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New cycle track Mullingar to Athlone

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    #32
    Mearings
    Registered Users Posts: 557 ✭✭✭Mearings


    During World War 1 this line was important for troop movement to & from Athlone. Troop trains ran in both directions throughout the night.


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    #33
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    During World War II it was an important route for bringing turf from the West to keep the Dubs warm. Old carriages with the roofs cut off were used.


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    #34
    nice_guy80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,723 ✭✭✭nice_guy80


    So what is needed to reopen the line is another World War?


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    #35
    Rotunda Shill
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 212 ✭✭Rotunda Shill


    metrovick001 wrote: »
    Only because its not be run correctly.

    A case of a case of Motorway kill the Railway.


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    #36
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    Rotunda Shill wrote: »
    A case of a case of Motorway kill the Railway.
    its not. the motor way hasn't killed the railway. irish rail will unless we act. many countries have motor ways and railways. difference is . most countries invest in their railways, even marginal ones. in ireland, we use it as a political tool, irish rail management use the running down of lines as a stick to keep a minister happy for a bit until they come back looking for more cost reductions which drive away passengers. its about time ireland realized we can't simply depend on the motor ways only. we need both methods to ensure where public transport is concerned there is a method to suit as many as possible.

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #37
    nice_guy80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,723 ✭✭✭nice_guy80


    the lifeblood of railways in most countries is the freight

    irish railways carry very little freight as it was shifted onto lorries years ago as they are cheaper to run and get to every town and village in the country


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    #38
    pointer28
    Registered Users Posts: 1,354 ✭✭✭pointer28


    Are we getting de-railed from the whole point of the thread here?

    Maybe discussion on re-opening rail lines would be better the in the Railway forum.

    What's important is that there is a fantastic facility being provided which will eventually link Dublin to Galway via a greenway system. The Greenways in the West have been a huge success and brought an economic boost to the surrounding areas. All these people who will eventually use to cross the country where on bike or foot will need somewhere to sleep, eat etc and even those only out for a daily walk will still want a sandwich or a cup of tea now and again.

    Added to that, I've been using the canal paths for my daily work commute for years and the new Greenway will now open up a safe commute option for lots more people working in Mullingar, Athlone or places in between taking more cars off the road, reducing emissions and also helping to improve the obesity epidemic in this country.

    They are also working closer to Mullingar town as well, I'd imagine they have a couple of crews working in different spots.

    Overall, I think this is one of the best investments the Council could have made, and I can't wait until it's finished.


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    #39
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    the lifeblood of railways in most countries is the freight

    it isn't. apart from america and possibly australia. its a major part of other railways.
    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    irish railways carry very little freight as it was shifted onto lorries years ago as they are cheaper to run and get to every town and village in the country

    no . it wasn't because lorries are cheeper to run which they aren't ultimately. it was politics and irish rails insistance in letting what custom they had go. ultimately, lorries aren't cheeper to run. when you factor in the costs including infrastructure, lorries are a way more expensive form of transport then rail. but politically one couldn't come out and admit that as we'l have the road hauliers association extremists planning an overthrow of the state. difference is they have the benefit of sharing the costs with other users and don't pay their way in full. the railway has to fund its own infrastructure, and the client who wishes to transport freight by rail is expected to pay the full cost of maintenence of the line. remove that burdin, make the lorries pay their way and then we'l talk. any of the freight transported by rail was stuff that frankly could and should still be. lorries can do the rest that wasn't transported by rail as it was to small. this means road maintenence costs coming down due to less ware and tare from trucks. but maybe as said, its something for another thread

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #40
    nice_guy80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,723 ✭✭✭nice_guy80


    end of the road wrote: »
    it isn't. apart from america and possibly australia. its a major part of other railways.



    no . it wasn't because lorries are cheeper to run which they aren't ultimately. it was politics and irish rails insistance in letting what custom they had go. ultimately, lorries aren't cheeper to run. when you factor in the costs including infrastructure, lorries are a way more expensive form of transport then rail. but politically one couldn't come out and admit that as we'l have the road hauliers association extremists planning an overthrow of the state. difference is they have the benefit of sharing the costs with other users and don't pay their way in full. the railway has to fund its own infrastructure, and the client who wishes to transport freight by rail is expected to pay the full cost of maintenence of the line. remove that burdin, make the lorries pay their way and then we'l talk. any of the freight transported by rail was stuff that frankly could and should still be. lorries can do the rest that wasn't transported by rail as it was to small. this means road maintenence costs coming down due to less ware and tare from trucks. but maybe as said, its something for another thread

    you still have to get the goods from the railway freight depot to the shops or factories, so your argument is silly
    the only thing cheap to transport by rail are large commodities such as coal, peat, fuel, chemicals

    I think we should stop people using the tram lanes on the canals for cycling and walking because they might bring back the towing horses someday for the canal barges.
    that is the equivalent of your argument.


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    #41
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    you still have to get the goods from the railway freight depot to the shops or factories, so your argument is silly

    its not. any freight that was transported by rail was done all the way by rail. only one that wasn't was the asagi plant where a bit of the journey was done by road due to much of the branch that went near the factory been lifted before the factory was built
    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    the only thing cheap to transport by rail are large commodities such as coal, peat, fuel, chemicals

    which were talking about, along with a few other flows
    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    I think we should stop people using the tram lanes on the canals for cycling and walking because they might bring back the towing horses someday for the canal barges.
    that is the equivalent of your argument.

    bull. athlone mullingar has been well recognised as a strategic link, and that it should never have been closed. if we were still in the boom i've no doubt it probably would be on the way to reopening by now. same with navan.

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #42
    Pinch Flat
    Registered Users Posts: 7,761 ✭✭✭Pinch Flat


    Great news will post in cycling forum. Plenty of lads do the canals over and back and this could be taken in on a cross country journey.


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    #43
    nice_guy80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,723 ✭✭✭nice_guy80


    end of the road wrote: »
    its not. any freight that was transported by rail was done all the way by rail. only one that wasn't was the asagi plant where a bit of the journey was done by road due to much of the branch that went near the factory been lifted before the factory was built



    which were talking about, along with a few other flows



    bull. athlone mullingar has been well recognised as a strategic link, and that it should never have been closed. if we were still in the boom i've no doubt it probably would be on the way to reopening by now. same with navan.
    one of the biggest users of freight rail was Guinness
    how did they get the kegs from railway yards to pubs?

    anyway, we're both in agreement that the railway line doesn't need to be reopened due to the lack of freight on the lines


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    #44
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    we're both in agreement that the railway line doesn't need to be reopened due to the lack of freight on the lines

    no . were not. it should be reopened freight or not. the peddlers can go to kerry and mayo where there is actually something to see while peddling.

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #45
    Pinch Flat
    Registered Users Posts: 7,761 ✭✭✭Pinch Flat


    end of the road wrote: »
    no . were not. it should be reopened freight or not. the peddlers can go to kerry and mayo where there is actually something to see while peddling.

    you sure about that? Do you cycle? Here are some of the posts from the cycling forums:

    http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Royal-Canal-Way/28/

    http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2055064470

    http://irishcycle.com/tag/royal-canal-greenway/

    http://sportcrazy.net/cycling/dublin-to-athlone-cycle-royal-canal/

    This is just a selection of the posts on Irish forums - there's potential huge market for this and other greenways in the country and bring much needed euros into areas that need them. As well as off shoots in the pub and hospitality sector generally, Uk, Germany and the Netherlands would be potential huge markets for this.


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    #46
    Mearings
    Registered Users Posts: 557 ✭✭✭Mearings


    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    one of the biggest users of freight rail was Guinness
    how did they get the kegs from railway yards to pubs?

    anyway, we're both in agreement that the railway line doesn't need to be reopened due to the lack of freight on the lines

    And barge porter tasted far better than railway porter.


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    #47
    martin1
    Registered Users Posts: 217 ✭✭martin1


    Just back from mayo where me a couple of mates did the 42km cycle from Achill to Westport. It was really great, couldn't believe the crowds walking and cycling.

    Talked to a local who said that when the idea of a cycleway was first mooted, most people including himself thought it was a total waste of money. But now they had to eat their words and admit that it was a fantastic boom to the whole area.

    Athlone to Mullingar will be the same


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    #48
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    martin1 wrote: »
    Just back from mayo where me a couple of mates did the 42km cycle from Achill to Westport. It was really great, couldn't believe the crowds walking and cycling.

    Talked to a local who said that when the idea of a cycleway was first mooted, most people including himself thought it was a total waste of money. But now they had to eat their words and admit that it was a fantastic boom to the whole area.

    Athlone to Mullingar will be the same
    we'l have to wait and see. i maintain there is nothing of interest along the line unlike mayo and kerry where there are miles and miles of beautiful sceenery. once its handed over there is no getting it back either.

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #49
    pointer28
    Registered Users Posts: 1,354 ✭✭✭pointer28


    end of the road wrote: »
    once its handed over there is no getting it back either.

    Not true !

    http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/media/Variation%2013%20National%20Cycle%20Network.pdf

    The cycleway will be constructed adjacent to the disused railway tracks; the existing mainline tracks will remain in situ.

    So basically, the greenway is only allowed there on the condition that Irish Rail aren't using it at the moment. Current County Development Plan policy is to reinstate the Mullingar Athlone Railway line but I think this is only wishful thinking and unlikely to ever happen. In the unlikely event that it is ever re-opened the Greenway will have to be closed I presume.


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    #50
    Fred Swanson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


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    #51
    pointer28
    Registered Users Posts: 1,354 ✭✭✭pointer28


    Labour councillor, Mick Dollard, asked what the implications of the development between Mullingar and Athlone are on any potential future move to re-open the train line connecting the two towns.

    Mr O’Reilly responded that the reopening of the line was not part of Iarnród Éireann’s strategy for the next twenty years. He added too that the lease on the track for the greenway project is for twenty years.

    “It won’t prejudice the reopening of the railway line,” he stated.

    - See more at: http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2014/08/12/4031942-september-start-date-for-athlone-to-mullingar-greenway/#sthash.pupNSa48.dpuf


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    #52
    Pinch Flat
    Registered Users Posts: 7,761 ✭✭✭Pinch Flat


    end of the road wrote: »
    we'l have to wait and see. i maintain there is nothing of interest along the line unlike mayo and kerry where there are miles and miles of beautiful sceenery. once its handed over there is no getting it back either.

    Beautiful scenery ithe Midlands as well!


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    #53
    budgemook
    Registered Users Posts: 3,825 ✭✭✭budgemook


    I cycled along the Royal Canal through the Midlands over the Summer. It was full of beautiful scenery. Some people think that unless there are big hills there is nothing to look at.


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    #54
    nice_guy80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,723 ✭✭✭nice_guy80


    budgemook wrote: »
    I cycled along the Royal Canal through the Midlands over the Summer. It was full of beautiful scenery. Some people think that unless there are big hills there is nothing to look at.

    exactly
    nice villages too
    Killucan, Castletowngeoghegan,


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    #55
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Build it and they will come. :rolleyes:


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    #56
    Mearings
    Registered Users Posts: 557 ✭✭✭Mearings


    Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216cd1/8865269095/in/set-72157633759839850


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    #57
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Mearings wrote: »
    Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216cd1/8865269095/in/set-72157633759839850

    That was done in old God's time - nothing to do with the trackway.

    Will they cut all the hedges down to give a decent view of the countryside?


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    #58
    hardCopy
    Registered Users Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    end of the road wrote: »
    we'l have to wait and see. i maintain there is nothing of interest along the line unlike mayo and kerry where there are miles and miles of beautiful sceenery. once its handed over there is no getting it back either.

    While Mayo does have lots of beautiful scenery, it's not always visible from the Greenway. Much of it looks very like the photos Salmon posted earlier.

    Greenway-Westport-to-Newport-c.-John-M-CCL1.jpg

    I've cycled on the Great Western Greenway several times and also on the Velodyssee in France, the big draw on Greenways is not just the scenery but the escape from cities and traffic.

    If you object to the new greenway being laid instead of rail that's fair enough but it's success or failure won't hinge on the quality of scenery, far more important is regular access to coffee shops and pubs adjacent to the route and provision of bike hire. Looking at the Great Western Greenway I think it's safe to assume that local entrepreneurs will be quick to provide these amenities.


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    #59
    Mearings
    Registered Users Posts: 557 ✭✭✭Mearings


    <<<Quote:
    Originally Posted by Mearings View Post
    Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216c...57633759839850>>>

    <<<That was done in old God's time - nothing to do with the trackway.>>>

    So do they replace the bridge or take up the track?


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    #60
    cml387
    Registered Users Posts: 8,363 ✭✭✭cml387


    On the basis that nothing can be done without somebody complaining, The Topic gave space to people complaining about the effect the cyclepath will have on their property.

    These are houses which were ex lineside cottages for level crossings etc. People assumed that the railway would never open again and forgot about rights of way.

    Now cyclists will be sweeping past their front doors and they don't like it.


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    #61
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Mearings wrote: »
    <<<Quote:
    Originally Posted by Mearings View Post
    Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216c...57633759839850>>>

    <<<That was done in old God's time - nothing to do with the trackway.>>>

    So do they replace the bridge or take up the track?

    That is an interesting and possibly expensive question. Given IE's attitude to reopening the line, it would seem removing the track on the bridges would be the sane option.


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