Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

FlameoftheWest · 03-04-2010 5:46pm

Transportuser09 wrote: »

I agree there should be a station at Oranmore. Hopefully there will be, although to be honest I don't think WestOnTrack can blamed for what is a least in part a planning issue. It makes sense, and would allow the WRC to partly function as an outersuburban service as well as a regional/Intercity one.

There was a rail users group who mentioned on here they personally begged WoT to make Oranmore a priority and thet were politely told to "feck off back to Dublin this is not your business."

DWCommuter · 03-04-2010 6:45pm

FlameoftheWest wrote: »

There was a rail users group who mentioned on here they personally begged WoT to make Oranmore a priority and thet were politely told to "feck off back to Dublin this is not your business."

Not begged. Proposed/asked that they work with us on the Galway Suburban idea. If I recall correctly there was also a Claremorris Mayo link type idea in there as well.

The response wasn't quite feck off, it was more a case of us being told that WOT are only interested in getting the WRC opened and nothing else.

That was May 2005 in Castlebar.

RoundyMooney · 03-04-2010 7:33pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

These so-called level crossings (most of which are farm crossings) have no effect on line speeds or anything else - what do you think happens, that the train slows down approaching every crossing.

Then what accounts for the ludicrously long journey time (aside from the run into Galway), grades, curves on the line etc?

dowlingm · 03-04-2010 7:47pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

These so-called level crossings (most of which are farm crossings) have no effect on line speeds or anything else

No chance of them leaving gates open, leaving livestock get onto the line...

Judgement Day · 03-04-2010 8:14pm

As far as I know the presence of accomodation crossings has no bearing on line speeds but I'm happy to be corrected on this point. The WRC line speeds are more to do with the undulating nature of the route, curves etc.etc. and of course CIE/IE's failure to put in sufficient passing loops. Anyway you'll be glad to hear that I am going to refrain from further comment until I visit the line - hopefully next week.

RoundyMooney · 03-04-2010 8:17pm

I'll look forward to that. I'm being genuine btw, I can't fathom why they didn't go the whole hog on it, and it has a big bearing on present and future infrastructure as well.

dowlingm · 03-04-2010 10:39pm

RoundyMooney wrote: »

I can't fathom why they didn't go the whole hog on it, and it has a big bearing on present and future infrastructure as well.

Because they got as much money as they knew they could ask for, 100m Euro. IE capital funding comes from government at the end of the day. If Dempsey and Lenihan handed Dick Fearn double or triple that, you could have 100mph 22K service on an double track alignment. He got what WoT promised service could be reinstated for and the priests and "chained officials" agitated for, which was enough for a "coat of paint".

[Edit: Clonsilla-Dunboyne is EUR160m for 15 track-kilometres - and 12 of that was to buy land previously sold, apparently]

KevR · 04-04-2010 12:40am

FlameoftheWest wrote: »

It won't improve to any real degree until there is a station/passing loop/new signalling/P&R at Oranmore which should of been Stage One of this project.

+1

corktina · 04-04-2010 4:27am

KevR wrote: »

+1

plans are for a single playform at Oranmore so no passing loop i guess

Victor · 04-04-2010 5:38am

dowlingm wrote: »

[Edit: Clonsilla-Dunboyne is EUR160m for 15 track-kilometres - and 12 of that was to buy land previously sold, apparently]

That includes 3-4 stations, a huge amount of car parking and a bunch of new bridges.

And at least part of it is being paid for by developers.

dowlingm · 04-04-2010 6:32pm

Victor wrote: »

That includes 3-4 stations, a huge amount of car parking and a bunch of new bridges.

And at least part of it is being paid for by developers.

My point exactly. This is how much it costs to do it right, and those who benefit should be forking out, either through developer levies, municipal bonds or property taxes/tax increment financing. The WRC was done on the cheap with no co-financing I've heard of. Even 5-10pc of the 106m budget could have made a difference in that the Oranmore design and PP could have been paid for or the Gort double section lengthened or a few of the more egregious curves straightened and dips raised.

Here in North America municipalities and states/provinces don't expect to get infrastructure for free and often they provide the majority of the funding. The political model in Ireland militates AGAINST local people being hit in the pocket and thus taking an interest in ensuring the financial viability of the project.

DWCommuter · 04-04-2010 6:51pm

I present to you, Ciaran Cuffe Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire, and his self styled "TV" appearance at the launch of the WRC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CcbiWSo-Kg

In 2004, when Platform 11 ran the Extend the DART campaign, he personally telephoned me and asked to be taken off the web sites petition list as his constituency of Dun Laoghaire had nothing to do with it.:rolleyes:

But it's nice to see him so happy in the west droning on about sustainable transport and a "bit of grub".

It's all about priorities, isn't it?:rolleyes:

Judgement Day · 04-04-2010 7:41pm

Ah yes, the Greens love to get their faces into the trough with their disgusting FF bedfellows! Nice to see them stuffing their faces in the former MGWR/CIE/Great Southern Hotel - sold off cheap by FF to property developer friend Gerry Barrett. I understand that Anglo are big into Gerry Barrett so perhaps the hotel may yet find its way back into State ownership? Incidentally, is just me or do other people also get the impression that Ciaran Cuffe is on the waccy baccy or something stronger?

FlameoftheWest · 04-04-2010 7:48pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

I present to you, Ciaran Cuffe Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire, and his self styled "TV" appearance at the launch of the WRC.

Isn't he the same Green Party phony who was discovered to have had shares in military weapons producers at the time he was Green Party Spokeperson on Nutrality?

Class bunch they are...

Judgement Day · 04-04-2010 7:54pm

Oil exploration companies too I believe, he's a class act!

Hungerford · 04-04-2010 8:04pm

My spies inform me that Green Party supporters were quite prominent at several stations along the line during the WRC opening day.

It's all about that Galway senator guy [the big bloke next to him in the video] and the next general election. I suspect that's why there are 22ks
going to the WRC next year.

dowlingm · 04-04-2010 8:07pm

Hungerford wrote: »

I suspect that's why there are 22ks
going to the WRC next year.

Say what?

I presume this is when the next batch arrive from Korea?

DWCommuter · 04-04-2010 9:56pm

dowlingm wrote: »

Say what?

I presume this is when the next batch arrive from Korea?

Apparently there was no provision made for the WRC in the final batch of 22Ks, but there is a plan afoot to lift sets from the Heuston commuter routes and send them west.

Still only a rumour though.

KevR · 05-04-2010 12:52am

corktina wrote: »

plans are for a single playform at Oranmore so no passing loop i guess

Yeah and only 100 car parking spaces and no connecting bus services. It's typical West of Ireland. The potential of rail in the Galway area will never be realised, traffic in Galway will never improve (although they will stick in a few random unnecessary bus lanes in a failed attempt to help the situation).

In 3 years - 26,000 in each direction passing Oranmore on the M6 daily, only 100 parking spaces at Oranmore P&R. At most the P&R will remove 0.38% of cars from the Doughiska bottleneck even though there will be 28 trains passing through Oranmore anyway with plenty of spare capacity. :rolleyes:

And instead of building a station in Renmore (28 trains per day; 5,000 people in Renmore alone, thousands more in other nearby areas), they are building a station in Crusheen (10 trains; 700 people, corect me if I am wrong).

Victor · 05-04-2010 4:12am

Off-topic drivel deleted.

RoundyMooney · 05-04-2010 12:47pm

I suppose the question is, in a happier economic clime, can they build on what they have, and improve the bottlenecks (for want of a better word)? The commuter station at Oranmore will presumably happen at some stage.

Or is the lobbying all directed at reopening the alignment up to Sligo?

I'm hypothesising here yes, but as someone with an interest in seeing the rail system sorted out, once and for all, on a nationwide basis (and yes, that includes Dublin).

Hungerford · 05-04-2010 1:18pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

Still only a rumour though.

It was confirmed at the WRC launch, according to the Irish Times.

Oliver1985 · 05-04-2010 2:05pm

dowlingm wrote: »

My point exactly. This is how much it costs to do it right, and those who benefit should be forking out, either through developer levies, municipal bonds or property taxes/tax increment financing. The WRC was done on the cheap with no co-financing I've heard of. Even 5-10pc of the 106m budget could have made a difference in that the Oranmore design and PP could have been paid for or the Gort double section lengthened or a few of the more egregious curves straightened and dips raised.

Here in North America municipalities and states/provinces don't expect to get infrastructure for free and often they provide the majority of the funding. The political model in Ireland militates AGAINST local people being hit in the pocket and thus taking an interest in ensuring the financial viability of the project.

Not being smart but i dont think anyone really cares what goes on in North America!!

JHMEG · 05-04-2010 2:58pm

Oliver1985 wrote: »

Not being smart but i dont think anyone really cares what goes on in North America!!

He's drawing a comparison: If you don't have it in Ireland then FF will get it for you, and better again, they'll get some other eejit to pay for it and subsidise its running. In NA, you can have anything you want, as long as you pay for it. Seems fair to me.

dowlingm · 05-04-2010 3:51pm

JHMEG wrote: »

He's drawing a comparison: If you don't have it in Ireland then FF will get it for you, and better again, they'll get some other eejit to pay for it and subsidise its running. In NA, you can have anything you want, as long as you pay for it. Seems fair to me.

I'd say there's more of a balance, for sure. However, provinces/states and municipal governments tend to have a bit more power particularly in funding such as property tax, local sales taxes etc. and therefore local input into the project tends to be taken more seriously, since their involvement is usually in the 30-70% range. National and Provincial governments tend to want something for the money, such as "Buy America" or more policies in Canadian provinces looking for a % of the project to be assembled in Canada.

By comparison Irish Local Authorities are stuck with a much narrower set of funding tools (and some of those like developer levies are a dead duck for the next 5-10 years) and Regional Authorities mostly exist for EU funding purposes last I heard. That's why I think their ability to contribute will be limited and that's understandable. But even token amounts (1-10%) would indicate a willingness to have "skin in the game", and where direct subvention of a project is not possible those amounts could take the form of leasing station property to use as offices where they would need some anyway.

westtip · 07-04-2010 9:52am

I am beginning to think all this analysis of how many grannies are travelling on the SJE on a daily basis is hilarious- No matter the outcome, we all know WOT will be positive about any number of people travelling on the SJE; and most of us with a brain know that the numbers quoted last week at the opening of 300,000 have a snowflakes chance in hell of happening. The most important numbers are:

How many paying passengers are using:

The "inter-city" (between towns) route of Limerick to Galway and vice versa.

How many commuters have been added to the route north of Ennis going to Galway and indeed south of Athenry how many new fare paying commuters have been added going to Limerick.

Total numbers using the line will have to exclude the extant numbers that already use the Ennis - Limerick commuter route (WOT will fold them all together), the extension north to Athenry has not changed their lives one iota.

And to a certain degree allowances will have to be made to exclude some of the numbers using the extant services from Athenry to Galway (a route that was used before the extension was opened) - Of course WOT will include all these and probably try to fold in the numbers sitting on a Dublin -Galway train for the section of their journey from Athenry to Galway.

Lies Lies Lies and dam statistics, we are going to have to be very wary of WOT get up to in massaging the truth.

How many people are now using the line between Athenry and Ennis?

I read an interesting post on one of the semingly growing number of WRC threads the other day would the money not have been better spent on upgrading the Dublin Galway line - well what good point. In particular in light of the growing coach competition on the M6. Too late now - but double tracking to Athlone, and increasing train speeds and frequencies, improving the road link along the Claremorris - Ennis north south access to make it quicker to get to this fast east - west rail route May, just may have been money better spent.

My thought for the day closed - now I have to copy paste this post to the WRC thread.

Life was much easier before the one and onlyl true thread was closed down by the thought police.

DWCommuter · 13-04-2010 11:08pm

HELLO! Remember this thread?

I was doing some research today and was looking through hard copies of emails from 2003/4. What struck me was the level of internal lobbying for the WRC that went on in IE. Considering many here think IE didn't want this line opened, I'd suggest, think again. From mere employees to management, they assisted the WOT campaign in a way that they would never assist any other existing passenger group. One particular "manager" based in Dublin regularly meets user groups from the GDA and trots out the usual lines of spin and defense to problems, while that same manager actively lobbied for the reopening of the WRC, despite major problems in his area of charge.

From my records it would also appear to be likely that WOT were not particularly responsible for the opening of Ennis - Athenry as it was apparently decided before they existed to introduce inter city services on this route. (and thats according to them) This would make sense as WOT were steadfast in their campaign that Claremorris/Tuam - Athenry would be phase one.

What a funny little railway and what a controversy it may cause.;)

westtip · 14-04-2010 4:49pm

derek get that slab of beer ready. I will meet you with the chill box.

DWCommuter · 14-04-2010 5:35pm

Your on!

Of course our tour is by scheduled service and not on the holy express.

westtip · 15-04-2010 9:07am

DWCommuter wrote: »

HELLO! Remember this thread?

From my records it would also appear to be likely that WOT were not particularly responsible for the opening of Ennis - Athenry as it was apparently decided before they existed to introduce inter city services on this route. (and thats according to them) This would make sense as WOT were steadfast in their campaign that Claremorris/Tuam - Athenry would be phase one.

What a funny little railway and what a controversy it may cause.;)

Interesting Derek, of course now the only bit of the WRC has been built for which a slight rationale argument could ever have been made that is where the project will finish, If IE or the DOT can make a rationale argument in these stringent times for a rail line north of Athenry to Claremorris over far more pressing needs for projects where there is a true rail demand and indeed need, then the whole system truly has gone to pot. Sadly for WOT making claremorris the Clapham junction of the west of Ireland is now never likely to be achieved, so we need to move on and find a propre use for the alignment.

Judgement Day · 15-04-2010 10:12am

westtip wrote: »

Interesting Derek, of course now the only bit of the WRC has been built for which a slight rationale argument could ever have been made that is where the project will finish, If IE or the DOT can make a rationale argument in these stringent times for a rail line north of Athenry to Claremorris over far more pressing needs for projects where there is a true rail demand and indeed need, then the whole system truly has gone to pot. Sadly for WOT making claremorris the Clapham junction of the west of Ireland is now never likely to be achieved, so we need to move on and find a propre use for the alignment.

An adventure trail for all lovers of the Famous Five, where we can all go for a spiffing adventure and have lashings of Ginger Beer?

westtip · 15-04-2010 2:34pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

An adventure trail for all lovers of the Famous Five, where we can all go for a spiffing adventure and have lashings of Ginger Beer?

Well apparently all is not lost JD, as The Western People that hybrid of Journalism here in the west, reports this week that the WRC will "transform the west" once again it is truly hilarious stuff:

I will see if I can find a link, it's the usual mind boggling upbeat optimism that gets reported as "news" when Colonel mustard (sic) makes a speech to rally the troops

Anyway JD I think better an adventure trail than a VERY LIGHTLY used rail line. The conversion of this route to a walking cycling trail (my bee in my bonnet) would actually contribute more to the local economies than five trains a day- and in fact this could have been done on the new line in parallel to the railway had the powers to be http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/resources/guidelines%206.pdf is the link to go to for the kind of vision or the nouse needed to think of it and take example of this kind of scheme in the uk - go to the sustrans web site to see what I mean. The .pdf on this link discusses the economic impact of cyclying tourism in the North East of England http://www.sustrans.org.uk/resources...-cycle-tourism,

If you can't get into the link then read these key findings, but there are many other documents on the sustrans website that spell out the blindingly obvious for what is needed on the WRC alignment - and something the west of ireland is actually crying out for - tourism infrastructure that is proven to work around the world.

Key findings

The parts of the four routes lying within the North East attracted 302,000 cycle trips in 2006
These National Cycle Network users contributed £9.6 million directly to the North East economy 2006. This represents a value of £13.4 million to the wider regional economy
216 jobs are supported in the immediate vicinity of the routes in the North East
In 2006 route users from out-of-region visiting the North East generated £5.9 million, supporting 95 full-time jobs

Just take in the figures and examine them then think about the WRC potential, the rail line will not create jobs nor attract one company to the region no matter what WOT say....the trailways will massively increase the sales of ginger beer and BTW attract a shed load of real fare paying tourists to the region

westtip · 18-04-2010 12:30pm

Press release and see photo in page six of yesterdays Irish Times - Tis only a matter of time before this idea is implemented on the WRC north of Athenry, I think the interesting thing is this was delivered within six months......

http://www.transport.ie/pressRelease.aspx?Id=194

Minister Dempsey officially opens the Newport to Mulranny Greenway
16 - 04 - 2010
Back to Press Releases
New cycling and walking route for County Mayo

A new €1.6 million off-road cycling and walking route, was officially opened today by the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD. The 17.5km route was developed by Mayo County Council and is located along the line of the former Midland Great Western Railway line. The route was funded primarily by the Department of Transport, with additional monies made available through Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The new route was developed in an effective partnership by Mayo County Council with local landowners and community groups and delivered within six months. It is an excellent example of Government Departments, agencies, local authority and the local community working together. In particular, the local landowners along the route of abandoned rail line deserve credit for their central role in the project. It is their vision and generosity that resulted in the delivery of this world-class cycle route.
There is further potential to develop the route from Mulranny to Achill Sound and from Newport to Westport, which would increase the route to 42km resulting in a route of international significance, that takes in some of the most scenic locations along the western Atlantic and linking the route to Westport town itself.
Speaking today Minister Dempsey said: “I believe that the Newport-Mulranny route offers a vision of the future. People from all over Ireland can make use of this world-class route and I am sure it will act as a catalyst for other routes to be developed all across the country. Not only will this remove the barriers in peoples’ minds when it comes to cycling, it will greatly increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a tourism destination, and create jobs in local economies.”

Ethna Murphy, head of Leisure Tourism at Fáilte Ireland welcomed the new route, saying: “The development of this quality cycling infrastructure will ensure that all in the region are in a position to capitalise on this lucrative market, in addition to adding value to the domestic holiday experience. Holidaymakers, engaging in active pursuits in Ireland, spent more than €1 billion in 2008 with almost a million overseas visitors engaging in activities such as walking, cycling, equestrian pursuits and water based activities. These were high value overseas tourists generating spend levels 40% higher than the average visitor.”
The Minister concluded by highlighting the important role of local landowners in facilitating the delivery of this world-class route. He said: “Without the commitment and goodwill of local landowners, this project would not have progressed beyond a line on a map. This goodwill means that one of the best leisure amenities in our country is right on your doorstep. It also means that many other people will get to experience the beautiful landscape of the area as they cycle and enjoy the new route.”

Sponge Bob · 18-04-2010 1:52pm

Great idea and only 40 years late IMO.

Ireland has lost the bicycle tourist market not that it was ever worth much as a market when we had it ....but still. We used to call them "Vazindoolins" in Galway because they always seemed to say "I Vaz In Doolin" ....NEVER in Clare only Doolin.

unit 1 · 21-04-2010 11:27pm

westtip wrote: »

Press release and see photo in page six of yesterdays Irish Times - Tis only a matter of time before this idea is implemented on the WRC north of Athenry, I think the interesting thing is this was delivered within six months......
Here it is.
http://www.transport.ie/pressRelease.aspx?Id=194

Image0007.jpg

westtip · 22-04-2010 9:09pm

Whats the latest on headcounts for Ennis - Athenry? Anyone seen anyone on the SJE recently?

glineli · 23-04-2010 9:56am

Any idea where the planned station in Oranmore is?

I was told yesterday its out the coast road a bit, just past an old garage on the right hand side. Not too sure how true that is

maninasia · 23-04-2010 10:28am

corktina wrote: »

so obvious isnt it! what a waste!

100 million Euros to open a line that practically nobody will use. Pretty much everybody in the West has a car, even social welfarites have them.

Instead they could have turned this old slow line into a bike path for a few million Euros and it would have brought the equivalent revenue back within a year....

Corruption or stupidity?

Our man in Havana · 23-04-2010 10:35am

That's chained officials for ya!

foggy_lad · 23-04-2010 11:43am

westtip wrote: »

Press release and see photo in page six of yesterdays Irish Times - Tis only a matter of time before this idea is implemented on the WRC northsouth of Athenry, I think the interesting thing is this was delivered within six months......

http://www.transport.ie/pressRelease.aspx?Id=194

fixed that for them:D:D:D

maninasia · 23-04-2010 12:11pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Great idea and only 40 years late IMO.

Ireland has lost the bicycle tourist market not that it was ever worth much as a market when we had it ....but still. We used to call them "Vazindoolins" in Galway because they always seemed to say "I Vaz In Doolin" ....NEVER in Clare only Doolin.

Most cyclists would be Irish, next British, European, N.Americans and many Asians..the world has changed since then. Major users would be weekend city folk getting out into nature and some exercise. Cycling tours and holidays are popular in Asia already. Take it from me Asians would LOVE to cycle on such a track in Ireland.

Cycling is going to be a huge leisure pursuit in the next few years once more cycle lanes are built.

westtip · 25-04-2010 5:27pm

maninasia wrote: »

stupidity?

You got it with that last word, It wouldn't be corruption as there is no profit for anyone to be made out of the WRC, Thanks for those photos couple of posts up to Unit 1 - intend cycling this track very soon; when they extend it to Achill the obvious benefits of this approach will become apparent - A Mayo Coco councillor said to me recently he "thinks the same treatment on the WRC would be money well spent and would definiely bring tourists in" this was after he had cycled the track and he saw the light whilst on his bike - I won't release his name as WOT may put a contract on him! But believe me the worm is turning. Watch out for news to come.

DWCommuter · 25-04-2010 6:08pm

westtip wrote: »

You got it with that last word, It wouldn't be corruption as there is no profit for anyone to be made out of the WRC, Thanks for those photos couple of posts up to Unit 1 - intend cycling this track very soon; when they extend it to Achill the obvious benefits of this approach will become apparent - A Mayo Coco councillor said to me recently he "thinks the same treatment on the WRC would be money well spent and would definiely bring tourists in" this was after he had cycled the track and he saw the light whilst on his bike - I won't release his name as WOT may put a contract on him! But believe me the worm is turning. Watch out for news to come.

Well the song is saying "walk the line", but there's definately a train on it.:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KOQVByxmMs

dowlingm · 25-04-2010 7:37pm

westtip wrote: »

Thanks for those photos couple of posts up to Unit 1 - intend cycling this track very soon; when they extend it to Achill the obvious benefits of this approach will become apparent - A Mayo Coco councillor said to me recently he "thinks the same treatment on the WRC would be money well spent and would definiely bring tourists in" this was after he had cycled the track and he saw the light whilst on his bike

The news I expect is IE turning away cyclists trying to meet up with the cycleway at Westport or Castlebar.

As for the WRC, I don't think the 45 mile section Claremorris-Athenry should be given up on (to get Belview freight off the Galway mainline and reduce the deadheading of Ballina trains to Limerick depot by almost 50 miles every changeover) but the Collooney-Swinford section should be paved straight-off, with the intention of creating a through-route to Achill.

westtip · 25-04-2010 11:52pm

dowling just to clarify and for Derek to, the councillor I spoke with was referring to the Collooney - Claremorris section as being ideal for a greenway -which is what I have always harped on about - although I see no harm in running a greenway parallel with the Athenry - Claremorris section (would be used by more people in any event), BTW any news on numbers using the Ennis - Athenry section yet? Especially now we are out of the holiday season for a while and the "excitement" has ebbed away a bit for those that feel they must give it a try, my guess is becasue we are seeing no numbers posted they have err..... dwindled.

westtip · 30-04-2010 10:28am

The issue of a greenway for Claremorris/Collooney is due to be debated on Mid West Radio on Tuesday morning just after 10.00 am.

rainbowdash · 30-04-2010 11:51am

the parents were on the 2pm train down from Galway yesterday and said there was a handy crowd on it, whatever that means. Everybody I talk to is complaining about the prices and feels they are excessive given the recession. Lots of stories about people planning to get the train but when they priced it, it was just too expensive and drove instead.

dynamick · 04-05-2010 1:11am

16K pax in first month.
Near 200k if that number sustains for a year

The business case predicted 100K pax in year 1 rising to 200k pax in year 5. So that's looking good. Only problem is that 200k pax only recovers a third of operating costs. And remember that we are just writing off the 106m construction cost.

They would need 600K pax just to break even on operations.

Galway rail route beats expectations
GORDON DEEGAN

PASSENGER TRAFFIC on the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor has exceeded expectations, Iarnród Éireann said yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the company said 16,000 journeys were made in the first month of the new Limerick-Galway service, which has been restored at a cost of €106.5 million.

The service was reintroduced after 34 years on March 29th.

“The first month’s operations have exceeded expectations, with significant demand experienced from day one,” the spokeswoman said.

Colman Ó Raghallaigh of West on Track said the performance on the new rail line “has confounded the critics”.

“We believe that, given the success of phase one, there is now no further excuse for prevarication as far as continuing with the next phases to Tuam and Claremorris.”

The Iarnród Éireann spokeswoman said: “The 16,000 passenger journeys recorded are on top of the existing 14,400 monthly journeys on the Limerick-Ennis service, meaning the through route has seen over 30,000 passenger journeys in its first month

There is more...

Victor · 04-05-2010 1:16am

dynamick wrote: »

The Iarnród Éireann spokeswoman said: “The 16,000 passenger journeys recorded are on top of the existing 14,400 monthly journeys on the Limerick-Ennis service, meaning the through route has seen over 30,000 passenger journeys in its first month

No you fool, if they only travel Limerick-Ennis, they aren't using the "through route".

dowlingm · 04-05-2010 1:50am

Victor wrote: »

No you fool, if they only travel Limerick-Ennis, they aren't using the "through route".

The Limerick-Ennis section should also be getting an uptick in its own right due to Sixmilebridge.

Also, Athenry-Galway can only be counted as incremental in part - although some of the existing services will be more attractive due to the number of options either coming or going presented by the additional 5 services per direction.

Do not speak to us of trainloads, Mr. IE man. Tell us of boardings per station.

That said, owt is better than nowt - and how much better would the owt be by dumping the Gort-Athenry intermediate stops and opening Oranmore ASAP.

Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

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