[PR] Cork-Cobh Rail disruption

Victor

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=78

€6 million for major bridge investment on Cork-Cobh line by Media & P.R.
€6 million for major bridge investment on Cork-Cobh line
Belvelly and Slatty works to commence in December

Iarnród Éireann is to invest almost €6 million in safety critical works on the Belvelly and Slatty Viaducts on the Cork-Cobh rail line.

Preparatory works are currently taking place, and the replacement of Belvelly Viaduct and renewal of Slatty Viaduct will commence on December 9th for a period of 4 weeks and 4 days. During this time, the line from Glounthaune to Cobh will be closed, with alternative bus services operating in place of trains.


Background

The two viaducts, Slatty just north of Fota Station, and Belvelly just south, were constructed in 1887.

Slatty Viaduct comprises 6 wrought iron bowstring girder spans and a masonry arch on both approaches. The viaduct now needs safety-critical renewal works. At a cost of €3.1 million, the project will:

* Strengthen the approach arches to accommodate the new deck
* Strengthen the bowstring girders
* Repair the piers
* Install a new deck
* Install a track direct fixing arrangement over the bridge.
* Repair the bearings
* Paint the retained areas of the bridge

Belvelly Viaduct comprises 3 wrought iron bowstring girder spans with approach masonry arches. It requires replacement to ensure the continued safe operation of services across the viaduct. At a cost of €2.9 million, the project will:

* Strengthen the existing approach arches to accommodate the new bridge spans
* Replace the existing bowstring girder spans
* Repair the piers
* Install a track direct fixing arrangement over the bridge.
* Upgrade the track

The works on Belvelly and Slatty, as well as yielding safety benefits, will allow train services travel at a faster speed across both viaducts.


Services

From the last scheduled train on 08 December 2004 to the first scheduled train on 10 January 2005, these works will necessitate the closure of the line between Glounthaune and Cobh. Bus transfers will accommodate customers in both directions between Glounthaune, Fota, Carrigaloe, Rushbrooke and Cobh for the duration of the improvements works. An alternative Cork-Cobh commuter timetable for this period will be published. Commuter Services and InterCity services on the Cork-Mallow line will not be affected.

Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for any inconvenience, which results from these essential works. Customers with special needs should contact Iarnród Éireann, Cork at 021-4504777

deRanged

That article fails to mention that for the last 2 weeks the line between Cobh and Glounthaune has been closed during off peak hours, with no trains at all after 20:00 (bus instead). One might wonder why they didn't fix this last year when they upgraded the tracks. One might also wonder why they wait till the passengers from Cobh have boarded the train in Glounthaune before switching it over to the 'Cork' track - it sits on the 'wrong side' of the track for about half an hour while they wait for the bus.