Navan Rail Line

goingnowhere

It was built for 2, but only a single track was laid, all the bridges are two tracks wide

thosewhoknow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123501510#Comment_123501510

I was talking of the underpass at Bective, it’s quite overgrown these days but it is in place for when the track is extended.

Sam Russell

Do not forget the bridge over the Boyne in Drogheda is single track.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123502915#Comment_123502915

Drogheda Navan line junction is South of the bridge.

Sam Russell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123503027#Comment_123503027

I know that but the Northern Line is single track on that bridge and always has been. The Drogheda station is north of the bridge. So will a Navan Drogheda service (if it ever happens) have to reverse to get over the bridge, or will they have a Drogheda South solution.

riddlinrussell

I'd say we are pretty distant from anyone even calling for a Navan/Drogheda service. It only gets raised now as a possible alternative to a direct line and is then immediately dismissed.

I could see it as a possible thing in a fully rejuvenated rail first Ireland where a new east-west route through the North Midlands was desirable, but we are a long way from something like that.

Glaceon

Drogheda station is south of the viaduct so that wouldn’t directly come into play. It’s theoretically possible but capacity on the northern line is a problem, as well as the need for a new platform on that side (although I think there’s plans for one for the DART). Journey times from Navan to Dublin via Drogheda wouldn’t be competitive I’d imagine.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123504580#Comment_123504580

No, Drogheda station is not North of the bridge

PlatformNine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123504607#Comment_123504607

The way I could see passenger services routed on the Navan-Drogheda line was if the Kingscourt-Navan line was by some miracle reinstated. However I don't think that could happen before four-tracking due to track capacity and otherwise long journey times.

That said I don't see the line being reinstated. I just don't see there being demand for it.

thosewhoknow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123504580#Comment_123504580

The track on the viaduct was formerly double-tracked until the central span was replaced in the 1930s with a narrower structure.

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123505015#Comment_123505015

Judging by Dublin Port’s shenanigans lately, I could see that line becoming a greenway in a few years.

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123505015#Comment_123505015

Or reinstate the Navan-Kingscourt and continue it to Carrickmacross and then follow the old disused line to Dundalk.

Build a few hundred homes at each station site and you have a some commuter traffic to/from Navan/Dublin/Dundalk.

Also a diversion route if there is a blockage on the Dundalk/Dublin line.

PlatformNine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123508254#Comment_123508254

Honestly that aside the Navan line already could put Drogheda-Navan at risk. A (potentially) electrified and twin-track line guaranteed to be rated for at least 100km/h if not more (Where the line to Drogheda is only rated for 40km/h) would massively improve freight services between Tara mines and Dublin Port. It would also likely make further investment into the Drogheda-Navan line more difficult and they may even choose to mothball the line, athough I would hope they wouldn't lift the track.

However I don't disagree with what you say about Dublin Port. In general I think DPC need to be put in their place a bit in regards to rail freight, as if it were up to them everything would be moved by road and with the massive new container terminal they want to build that just isn't sustainable.

PlatformNine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123508346#Comment_123508346

That would be a good option for the future, however I still think reopening the line to Kingscourt would already be a stretch let alone Carrickmacross, even if it "just" an extra 10km. The towns at the moment are just too small to warrant it and it would be a difficult extension.

If there is a line from Navan to be rebuilt, I think its more likely to see the line extended to kells. It's closer and larger than any of the other towns. There is also the option of running the route along the M3 which would make it much cheaper and minimise the CPO required. But again I still struggle to see this lines being reopened.