Rail Users Ireland Forum

Go Back   Rail Users Ireland Forum > Irish Rail Customer Service Issues > Intercity and Regional > Dublin Mayo
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Unread 15-04-2015, 14:22   #1
joey
Regular Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Coach A
Posts: 188
Default Claremorris

Claremorris to Athenry re-open?
joey is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 15-04-2015, 14:39   #2
Mark Gleeson
Technical Officer
 
Mark Gleeson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
Posts: 12,669
Default

Well, it never closed...

Not connected at Athenry anyway
Mark Gleeson is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 19-04-2015, 13:40   #3
Colm Moore
Local Liaison Officer
 
Colm Moore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,442
Default

I understand there is a suggestion that there may be a freight flow from Claremorris. However, as that would likely be going to a port on the east or south coast, there is not need to spend money on Claremorris-Athenry.

In addition, there is the matter of the structural condition of the railway: http://www.tuamherald.ie/news/roundu...-rail-at-risk/
__________________
Colm Moore is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 20-04-2015, 06:34   #4
Inniskeen
Really Regular Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 951
Default

Well the only reason you might want to go via Athenry is that it would be the shortest route to Waterford and apart from the section from Ennis to Limerick no part of the route is operating anywhere near to capacity.

Interestingly there is also activity between Limeick and Foynes with a reasonable prospect of that line being returned to service.
Inniskeen is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 20-04-2015, 06:52   #5
Mark Gleeson
Technical Officer
 
Mark Gleeson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
Posts: 12,669
Default

The difference is marginal at best. Why reopen a line at great expense when you can use the existing line which has 24 hour availability 363 days a year. Its cheaper and more efficient to do so.
Mark Gleeson is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 20-04-2015, 17:34   #6
Inniskeen
Really Regular Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 951
Default

There are various positives that would roll out of re-opening Athenry to Claremorris including reduced mileage for several freight flows, more efficient use of crews and rolling stock, capacity for further expansion, strenthening of the economics of the existing WRC and the establishment of Tuam to Galway passenger services.

While I appreciate some would dismiss such benefits and oppose railway development much beyond the GDA there is a degree of logic to the proposal nevertheless.
Inniskeen is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 21-04-2015, 09:54   #7
Jamie2k9
Really Really Regluar Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,146
Default

This "freight hub" is from West on Track....there is no substance to the idea as who would want to send freight to Claremorris when there is Ballina for the NW already.

Quote:
There are various positives that would roll out of re-opening Athenry to Claremorris including reduced mileage for several freight flows, more efficient use of crews and rolling stock, capacity for further expansion, strenthening of the economics of the existing WRC and the establishment of Tuam to Galway passenger services.

While I appreciate some would dismiss such benefits and oppose railway development much beyond the GDA there is a degree of logic to the proposal nevertheless
Shortest route but most costly with the amount of staffing required to operate LC between Limerick-Waterford. As for economics you are just transferring them from Waterford to WRC so nobody really benefits besides the political circle who can boast about what a good decision it was to reopen the WRC.

You are aware Tuam is getting a motorway in 2 years with speeds of 70mph, something the train line or rolling stock on such a route will never have.

I don't think people oppose development outside Dublin but most would prefer to see full investment in current IC lines to increase speeds to acceptable levels. The estimated cost of 30 million to reopen a line would be put to better use dealing with Portarlington and Athlone section of line to benefit passengers and freight. Really poor journey times because of single line.
Jamie2k9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 20-05-2015, 14:25   #8
joey
Regular Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Coach A
Posts: 188
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie2k9 View Post

You are aware Tuam is getting a motorway in 2 years with speeds of 70mph, something the train line or rolling stock on such a route will never have.
Not sure road freight can travel at 70mph
joey is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 27-05-2015, 19:51   #9
Colm Moore
Local Liaison Officer
 
Colm Moore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,442
Default

Goods vehicles are limited to 80km/h on roads. Certain goods vehicles are allowed 90km/h on motorways.

However, speed limits aren't a particularly strong determinant of journey time - congestion, train schedules, etc. are much more important.

I can't see many rail freight flows of time-sensitive goods.
__________________
Colm Moore is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 29-05-2015, 15:32   #10
dowlingm
Really Really Regluar Poster
 
dowlingm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,371
Default

201s are banned (except emergencies) east of Limerick Junction so that complicates power planning but may also limit axle weights on the wagons, presumably related to Cahir bridge? A 201-071 swap in Limerick yard during the necessary reversal there might solve the power limit.

Realistically this only starts looking economical if increasing track capacity Athlone-Portarlington-Kildare is deemed both necessary and expensive (Tullamore), and the option to push North Wall trains via a reopened Athlone-Mullingar line isn't higher up the cost benefit list (or precluded by a trail which I understand is on the cards)
dowlingm is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 29-05-2015, 17:24   #11
Inniskeen
Really Regular Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 951
Default

The bicycle trail between Mullingar and Athlone is well advanced allhough the track remains largely in situ.

The line between Limerick Junction and Waterford is open from around 0700 to 2100 Mondays to Saturdays and no extra staff costs arise routing traffic over it.

201s remain restricted on the route due to the somewhat fragile bridge at Dunkitt, just outside Waterford.

Maximum speed on the Athenry/Ennis section of the WRC is 80 mph, which is achieved by ICRs.
Inniskeen is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:23.


Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.