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DFDS Logistics returns to the railway

The_Wanderer · 2013-02-27 20:47:37

Evening folks, It's turning into busy week so far. Today was no different. The Container Pocket Wagons (CPW's) have been receiving maintenance at Limerick Wagon Works in preparation for the DFDS Liner returning to the railway. The train is planned to operate twice a week each way using the CPW's thus taking them over new…

Comments

#62 19-03-2013 08:06AM

LXFlyer

Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 19,310 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: January 2011

Posts: 19120

Richard Logue wrote: »

There's clearly local support for the restoration of the Mullingar-Athlone line...but another cycleway scheme seems to be proposed for a section of it.

http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2013/03/12/4014880-cycleway-would-mean-end-of-the-line-for-mullingarathlone-trains/

I have no doubt if the Mullingar-Athlone line were reopened the journey time for Westport/Ballina and Galway trains would be reduced. The issue is, as always, capacity at Connolly to handle the extra traffic.

But would the Docklands station be a useful terminal? It's no more remote than Heuston is and the Luas isn't too far away.

Trains could be alternated between Heuston via Portarlington and Docklands via Mullingar.

I wouldn't be so sure about your bold claim on journey times.

Heuston-Athlone takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes currently.

Connolly-Mullingar takes 1 hour 10 minutes.

Mullingar-Athlone is 28 miles, which would probably mean a journey time of about 25 minutes, allowing for a stop at Moate. Then you add in reversal times at Athlone (if even allowed) and it's approaching 1 hour 40 minutes. Hardly an improvement is it?

Add to that fact the problem that its single track for far longer, with fewer loops, and a more congested double track section as you approach Dublin and the attractiveness dilutes all the more.

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