Rail Freight news

dowlingm

From the Railway Gazette:

Ballina - Dublin Port container service operated by IÉ under contract to International Warehousing & Transport since August 2009 will be increased from two to three trains per week in April.

T Corolla

Is this still for Coca Cola or are there new products coming onstream

dowlingm

I don't have anything more than that I'm afraid. The IWT website is poor to say the least.

Bluetonic

http://www.cilt.ie/events/jan-apr-2010/306-the-return-of-rail-freight.html

Judgement Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1lxDjd_fi8

dowlingm

You'd think with passenger numbers about to head south they'd be thinking twice about fleeing from freight.

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR146558

Description of the goods or services required

Iarnród Éireann has for sale 36 surplus 20ft and 40 ft containers; 10 surplus tank trailers and surplus keg racking all located in Dundalk Freight Depot.

For further details please contact Anthony Monaghan, Dundalk Stationmanager - 042-9355653

dowlingm

Don't know what to make of the reference to Derry-Belview traffic - it's not like that's going to get either Antrim-Lisburn or Rosslare-Belview reopened, and who would start a service when Derry-Coleraine is going to be subject to closures for upgrading in a few years? Seems in the realm of fantasy to me. Does anyone know if the Alexandra Road work is actually being done? And as for freight to Cork... North Esk is closed and I can't see the money for a Marino Point quay so presumably that means Tivoli (and the Port of Cork giving up on flogging it off for development and a commuter rail station)

Ireland - Rail Freight expands despite recession

February 16th 2011

The recession has meant hard times for Ireland, Tim Casterton reports...
Despite this, rail freight in the country is bucking the trend, turning in a €1m profit for Iarnród Éireann last year. Now for the first time in many years expansion is taking place driven by the tightening of HGV drivers' hours, rising fuel costs and environmental considerations.

Surprisingly, the catalyst for this modest expansion is the small town of Ballina in the North West of Ireland. For a few years now the small freight yard here has been a thriving hub serving the DFDS, formally Norfolk Line, container trains to and from Waterford and the pulpwood trains run for the Irish forestry company Coillte. Last year these services were joined by the new IWT container train services from Dublin Port.

Such is the buoyancy of these services that the small yard (a loop and two sidings) is now being expanded with the reinstatement of the former Crossmolina Siding just north of the station (accessed via the level crossing) for the stabling of trains awaiting loading.

Apparently both DFDS and IWT are negotiating with adjacent landowners for space to store containers and it is also possible that power supplies may be installed in the future so that refrigeration units on containers can be run.

In the east, the Port of Dublin is responding to a report that suggested that it becomes rail connected again by reinstating tracks from the Alexandra Road Tramway back into the port. This would allow trains to be loaded or unloaded directly by the gantry crane.

Currently the IWT container trains are loaded and unloaded on the tramway and this involves quite a bit of shuttling of containers to and from the port complex. This extension should be completed in April this year and following this, it is possible that a further extension into the Dublin Ferry Terminal may be restored, thus giving access to the Eucon terminal.

Once the extension into Dublin Port is completed, IWT expect to increase the weekly number of container or liner trains from the port from three to five on the Ballina route and in longer term will look at serving other destinations. Cork has to be considered as a strong possibility for such services. The port has also received expressions of interest in further use of rail by other freight customers.

More good news for Iarnród Éireann's Freight Division was the new contract for transporting pulp wood from Ballina and Westport to Waterford. This allows for a 20% increase in tonnage during 2011 to around 60,000 tonnes.

Last year some 135 trains were operated for Coillte and the new contract should see this number rise to around 160 trains this year. Another exciting development is the possibility of the introduction of a long haul service from Londonderry to Waterford and talks are presently taking place regarding this. For the time being though, this traffic flow is being moved by sea.

If this Londonderry flow does start, it will be the first time freight traffic of any nature has operated on Northern Ireland Railways tracks for many years. The south end of the Belfast to Dublin line does still see regular freight traffic of zinc ore from the Tara Mines near Navan, with this producing around three daily services to Dublin North Wall for export.

No one should underestimate the gravity of Ireland's financial problems. Railways however represent an optimistic light in the beleaguered Irish economy.

Judgement Day

dowlingm wrote: »

Don't know what to make of the reference to Derry-Belview traffic - it's not like that's going to get either Antrim-Lisburn or Rosslare-Belview reopened, and who would start a service when Derry-Coleraine is going to be subject to closures for upgrading in a few years? Seems in the realm of fantasy to me. Does anyone know if the Alexandra Road work is actually being done? And as for freight to Cork... North Esk is closed and I can't see the money for a Marino Point quay so presumably that means Tivoli (and the Port of Cork giving up on flogging it off for development and a commuter rail station)

Sadly the piece was written by a former member of Westrail - a person who sees the future through rose-coloured (train spotters) glasses. A nice chap but he must have been on the ginger beer when he penned that piece.:D

L1011

Derry-Belview traffic would require a bloody awkward reverse in Dublin if its sent via Cherryville/Waterford.

shamwari

dowlingm wrote: »

Does anyone know if the Alexandra Road work is actually being done?

I believe it is. And its a dreadful pity that it's only happening now, and not a few years ago when it would have made even better economic and practical sense than it does now. :mad:

Victor

MYOB wrote: »

Derry-Belview traffic would require a bloody awkward reverse in Dublin if its sent via Cherryville/Waterford.

Derry-East Wall, engine swaps ends, East Wall-Belview via Drumcondra upper line.

Derry-Connolly, engine swaps ends, Connolly-Belview via Drumcondra upper line.

Just don't take it via the lower line in Drumcondra and you only ever need one driver, one engine (how far can it go on one fuel load?) and one shunter. Even via the lower line in Drumcondra, all you would need is the pilot engine in Connolly and a shunter.

dowlingm

Victor wrote: »

Derry-East Wall, engine swaps ends, East Wall-Belview via Drumcondra upper line.

Derry-Connolly, engine swaps ends, Connolly-Belview via Drumcondra upper line.

Just don't take it via the lower line in Drumcondra and you only ever need one driver, one engine (how far can it go on one fuel load?) and one shunter. Even via the lower line in Drumcondra, all you would need is the pilot engine in Connolly and a shunter.

Are all IE 071/201s enabled for NIR safety gear? If not, NIR to Dublin and a handover to a 201 at North Wall might be a better call, and then the NIR could fuel and take a rake of empties back to Derry. Funny this comes up only a few months after I remarked on the proximity of that salt mine up north to the Larne line - which I then wrote off with "sure NIR have no interest in the likes of that".

Judgement Day

Jeez - you're all hitting the ginger beer tonight. FG and the four horsemen of the Apocalypse are coming to town - has nobody told you? Rail freight, indeed railways, don't feature in FG's plans. Deregulation of the inter-city bus services yes but not railways.

dowlingm

Well, the Alexandra Road part is happening according to this.

Would this allow rolling stock deliveries into Dublin again? Given the past practice of delivering to Belview and commissioning the 22000s in Limerick probably wouldn't be used for the Rotem order, but maybe the CAF 4000s could arrive there and be hauled north.

Interestingly, this news also shows up on Translink - they have an "Industry News" page...

dermo88

The writer and editor of that piece regarding Rail Freight is a former moderator of Irishrailwaynews. In 2002, when it came to lobbying for the Interconnector and saving Limerick Junction to Rosslare, they, in conjunction with Brian Guckian allegedly stated that.

"We must oppose the Interconnector if we are to save the Foynes branch, the Western Rail corridor, and get a railway to Donegal"

Needless to say, Platform 11 were incredulous, and thats where the split started.

I was banned from Irishrailwaynews in September 2009 for stating something along these lines.

"If you think 3 freight trains a week is successful, then you are very deluded.....and dare I say a bit sad"

So many of us are in exile here, where we are free to debate provided we are polite and civilised.

BUT.....as long as you do not oppose daft branch lines way out west, Irishrailwaynews is for you.

I cannot wait for Enda Kenny to get in, only for the sense of schaudenfreude when Iarnrod Eireann does get privatised.

When the army needs to get called in to shoot a few communists at Heuston.

Bring it on comrade, I can't wait to see those effers singing "We'll keep the red flag flying". They did'nt when Rosslare Strand to Wasterford closed....did they.

dowlingm

dermo88 wrote: »

The writer and editor of that piece regarding Rail Freight is none other than Hassard Stackpoole

Which piece?

dowlingm

dowlingm wrote: »

Are all IE 071/201s enabled for NIR safety gear?

Nope, only 206, 207, 208, 209, 230, 231 and 233. I guess the NIR 111s would be an option, would give them something to do.

dermo88

I have to publicly apologise to Hassard Stacpoole, it looks like a case of mistaken identity on my part.

I have edited the piece accordingly.

Losty Dublin

Karsini wrote: »

Nope, only 206, 207, 208, 209, 230, 231 and 233. I guess the NIR 111s would be an option, would give them something to do.

The NIR 111 class are all currently stopped and out of serious action pending massive overhauls so they won't see service in the mid term at least.

Something to be considered about this new freight flow is that the northern NIR line (Only the CDR and GNR stations were called Derry so railway history calls that one ) is in such bad condition that locomotives are banned from it!!! To render it safe for goods means a massive investment by Translink, NIR's parent company which is still forthcoming.

shamwari

dermo88 wrote: »

I have to publicly apologise to Hassard Stacpoole, it looks like a case of mistaken identity on my part.

I have edited the piece accordingly.

Perhaps the only thing sillier than your faux pas above is your continued whining about you being banned from IRN. Deal with it and move on.

dermo88

And your point Shamwari being?

I make a mistake, apologise, admit mistake and move on. However, that was something that was not permitted elsewhere, while it should have. If a decision is fair, impartial, justified, then I certainly WILL deal with it and move on. However, the evidence is clear that it was not.

Just look.....the site has an outdated black and Orange colour scheme. A locomotive of a type hardly seen these days. Its looking to the past, not the future, or even envisioning a better future.

To point that out, even in a harsh, rather flippant manner is to risk censure.

Thankfully, the majority of posters on boards.ie see that. The defenders of CIE and Iarnrord Eireann unfortunately seem to be popping out of the woodwork lately. Is it because there is an election coming?

Is it because we're likely to see the fat lady singing on a balcony "Don't cry for me Hibernia" when the lifting trains are sent out?

As for the daft comment about the military shooting a few commies outside Heuston, its tongue in cheek anyway. No chance Barry Kenny can be pickled and preserved in formaldehyde?

Who uses the 1600mm gauge anyway?

Brazil, parts of Australia. That ensures that the existing (new) rolling stock is not easily sold off.....hopefully.

(Phew.....Ireland might escape some cuts)

shamwari

dermo88 wrote: »

And your point Shamwari being?

Just look.....the site has an outdated black and Orange colour scheme. A locomotive of a type hardly seen these days. Its looking to the past, not the future, or even envisioning a better future.

To point that out, even in a harsh, rather flippant manner is to risk censure.

Thankfully, the majority of posters on boards.ie see that. The defenders of CIE and Iarnrord Eireann unfortunately seem to be popping out of the woodwork lately. Is it because there is an election coming?

Is it because we're likely to see the fat lady singing on a balcony "Don't cry for me Hibernia" when the lifting trains are sent out?

Who uses the 1600mm gauge anyway?

Brazil, parts of Australia. That ensures that the existing (new) rolling stock is not easily sold off.....hopefully.

(Phew.....Ireland might escape some cuts)

My point is that you trot out that same stupid tired old drivel, decrying a site which you clearly have no time for, but for some reason, just can resist crowing on about. Fixations like that are somewhat unhealthy, don't you think?

And then you go and put your foot in it above by misnaming folk and then have to issue an apology. Is your humilation not complete yet?

I think you should take your ban from them with humility. One the face of it, it looks like it might well and truly have been earned.

dermo88

I'm a fairly balanced individual Shamwari, I have a chip on both shoulders. I'm not perfect, so I'll guess I'll stop mentioning them. In your case, where you have made comments regarding my posts, they have been nothing more than veiled insults. So coming from you, I shall regard it as a compliment and hold my head high. I respect someone elses opinions, just not yours. One sentence replies indicate your attention span on the C&T Forum, and on motoring, you are better informed. I noticed the article is by Tim Casterton however, in which case, I WILL elaborate as follows:

The less said the better.......The kind of passenger who will jump on the train ONCE to celebrate reopening, and leave the taxpayer footing the bill for a handful of commuters for the next 50 years. My point, irrespective of the misguided bullet aimed at an innocent target (Mr Stacpoole) being - is that the kind of customer the system needs. The aim is to provide sustainable regular custom, and joyriding trainspotters do not count.

Those who know the lie of the land know whats next. Fill in the gaps, mind the lines, three times a week is hardly cause for breaking out the champagne. Three times daily.....then talk. Otherwise the whole argument about.

"Kyoto"
"Carbon Footprint"
"Environment"
"Safety"

Is a fallacy. Because it merely gives trainspotters something to drool for at taxpayer expense, and I am deeply wary of some being involved in transport policy.

The reality is this. Nothing against railfreight, but it definitely needs to be privatised. The dead hand of the state sector prevented it finding new business. There was no ambition, no desire for profits, no desire for bonuses, no hunger. Infrastructure needs to be utilised to its maximum potential, and considering the relaying and resignalling that has taken place over the past 10 years, if further expansion is to be financed, privatisation or public private partnerships are the key. Its the best chance of bridging the operating deficit, and cross subsidising the passenger side of the operation. Thats the biggest risk - a belief that all the revenue can come from passenger. To operate at optimal levels, the historical revenue share needs to be 35% passenger, 65% freight. Thats not possible in Ireland because the Industrial base is not there to cause it, and never really was. There needs to be 5 or six core flows, and the potential supporting industries such as NET (Fertiliser), Cement, CSE (Sugar), gone. The growth sector is container traffic, ore, timber.

The decline - I suspect this was down to the accounting system used within CIE. It failed to take account of the synergy, the economies of scale, the......fact that while on an individual basis one item of Railfreight was a loss, collectively it made a profit. This was the kind of accounting strategy most notoriously used by British Rail. But because there are 56 Million citizens there (Britain), and 4 Million here (Ireland), 14 times as many 'eyes' watching skullduggery and deceit tends to have a strong deterrent effect when rational opinion is applied, rather than emotive argument. I am aware of the damage trucks CAN do, where used inappropriately, but there is also a lot of exaggeration and hyperbole from the pro railfreight faction. I'd take it seriously if their devotion was not concentrated in the counties of Mayo/Sligo, and this is an admitted bias on my part.

The targets for my implanted shoulder chips are CIE Management, who appear to be accountable to noone. They never sought out new business, an obvious one being Galmoy/Lisheen mine, where there is potential for the thrice daily heavy tonnage required for profitable freight operation.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe I am incorrect. Am I too harsh? Am I going to be told - you have no clue what its like on the ground?

Respect where it is due however, those who worked in the horrific weather conditions of 2009-2010 and its repeat this winter deserve every cent of their salary and more. Iarnrod Eireann gets the criticism it does because it is state owned, costs a lot to operate and build, and does not appear to be innovative. All of these are bad in times of economic prosperity, but in times of economic depression, a consistent lack of innovation is a licence to turn to competitors and say.

"Take it, we don't care, we get paid anyway, no matter what we do"

Imagine someone in the private trucking sector, the private bus sector observing all this. Then when they (CIE) do see a private competitor, they put him out of business on route X using taxpayers money to do so.....serious questions need to be asked.

shamwari

Dermo, I'm not going to waste my time giving the above rambling the sort of response it deserves.

But I will say one thing: if you or anyone else honestly believe that "trainspotters" are such a powerful lobby that they can command the Irish government to spend scare resources on pet projects for their (i.e. trainspotters) benefits then you are seriously deluded.

As I already said, it's time for you to move on.

dermo88

Put it to a poll on the board, and let public opinion decide. Thats my advice. You dismiss a logical reasoned response as "rambling". Then a short response as "tired old nonsense". May I ask what do you want please?

I attempted to use rationale, economics, comparisons with systems elsewhere. Now, may I ask what hidden agenda are you using?

Ireland is a small country, and consequently interest levels in this topic are reduced. It goes far down the priorities at election time, and to a degree - rightly so. The annual cost to the exchequer of operating Limerick to Galway (4 Million Euro), and Waterford to Limerick (700,000 Euro) if operated correctly are funds taken from pensioners, from schools, from hospitals and other higher priorities.

There are many hands out during the times of prosperity. There are even more during times of hardship.

During the economic restructuring required for Ireland, serious questions will be asked regarding all State services, including transport. I can guarantee that the knives will be out by Winter, and the closures of Limerick Junction to Waterford, Limerick to Ballybrophy and Manulla to Ballina are next, no matter how many votes it will cost on implementation in 2011, because the next election may not be until 2016.

I'd have been mad as hell before, but do you know.....if it saved the life and education of children, the weak, the poor and the pensioners, I'd say......go ahead.

shamwari

dermo88 wrote: »

Put it to a poll on the board, and let public opinion decide. Thats my advice. You dismiss a logical reasoned response as "rambling". Then a short response as "tired old nonsense". May I ask what do you want please?

I'd like to see an end to the ridiculous nonesense being peddled that one message board and a few trainspotters are being held up as pariahs for the wrongs of the railway. In fact, your rantings here are makes you little better than they are. The very notion that such a small group can control railways for their interest to the detriment of the entire nation is hilarious.

dermo88 wrote: »

I attempted to use rationale, economics, comparisons with systems elsewhere. Now, may I ask what hidden agenda are you using?

No agenda's Dermo. I'm just sick and tired of ridiculous comments which sometimes are peppered with personal bile being peddled as fact.

dermo88 wrote: »

I'd have been mad as hell before, but do you know.....if it saved the life and education of children, the weak, the poor and the pensioners, I'd say......go ahead.

Oh do spare us the amateur dramatics, will you? :rolleyes:

dermo88

1. Well, do you expect dozens of posters over the years who get banned from a website to sit back, accept their lies and sing Kumbayah?

2. If dissent was tolerated, then there would be no need for personal bile. It is not tolerated, and the fact is they'd sacrifice the Interconnector for the Western Rail Corridor. Rosslare to Waterford was sacrificed. Dublin to Navan is not even under construction. The evidence is clear. West first, Dublin eventually. Does that make sense?

3. Amateur dramatics with rolleyes. Thats the most professional remark I have seen in a while. What writing class did you attend recently to produce that remarkable piece of comedy?

DWCommuter

dermo88 wrote: »

1. Well, do you expect dozens of posters over the years who get banned from a website to sit back, accept their lies and sing Kumbayah?

2. If they could accept dissent, then there would be no need for personal bile.

3. Pot, Kettle, Black.

Exactly.

2. If they could accept dissent, then there would be no need for personal bile.

This is the key point that causes an awful lot of the trouble. I posted the following in a different thread and to little feedback.

So can the likes of myself and enthusiasts finally find some middle ground and debate on the basis that in this life we must respectfully accept that we don't all think alike and both sides have something to learn?

I know we are off topic here, but after a lot of rail threads that resulted in bans, crazy mods, new mods and even dedicated threads about why rail threads are nasty, at the end of the day we all have to get along to a degree and this can only happen if understanding comes into the equation. Personally I have found that free thinking in terms of railways has been incorrectly challenged by some enthusiasts. I myself have been vitriolic on many occasions so my hands are up. Where is the middle ground that can unite opinions without a war of words?

Note to mods: If you feel that a new thread should be created for this fair enough or alternatively let this one roll and see what happens.

I'm waving the peace flag!:D

monument

dermo88 wrote: »

During the economic restructuring required for Ireland, serious questions will be asked regarding all State services, including transport. I can guarantee that the knives will be out by Winter, and the closures of Limerick Junction to Waterford, Limerick to Ballybrophy and Manulla to Ballina are next, no matter how many votes it will cost on implementation in 2011, because the next election may not be until 2016.

Can't wait to see that happening. A Ballina-based Government TD along with a Castlebar-based leader and at least another TD. Going against the "people of the west" and multi-national companies in Ballina and Castlebar.

Popcorn. Loads of popcorn would be needed if FG ever closed the line or even passenger services.

dermo88 wrote: »

I'd have been mad as hell before, but do you know.....if it saved the life and education of children, the weak, the poor and the pensioners, I'd say......go ahead.

Should we stop maintaining motorways too until ever cent is spent of health and education?

dowlingm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The NIR 111 class are all currently stopped and out of serious action pending massive overhauls so they won't see service in the mid term at least.

Since when? That's not what the spotters say - 113 seen moving February 20th. In any case, if someone has the cash for a gantry in Derry I presume they have cash to fund overhauls.

Victor

DWCommuter wrote: »

I'm waving the peace flag!:D

Amen!

dowlingm

I'm willing to believe Dublin Port MIGHT be throwing away money in reactivating the port tracks but I don't think we can presume it is acting without expectation of continued business. A move towards more freight may also mean IE have given up on flogging the parked up 201s and a welcome realisation at IE HQ that assets in hand must be sweated (but not the Mark 3s, right Dick?)

Presumably since some of the existing flows to/from the west are probably just going from 3x to 4x weekly paths using existing rolling stock shouldn't be an issue in the short term but could eventually impinge on non-revenue pathings such as ballasting, training, deadheading 2700s Ballina-Limerick-Ballina etc.

The only other thing I can think of that might tempt NIR and IE into freight moves is some kind of EU slush fund for transfrontier freight.

Good to see IE are taking care of the important stuff -

The contract will require the tendering company to provide lean training and coaching in the principles and practices of lean to develop internal Iarnród Éireann lean leaders to reinforce and further develop lean principles and practices.

It's like something Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock might have written.

Losty Dublin

dowlingm wrote: »

Since when? That's not what the spotters say - 113 seen moving February 20th. In any case, if someone has the cash for a gantry in Derry I presume they have cash to fund overhauls.

That's about their first movements in months but good to hear

Neworder79

http://www.mayotoday.ie/index.php/browse-mayo-news-by-category/business/item/3201-big-boost-for-freight-services-at-ballina-railway-station.html

The opening of a new rail spur in Dublin Port gives a major boost to Ballina Railway Station with the news that IWT (international Warehousing and Transport) will increase its rail freight service between Ballina and Dublin Port from 4 to 5 trains per week . The expansion of the rail spur follows a €1.5 million investment made by Dublin Port Company.

The spur is 1.6 kilometres long, and the project took six months to complete.

IWT is the first customer of the new facility. The Ballina-based warehousing firm is a privately owned Irish logistics company.

The new rail spur facilitates access for rail freight to ship side at the Ocean Pier, eliminating the need for loading and unloading on Alexandra Road , and will improve the competitiveness of rail freight to/from Dublin Port.
IWT believe that the service will save up to 5.5million road kilometres every year and will reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 2,750 tonnes. The increased frequency in the service provides customers with a regular and reliable rail alternative delivering a superior product that will enhance Ireland’s contribution to the European Union’s modal shift aspirations from road to rail.

Crucial Hub

Ballina has become a crucial hub for this business, with Iarnród Éireann currently operating six trains per week between Ballina and Waterford Port for DFDS and eight trains per week between Ballina and Dublin Port for IWT, transporting ISO containers and tanks.

Volumes of pulpwood have also increased in recent years and are set to increase by upwards of 30% this year over last. Iarnród Éireann operates four trains per week – two each from Ballina and Westport to Waterford for Coillte, transporting 3m long logs for the Smartply factory outside Waterford, resulting in over 6,000 truck movements per annum being removed from the road.

corktina

good news,

Losty Dublin

Ballina is almost at 100% capacity at this rate now. As it is, they had to move timber trains to Westport to help it cope with the traffic levels.

Neworder79

Being opened by Minister Varadkar today, good to see some development in freight.

http://breakingnews.ie/business/varadkar-to-open-new-dublin-port-development-today-512596.html

Location map:
http://maps.google.ie/?ll=53.34594,-6.21191&spn=0.010004,0.024204&z=16

Judgement Day

And to think it's all down to CIE/IE's drive for new freight business. :rolleyes:

rainbowdash

Is there any plans by IWT to reinstate container traffic to Limerick, Cork or Galway does anybody know?

In Limericks case it wouldn't to be Colbert station but somewhere along the Foynes line near Raheen, close to the motorway network would seem to make sense.

Victor

Is someone exaggerating things or did they relay all the way back to East Wall yard? http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Alexandra+Rd&daddr=Ocean+Pier&hl=en&sll=53.347605,-6.215773&sspn=0.014526,0.033088&geocode=FWARLgMd1iyh_w%3BFdf9LQMdrjeh_w&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=15&dirflg=w&t=h&z=15

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=1164

New €1.5 million Dublin Port Rail Spur Gives Further Boost to Rail Frieght Business by Corporate Communications

Wednesday 13th July

Irish Exporters welcome investment as IWT Ballina-Dublin rail freight become first customer of new facility.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD today marked the opening of a new rail spur in Dublin Port, set to enhance the competitiveness of rail freight for Dublin Port and Iarnród Éireann customers.

The expansion of the rail spur follows a €1.5 million investment made by Dublin Port Company. The spur is 1.6 kilometres long, and the project took six months to complete.

The new rail spur facilitates access for rail freight to ship side at the Ocean Pier, eliminating the need for loading and unloading on Alexandra Road , and will improve the competitiveness of rail freight to/from Dublin Port.

The first customer of the new facility is IWT (international Warehousing and Transport), a privately owned Irish logistics company, and it is expected that the current IWT service will increase from 4 to 5 trains per week in each direction in the coming weeks as a result of this investment. IWT believe that the service will save up to 5.5million road kilometres every year and will reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 2,750 tonnes. The increased frequency in the service provides customers with a regular and reliable rail alternative delivering a superior product that will enhance Ireland’s contribution to the European Union’s modal shift aspirations from road to rail.

The project represents a true public private partnership between Dublin Port Company, Iarnród Éireann and IWT, and it is also open to other Shipping Companies or bulk carriers to avail of this new rail facility in Dublin Port. Iarnród Éireann will seek new rail freight customers for train load point to point business. The Irish Exporters Association have welcomed the new development.

Speaking at the opening, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar TD said: ‘I welcome this important investment by Dublin Port Company in its rail network. It will further enhance the attractiveness of the port as a destination for rail-based freight. The project represents a commitment on the part of Dublin Port Company and Iarnród Éireann to customers who want to move goods by rail’.

Speaking at the launch of Dublin Port Company’s new rail spur, Mr. Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive Dublin Port Company said: “This investment by Dublin Port Company underpins the rail freight operation started by IWT in August 2009. At this stage IWT is operating five round trips per week to Ballina and I am hopeful they will expand their service offerings to other locations around the country. The co-operation between Dublin Port Company, Iarnród Éireann and IWT shows how private sector and public sector companies can work together. Dublin Port has always had excellent connections to the national rail network and it is wonderful to see viable commercial container rail freight services linking Dublin to an ever expanding hinterland”.

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Dick Fearn said “The expansion of the Dublin Port Rail Spur is an example of state agencies working together to improve the competitiveness of rail freight, and for the benefit of commercial customers. We in Iarnród Éireann will build on a resurgence in rail freight to seek to attract more freight customers to our services, highlighting the benefits this new spur will bring to the costs and competitiveness of transporting by rail, in addition to the environmental advantages.”

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) said: “The completion of the rail link connecting the Common User Terminal in Dublin Port with the national rail network is a major milestone in the development of an internationally competitive range of freight options for Irish manufacturing Exporters”. “Dublin and Waterford Ports can now offer Exporters and the Shipping Lines that serve them European standard transport links and the Association looks forward to working with them, Iarnród Éireann and others to develop a twenty-first century distribution system that is fully compliant with developing EU Transport Policy.”

Iarnród Éireann rail freight customers Boliden/Tara Mines already exports 400,000 tonnes of lead and zinc concentrate through Dublin Port annually, with fifteen trains per week operating from the mine to Dublin Port.

LXFlyer

It certainly sounds like there is a slight exaggeration - the newly laid section is from just beyond the Tara Mines siding on the Alexandra Road into the Ocean Pier - unless they're counting all the sidings that are included down there (how many there are I don't know).

Hungerford

Victor wrote: »

Is someone exaggerating things or did they relay all the way back to East Wall yard?

Apparently, the new line turns right just after the Tara Mines terminal, continues down Branch Road instead of Alexandra Road. If that is the case and it is double tracked, then figure would be right.

Victor

You can see the new(ish) track on OpenStreetMap here: http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/53.34911/-6.21521 Some of the older track that still exists (some completely cut off from the network) are also shown. OSM doesn't include features that no longer exist.

I took a look at an Ordnance Survey map from about 1990 and this spur somewhat replicates defunct spurs.