Limerick - Dublin via Nenagh line
 

Have trains ever run direct from Limerick via this line before connect to the main line at Ballybrophy and continuing on from there? GAA Specials or anything? I know the trace connects the wrong way at Ballybrophy and the train would have reverse the engine or driver in the new DMU's. I wonder what would the journey times be like if there was a direct train and was there one before?

Dublin Limerick services until the mid 1970's tended to be direct via Nenagh, the route is 3 miles shorter.

In recent years a number of trains have operated direct due to engineering works elsewhere

Given the routes poor condition it would take 45-60 minutes more than the route via Limerick Junction

A year or so (maybe longer!) ago due to some works just north of Limerick Junction they ran 3x22000 to Ballybrophy via the Nenagh branch to connect with the Thurles train there.

Is the population density high enough to justify the line been brought up to Intercity standard

given the economic situation it's likely that route is on the IE hitlist along with the already named Rosslare-Waterford. The comparison between bus times and rail times on the route which essentially runs parallel unlike Limerick-Galway is embarrassing. No more shale freight to prop up the numbers either.