadstone in north Dublin city - but the famous old station is set to make a comeback.

When the last passenger steam trains rolled into Broadstone, Sean T O'Kelly was topping the poll in Dublin North West in the election for the ninth Dail.

With the 30th Dail just voted in, Irish Rail chiefs have identified the defunct station as having a key role in meeting rapidly expanding commuter demand.

The €35m plan will provide capacity for services on the Navan commuter line, which is to be reopened.

Rapid growth in demand on commuter routes - up by close to 20 per cent on some lines over last year's record figures - combined with population increases expected over the coming 10-15 years have convinced rail bosses of the need to maximise city centre capacity for rail services.

Iarnrod Eireann point to the success of the new Docklands station, open less than three months and already outstripping projected demand with over 1,000 morning peak commuters arriving daily.

Broadstone Station was a victim of increased road transport - and at midnight on January 16, 1937, the night mail from Westport was the last passenger train to arrive.

It was built in the neo-Egyptian style, and in his book Dublin 1660-1860, architectural historian Maurice Craig gives a somewhat overblown commentary on the famous landmark.

"The Broadstone Station is the last building in Dublin to partake of the sublime. Its lonely grandeur is emphasised now by its disuse as a terminus, and the melancholy quarter of high-and-dry hotels beside it.

"It stands on rising ground, and the traveller who sees it for the first time, so unexpected in its massive amplitude, feels a little as he might if he were to stumble unawares upon the monstrous silences of Karnak or Luxor."

The rather grand old station is a protected building. Bus Eireann will keep on using the old building, while a new rail facility is to be built at the rear of the site by 2010.

New track will be laid between Broadstone Station and Liffey Junction to connect with the Maynooth line.

Mark Gleeson · 24-06-2007, 17:20

The article above was accompanied by a photo of a very happy looking Erica Roseingrave of Bus Eireann inside the former Broadstone shed. Irish Rail clearly calling in the support of there budies in Bus Eireann

Thomas J Stamp · 25-06-2007, 09:28

So the compromise will be LUAS to Broadstone then Train onwards, just like Heuston?

amazing that it takes the existance of the RPA to get IE to do something isnt it?

Mark Hennessy · 25-06-2007, 09:48

Quote:

So the compromise will be LUAS to Broadstone then Train onwards, just like Heuston?

Are we the only country to funnel high capacity heavy rail into low capacity light rail rather than vice versa?

Where will this leave the Luas to Liffey junction?

Mark Gleeson · 25-06-2007, 10:08

Facts of the matter are

1. Luas would carry more people and offer a higher catchment, more frequent services etc

2. Luas would serve DIT campus, IE would not that is the main reason for objection

3. Luas is to go to Finglas post T21, secondary reason for objection

4. There is no shortage of platform space either now, in 2012 or after the interconnector

5. The Luas connection at Liffey Junction would serve all trains on the Maynooth/Pace/Longford/Navan line where as Broadstone would only serve the invisable trains IE are proposing to run

Mark Hennessy · 25-06-2007, 10:21

I'd agree with that assessment Mark, the IE "service" to Broadstone wont matter a jot to encouraging local trips along the lines catchment area.

Even looking at a map of Dublin with all the tram lines 100 years ago, Broadstone and the area around it was always isolated from other transport.

This is a battle I hope the RPA win.

25-06-2007, 09:28	#3
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	So the compromise will be LUAS to Broadstone then Train onwards, just like Heuston? amazing that it takes the existance of the RPA to get IE to do something isnt it? __________________ We are the passengers

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24-06-2007, 11:27	#1
a_slight_hitch Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 10	http://www.independent.ie/national-n...ck-742677.html City station to get back on track IT'S been 70 years since the last passenger emerged from the platform at Broadstone in north Dublin city - but the famous old station is set to make a comeback. When the last passenger steam trains rolled into Broadstone, Sean T O'Kelly was topping the poll in Dublin North West in the election for the ninth Dail. With the 30th Dail just voted in, Irish Rail chiefs have identified the defunct station as having a key role in meeting rapidly expanding commuter demand. The €35m plan will provide capacity for services on the Navan commuter line, which is to be reopened. Rapid growth in demand on commuter routes - up by close to 20 per cent on some lines over last year's record figures - combined with population increases expected over the coming 10-15 years have convinced rail bosses of the need to maximise city centre capacity for rail services. Iarnrod Eireann point to the success of the new Docklands station, open less than three months and already outstripping projected demand with over 1,000 morning peak commuters arriving daily. Broadstone Station was a victim of increased road transport - and at midnight on January 16, 1937, the night mail from Westport was the last passenger train to arrive. It was built in the neo-Egyptian style, and in his book Dublin 1660-1860, architectural historian Maurice Craig gives a somewhat overblown commentary on the famous landmark. "The Broadstone Station is the last building in Dublin to partake of the sublime. Its lonely grandeur is emphasised now by its disuse as a terminus, and the melancholy quarter of high-and-dry hotels beside it. "It stands on rising ground, and the traveller who sees it for the first time, so unexpected in its massive amplitude, feels a little as he might if he were to stumble unawares upon the monstrous silences of Karnak or Luxor." The rather grand old station is a protected building. Bus Eireann will keep on using the old building, while a new rail facility is to be built at the rear of the site by 2010. New track will be laid between Broadstone Station and Liffey Junction to connect with the Maynooth line.

24-06-2007, 17:20	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The article above was accompanied by a photo of a very happy looking Erica Roseingrave of Bus Eireann inside the former Broadstone shed. Irish Rail clearly calling in the support of there budies in Bus Eireann

25-06-2007, 10:08	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Facts of the matter are 1. Luas would carry more people and offer a higher catchment, more frequent services etc 2. Luas would serve DIT campus, IE would not that is the main reason for objection 3. Luas is to go to Finglas post T21, secondary reason for objection 4. There is no shortage of platform space either now, in 2012 or after the interconnector 5. The Luas connection at Liffey Junction would serve all trains on the Maynooth/Pace/Longford/Navan line where as Broadstone would only serve the invisable trains IE are proposing to run

25-06-2007, 10:21	#6
Mark Hennessy Membership Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Maynooth Posts: 1,116	I'd agree with that assessment Mark, the IE "service" to Broadstone wont matter a jot to encouraging local trips along the lines catchment area. Even looking at a map of Dublin with all the tram lines 100 years ago, Broadstone and the area around it was always isolated from other transport. This is a battle I hope the RPA win.