Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

eastwest · 29-06-2017 11:52am

MayoForSam wrote: »

600 people showed up on Sunday in Tuam to demand action on a Greenway between Athenry, Tuam and Milltown. Excellent turn-out and it will have put the wind-up a few hard-nosed local county councillors. I was there and got my bumper sticker , plenty more were handed out too. Momentum is most definitely building, important vote in Galway CoCo scheduled for September.

http://www.tuamherald.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/06/28/4142302-greenway-trial-was-massive-boost-for-campaign/

Big spread of photos on the Herald this week, the kind of thing that Councillors don't like to see -- no politician wants to be seen running to catch up with a trend.
It is clear that many councillors have missed the depth of feeling on this issue; the groupthink mentality had them all agreeing with themselves that the WOT gospel was the only game in town. They got it very wrong, but I wonder how many of them are now looking for an honourable exit through which they can quietly climb on board the greenway juggernaut. My guess is that at least half a dozen of them will have seen the light in the coming weeks.
The game is over for the railway. The motorway will be open in October and the entire landscape will have changed. It is time for them to get behind the people, and get over their obsession.

westtip · 29-06-2017 2:03pm

WOT have a rally next week about the greenway

https://www.google.ie/search?q=father+ted+down+with+this+sort+of+thing+episode&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&imgil=MzH3xw1xxGEM5M%253A%253B33XfmUlMFCZchM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.youtube.com%25252Fwatch%25253Fv%2525253DgT9xuXQjxMM&source=iu&pf=m&fir=MzH3xw1xxGEM5M%253A%252C33XfmUlMFCZchM%252C_&usg=__QbkeGytQlcGwkxNWWSt_qb2gto4%3D&biw=1273&bih=563&ved=0ahUKEwja6ufjjuPUAhWQLVAKHfBpCAUQyjcIRA&ei=k_pUWZrVEZDbwALw06Eo#imgrc=MzH3xw1xxGEM5M:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT9xuXQjxMM

Del.Monte · 29-06-2017 3:02pm

It's far more serious than that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXMUv_cKtLM

eastwest · 06-07-2017 1:49pm

I notice that Ballyglunin Bridge has been chopped up for scrap.
Does wot still not get it?

mayo.mick · 06-07-2017 2:19pm

eastwest wrote: »

I notice that Ballyglunin Bridge has been chopped up for scrap.
Does wot still not get it?

Gerry Murry has been elected chairperson of the Claremorris municipal district, expect a major announcement soon...:P

http://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/news/40484-councillor-gerry-murray-elected-cathaoirleach-of-claremorris-municipal-district

eastwest · 06-07-2017 2:41pm

Gerry is a train promiser all right. Let's see what fantastic tale he comes up with!

06-07-2017 3:36pm

http://connachttribune.ie/end-era-bridge-ballyglunin-leaves-track/

http://connachttribune.ie/road-improvements-sound-death-knell-former-railway-bridge-200/

what_traffic · 06-07-2017 4:04pm

Deleted User wrote: »

http://connachttribune.ie/end-era-bridge-ballyglunin-leaves-track/

http://connachttribune.ie/road-improvements-sound-death-knell-former-railway-bridge-200/

Any idea what weight the bridge was?

06-07-2017 4:18pm

what_traffic wrote: »

Any idea what weight the bridge was?

No but the second article references that concrete slabs had already been broken up to lighten it and that a 220 tonne crane was used.

eastwest · 06-07-2017 5:53pm

Deleted User wrote: »

No but the second article references that concrete slabs had already been broken up to lighten it and that a 220 tonne crane was used.

It's a lot heavier than the footbridge that the greenway will need anyway, so we won't see a crane that size in Ballyglunin again, unless it's lost.

Muckyboots · 06-07-2017 7:23pm

eastwest wrote: »

It's a lot heavier than the footbridge that the greenway will need anyway, so we won't see a crane that size in Ballyglunin again, unless it's lost.

https://www.facebook.com/WestOnTrack/posts/1389826067763227
Great News! West on Track hail the replacement of a vital piece of rail infrastructure with a one page pencil drawing and a saggy council promise. Says it all. MIND THE GAP !

Del.Monte · 06-07-2017 7:54pm

Why has the bridge been removed or is it just CIE's usual scorched earth policy?

Muckyboots · 06-07-2017 8:48pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

Why has the bridge been removed or is it just CIE's usual scorched earth policy?

To facilitate N63 road widening, flood alleviation and upgrading to a link off the M17 motorway - just a couple of hundred yards away. Locals demanded it.

Stephen15 · 06-07-2017 8:58pm

It can be replaced if in the unlikely event the line the line is reopened or if a Greenway is built (more likely)

eastwest · 06-07-2017 11:39pm

If there was any plan anywhere in government or in Irish Rail to build a railway on the route, the bridge and the embankment would have been raised.
The reality is that we won't see trains on this route for decades, at best, and maybe never. It's about time that a few local spoofer politicians stopped pretending otherwise.

westtip · 06-07-2017 11:43pm

Muckyboots wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/WestOnTrack/posts/1389826067763227
Great News! West on Track hail the replacement of a vital piece of rail infrastructure with a one page pencil drawing and a saggy council promise. Says it all. MIND THE GAP !

Ah sure they have the drawings all they have to do now is get the entire European TEN-T Transport policy overturned......And they have the man to make a promise, this railway will be reviewed.....and a report will be produced to say it might happen....and we will stop the greenway come what may.

Grandeeod · 07-07-2017 2:46am

Meanwhile near Collooney the driveways and houses are still there, but since my last visit 10 years ago, the track has disappeared beneath the undergrowth. Its incredible to think a lobby are behind this sham and the bit that's a real problem for them keeps sinking into the ground.:D

But i still expect FF to get back into Government and spend a fortune on reopening to Tuam.:rolleyes:

Del.Monte · 07-07-2017 7:53am

Grandeeod wrote: »

Meanwhile near Collooney the driveways and houses are still there, but since my last visit 10 years ago, the track has disappeared beneath the undergrowth. Its incredible to think a lobby are behind this sham and the bit that's a real problem for them keeps sinking into the ground.:D

But i still expect FF to get back into Government and spend a fortune on reopening to Tuam.:rolleyes:

Claremorris please!

eastwest · 07-07-2017 7:55am

Grandeeod wrote: »

Meanwhile near Collooney the driveways and houses are still there, but since my last visit 10 years ago, the track has disappeared beneath the undergrowth. Its incredible to think a lobby are behind this sham and the bit that's a real problem for them keeps sinking into the ground.:D

But i still expect FF to get back into Government and spend a fortune on reopening to Tuam.:rolleyes:

It would be a brave (or very foolish) FF TD that would oppose the growing clamour for the greenway in Tuam. Isn't the local FF woman a greenway supporter?
There's no doubt that the current blocker TD is going to get hammered on this issue next time out.

eastwest · 07-07-2017 9:19am

Del.Monte wrote: »

Grandeeod wrote: »

Meanwhile near Collooney the driveways and houses are still there, but since my last visit 10 years ago, the track has disappeared beneath the undergrowth. Its incredible to think a lobby are behind this sham and the bit that's a real problem for them keeps sinking into the ground.:D

But i still expect FF to get back into Government and spend a fortune on reopening to Tuam.:rolleyes:

Claremorris please!

Good idea!
It's a pure hoor that people working in the fields around Claremorris have to set their pocket watches by their iPhones.
Bring back the thrane!

Muckyboots · 07-07-2017 10:37am

eastwest wrote: »

Del.Monte wrote: »

Grandeeod wrote: »

Meanwhile near Collooney the driveways and houses are still there, but since my last visit 10 years ago, the track has disappeared beneath the undergrowth. Its incredible to think a lobby are behind this sham and the bit that's a real problem for them keeps sinking into the ground.:D

But i still expect FF to get back into Government and spend a fortune on reopening to Tuam.:rolleyes:

Claremorris please!

Good idea!
It's a pure hoor that people working in the fields around Claremorris have to set their pocket watches by their iPhones.
Bring back the thrane!

It was the people of Ballyglunin & Abbeyknockmoy who spotted that they risked being bypassed with access to the motorway - after lobbying from WOT to retain their rusty symbolic crossing. Another battle they've lost. An engineer's drawing was their consolation prize and they've lapped it up. Any residue of support in the area for their hapless cause has eroded though.

westtip · 07-07-2017 1:00pm

Press release From: The Western Rail Trail campaign
July 7th 2017 for immediate release
• Western Rail Trail internet petitions hit over 2,000 signatures
• Supporters asked to make submissions on Greenway Strategy
• Greenway will create tourism jobs in Sligo, Mayo and Galway

A spokesman for the Western Rail Trail Campaign – a community-based group campaigning to preserve the alignment of the closed rail line from Athenry to Collooney by utilising the route for tourism and leisure as a greenway until such time as a railway may be possible, today said “In March of this year we launched an on-line petition on change.org to try and gauge public support for the idea of creating jobs in the tourism industry by placing a 125 km greenway on the closed railway from Athenry in Galway to Collooney in Sligo.

“We are pleased to announce this week the petition has gone past 2000 signatures in fact it now stands at over 2100 signatures.”

“It is always difficult to predict what will happen with an on-line petitions” said Brendan Quinn of the Western Rail Trail Campaign, “but the most encouraging thing about this one is that the majority of people signing it are from the three counties the Greenway will pass through – Sligo, Mayo and Galway. It is important to show local support to our politicians as it is in these three counties the jobs the greenway will help create will be located. The response to the petition clearly shows strong local support for the greenway proposal.
The immediate success of the new Waterford Greenway and the continuing success of the Great Western Greenway supports the view that this project will create new jobs. The campaign will continue to lobby council management, elected councillors and TDs throughout Sligo, Mayo and Galway to support the Western Rail Trail.

The campaign hopes the petition will also raise awareness of the Greenway initiative from the Department of Transport. The department has asked for public submissions on Greenway strategy to be submitted by July 14th. “We hope the overwhelming public support there is now for the 125 km Western Rail Trail from Athenry to Sligo will mean this tourism and job creating initiative will be adopted" said Quinn and “we urge people to make submissions to the Department in favour of this tourism initiative as part of the national greenway strategy.”

The greenway petition can be found at www.change.org under the title Create a walking and cycling greenway on the closed railway from Sligo to Athenry. Quinn said more signatures for the petition will be welcome to help add more pressure on the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport.

ENDS: body text 397 words
Contacts: Brendan Quinn 087 4198193 sligomayogreenwaycampaignemail brenquinn@eircom.net

eastwest · 07-07-2017 4:54pm

It doesn't matter how many submissions people make to the DTTAS, all it takes is one TD to decide that it doesn't suit his purposes to build a greenway, and it will be stopped. There won't be an alternative, but there doesn't need to be; as long as they stop the greenway, that's enough.

hytrogen · 07-07-2017 6:58pm

I really can't understand after all these years of hoedowns and rally's about the whole subject that we can't have both an operable trainline and a greenway alongside it, one feeding the other

marno21 · 07-07-2017 8:44pm

hytrogen wrote: »

I really can't understand after all these years of hoedowns and rally's about the whole subject that we can't have both an operable trainline and a greenway alongside it, one feeding the other

Because the railway isn't viable, and the notion that the railway is viable amongst a small group of lunatics is holding up the greenway.

The lack of any objection to the removal of the N63 railway bridge says enough here. The Taoiseach has also said in the past that the Ennis-Athenry section was completely unviable and the rest wouldn't reopen.

The current route of the 19th century railway is now shadowed by a 21st century, 120km/h motorway to do the ~35/40km journey from Tuam-Galway. Another massive nail in the coffin.

Del.Monte · 07-07-2017 9:42pm

marno21 wrote: »

Because the railway isn't viable, and the notion that the railway is viable amongst a small group of lunatics is holding up the greenway.

The lack of any objection to the removal of the N63 railway bridge says enough here. The Taoiseach has also said in the past that the Ennis-Athenry section was completely unviable and the rest wouldn't reopen.

The current route of the 19th century railway is now shadowed by a 21st century, 120km/h motorway to do the ~35/40km journey from Tuam-Galway. Another massive nail in the coffin.

The Dublin/Galway line isn't viable either should that be converted into a Greenway too?

Muckyboots · 07-07-2017 10:14pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

The Dublin/Galway line isn't viable either should that be converted into a Greenway too?

No. (No one ever said that)

An empty promise of a train rambling through rural Ireland and small provincial towns for the amusement of a few anoraks and the self indulgence of the anti-Dublin brigade of the mutual appreciation society for regional development forums and the expenses they proffer? Only a dirty dozen are wining. Surely you can see that by now.

Stephen15 · 07-07-2017 10:32pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

The Dublin/Galway line isn't viable either should that be converted into a Greenway too?

My suggestion for the Dublin to Galway would revert the trains back to Connolly via the disused Mullingar to Athone line which is now a greenway with the track still in place. Then I'd introduce Hueston to Athlone commuter services on the Portarlington line that way Newbridge/Kildare/Portlaoise services could all use the PPT for all service

08-07-2017 9:00am

You would need to massively improve the line north of Connelly and upgrade the station first as the current system would simply be completely overload.

eastwest · 08-07-2017 11:19am

marno21 wrote: »

Because the railway isn't viable, and the notion that the railway is viable amongst a small group of lunatics is holding up the greenway.

The lack of any objection to the removal of the N63 railway bridge says enough here. The Taoiseach has also said in the past that the Ennis-Athenry section was completely unviable and the rest wouldn't reopen.

The current route of the 19th century railway is now shadowed by a 21st century, 120km/h motorway to do the ~35/40km journey from Tuam-Galway. Another massive nail in the coffin.

That's logic, but how will logic get a few politicians elected when they have little to offer except vague promises of trains?
'They have the DART and the LUAS in Dublin, so we have to get a train in Tuam' might sound daft to sensible people, but it is worth a few votes every time.

Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

Comments