Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Major Damage to the Viaduct at Malahide

Options
  • 21-08-2009 7:58pm
    #1
    Eoineo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭


    I just heard from a fellow NCD resident. All rail commuter services beyond Malahide have been suspended until further notice.

    Does anybody have any idea what happened?


«1

Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Eoineo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭Eoineo


    Apologies I've managed to answer my question:

    http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0821/rail.html From the RTE website.

    It seems like rail commuters may have to make alternative arrangements for the next while. It must be a major job to repair.


  • Options
    #3
    SMK
    Closed Accounts Posts: 190 ✭✭SMK


    From Aertel


    "A section of the main Dublin to Belfast railway line has collapsed in Malahide in north Dublin.

    It happened this evening north of Malahide station on the viaduct across the estuary.

    Iarnród Éireann says initial indications are that subsidence caused an embankment to collapse and that the damage appears to be quite bad."


    I was on the 18.18 train from Tara Street and it terminated at Howth Junction. I suppose we'll have to wait at least until tomorrow before we know the full extent of how long the line will be closed for. Hopefully not long!!


  • Options
    #4
    Eoineo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭Eoineo


    Hard luck SMK. Have you arrived home yet?
    My other half went on a mercy mission into Connolly to collect some relatives who were stranded from the 18:40. I can't remember there being major damage to the viaduct at all in my lifetime.


  • Options
    #5
    SMK
    Closed Accounts Posts: 190 ✭✭SMK


    Wasn't too bad, my parents live in Raheny so just got DART back to there and a lift to Balbriggan! :)


  • Options
    #6
    Moonbeam
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,953 Mod ✭✭✭✭Moonbeam


    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0821/breaking66.htm


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    Dr Galen
    Registered Users Posts: 7,373 ✭✭✭Dr Galen


    if this is anyway serious I can see the trains being out of action for a while as I can't imagine it'd be easy to fix


  • Options
    #8
    Eoineo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭Eoineo


    It is extremely serious. RTE have just posted the first pictures on their website. It is highly unlikely that this will take even a matter of weeks to fix. Any rail users who crossed the viaduct today should be thanking their lucky stars. It is incredibly lucky that no train was crossing the viaduct at the time.


  • Options
    #9
    MercMad
    Registered Users Posts: 4,269 ✭✭✭MercMad


    I've just been there. One section of the 12 arches is dipped into the sea.

    Not a quick fix.I observed an extremely high tide here today, havent seen it that way in 15 years, though I reckon this damage has been caused by gradual erosion.

    Not a quick fix, I reckon months !

    Traffic on M1/N1 will be horrid !


  • Options
    #10
    tomcollins97
    Closed Accounts Posts: 951 ✭✭✭tomcollins97


    but what great news it would have been had a train go into the estury! No fatalities obviously, all saved by the might Gardai and coastguard :D


  • Options
    #11
    The Black Oil
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 18,206 CMod ✭✭✭✭The Black Oil


    Glad nobody was hurt. Looks like fairly bad damage indeed. Often wondered if there would be an incident at some point.

    Moderator: Television, Psychology and Dublin County North.

    CMod: Entertainment



  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #12
    Corb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 311 ✭✭Corb


    My God that could have been a lot worse!! Where exactly is it? Just a bit up after Malahide train station?


  • Options
    #13
    hoser expat
    Registered Users Posts: 181 ✭✭hoser expat


    I was on the 6:15 out of Pearse that got stopped at Howth Junction. unfortunately the damage looks bad, and I have no confidence in Irish Rail to either fix it properly and quickly, nor do I have confidence in them providing alternate service. Time will tell. Check back Monday rush hour.


  • Options
    #14
    Eoineo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭Eoineo


    From the short video piece on the RTE news this evening it appears to be just North of the boatyard beyond the marina in Malahide. Irish Rail have confirmed it's a 20m section.


  • Options
    #15
    Viscosity
    Closed Accounts Posts: 94 ✭✭Viscosity


    Eoineo wrote: »
    It is extremely serious. RTE have just posted the first pictures on their website. It is highly unlikely that this will take even a matter of weeks to fix. Any rail users who crossed the viaduct today should be thanking their lucky stars. It is incredibly lucky that no train was crossing the viaduct at the time.


    I travelled on the Enterpise today and arrived in Connolly at 18.15. Its quite possible that train could have been one of the last trains over that bridge.

    I've never been on that line before and I thought the view of the estuary was lovely so I had a good look at the bridge while the train was passing over it. There was a really strong flow of water going through it at the time.

    Very lucky.


  • Options
    #16
    stevenmartin99
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭stevenmartin99


    Heres my short term solution ... :)
    rail.jpg


  • Options
    #17
    hoser expat
    Registered Users Posts: 181 ✭✭hoser expat


    Viscosity wrote: »
    I travelled on the Enterpise today and arrived in Connolly at 18.15. Its quite possible that train could have been one of the last trains over that bridge.

    I've never been on that line before and I thought the view of the estuary was lovely so I had a good look at the bridge while the train was passing over it. There was a really strong flow of water going through it at the time.

    Very lucky.

    Yep, you likely were on one of the last trains to go over the causeway. Count your lucky stars.

    This will be a collosal f*ck up for commuters north of Malahide.


  • Options
    #18
    Clare Bear
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,613 ✭✭✭✭Clare Bear


    My apartment overlooks the estuary but I'm not in Malahide at the moment so I haven't seen the view yet. Will have to see when I get back on Monday. Very lucky escape, hope it doesn't take too long to fix, it's going to be a nightmare for a lot of people but have to be thankful it didn't turn out worse than it did.


  • Options
    #19
    dcr22B
    Registered Users Posts: 2,528 ✭✭✭dcr22B


    tomcollins97 wrote: »
    but what great news it would have been had a train go into the estury! No fatalities obviously, all saved by the might Gardai and coastguard :D
    Yeah because that's really funny, NOT! :mad:

    I'm counting my lucky stars tonight as myself and Mrs DCR were on the last northbound train (in separate carriages) to cross the Estuary at approximately 6pm. We've played a few scenarios over and over in our heads and to be honest, I'm actually a bit emotional about it. Could have been a nightmare!

    I watched the Nine O'Clock News in my parents' house and my Mum nearly broke down crying she was so relieved.

    Going to be an extremely sh1tty few weeks trying to get to work

    On the upside, fair play to the driver of the Pearse bound train. That man can sleep soundly knowing he averted a near catastrophe this evening.


  • Options
    #20
    The Hill Billy
    Registered Users Posts: 22,748 ✭✭✭✭The Hill Billy


    tomcollins97 wrote: »
    but what great news it would have been had a train go into the estury! No fatalities obviously, all saved by the might Gardai and coastguard :D
    Just because you put a smiley on it doesn't make it funny. Behave. HB


  • Options
    #21
    The Hill Billy
    Registered Users Posts: 22,748 ✭✭✭✭The Hill Billy


    Breaking news from independent.ie says that the line could be closed for 3 months!

    http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/rail-line-to-stay-closed-for-three-months-1867182.html
    The Indo wrote:
    Rail line to stay closed for three months

    Saturday August 22 2009

    Iarnrod Eireann has said rail passengers are facing three months of disruption to services on the main Dublin to Belfast line after part of it collapsed.

    A 20-metre section of the viaduct over the Malahide estuary collapsed into the water at about 6.30pm yesterday evening.

    The company has described the incident as being close to a "very serious tragedy" and a major investigation has been launched.

    Bus transfers are being arranged for passengers on the northern commuter lines.

    Iarnrod Eireann spokesperson Barry Kenny said the alternative arrangements will be finalised before people go back to work on Monday.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #22
    jimsugarman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5 ✭jimsugarman


    10,000 commuters!!!! The revolution will not be televised.


  • Options
    #23
    The Hill Billy
    Registered Users Posts: 22,748 ✭✭✭✭The Hill Billy


    Another discussion here in Commuting & Transport on this.


  • Options
    #24
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Hopefully the bridge will be back up and running in time for operation free flow!


  • Options
    #25
    Eoineo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭Eoineo


    Seriously Bluetonic? I expect the works to be ongoing until the New Year to be honest.

    They now say that they will put on an "enhanced" 33 service and encourage passengers to use DB & BE services. I doubt that they will be able to handle the extra capacity. I am aware of 2 private passenger operators in the area who are contracted to provide emergency services to CIE in the event of an emergency but I take it that they cannot justify using their services over a long period of time.


  • Options
    #26
    Gillo
    Registered Users Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭Gillo


    I presume the arrangements with Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus will make provisions to accept tickets?

    There's not a lot of information on the site at the moment- linky.


  • Options
    #27
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Eoineo wrote: »
    Seriously Bluetonic? I expect the works to be ongoing until the New Year to be honest.
    Based on what? They've said three months, why would they under estimate it?


  • Options
    #28
    Eoineo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭Eoineo


    Based on a strong dose of pessimism to be honest. I'd be delighted if they were completed by November but personally I doubt it. I find it hard to believe that they have managed to conduct a full assessment and figure out how long it will take to repair the fault in less than 24 hours.

    Yesterday they said it would be a good few weeks. Today it's 3 months. Tomorrow & Monday it will be?


  • Options
    #29
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Eoineo wrote: »
    Based on a strong dose of pessimism to be honest. I'd be delighted if they were completed by November but personally I doubt it. I find it hard to believe that they have managed to conduct a full assessment and figure out how long it will take to repair the fault in less than 24 hours.
    None of us have any idea we can only go on what we are being told.

    It's not difficult to contact a specialist company as ask for their advice on how long it takes to (a) repair, or (b) replace. There is no shortage of experts out there at the moment.


  • Options
    #30
    Gillo
    Registered Users Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭Gillo


    And in fairness to IR, any time in the past when there have been know disruptions I.R. generally are pretty good at managing them, don't get me wrong I'd prefer if there weren't any but for the moment why not wait and see what they put in place, unfortunately I have to work tomorrow so thats when the fun starts for me:D:D:D


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #31
    Auvers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,987 ✭✭✭Auvers


    update on Irish rail website and than fcuk it looks like they are going to use the port tunnel

    quote from http://irishrail.ie/news_centre/trav...ew&news_id=500

    "Iarnród Éireann are working with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to provide enhanced services on existing routes serving the communities affected. Dublin Bus will enhance the No 33 routes serving the Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush & Lusk and Donabate areas, including use of the Dublin Port Tunnel. Details of these services, and service arrangements for customers between Dundalk and Gormanstown, will be confirmed as soon as possible.

    In addition, a rail service will operate between Dundalk/Drogheda and Skerries.

    For the duration of the disruption, Belfast Enterprise services will operate with train services between Belfast and Drogheda, and with bus transfers between Drogheda and Connolly, with resulting delays.

    DART services between Malahide and Howth Junction are operating normally.

    Due to the severe damage to the viaduct, we regret to inform customers that the line across the estuary will not reopen for at least three months, with resulting disruption continuing.

    Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused."


Advertisement