Least used sections in the country?

jasper100

Just curious as to which sections are used the least?

(Not including scheduled passenger services)

The south Wexford gets sprayed once a year, Navan see intermittent freight services, are there any unusual sections or sidings that only see occasional movements?

L1011

There was a raoltour last year of rarely used sections. M3 parkway headshunt has to be up there

In hundreds of times using the station I've only used platform 2 in Docklands once

L1011

Found some details of that tour: https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2018/Branch-Line-Society-The-Faireview-Failte-Sunday-6th-May-2018/i-7ZRVZf9

goingnowhere

From a passenger point of view its the bypass track at Cork Kent which allows a train to go around the station and not through it, the P10 line at Heuston is another strange one.

Bar M3 Parkway and the Bray centre almost all routes are daily or regular use as IE has timetabled trains to use the loops at Ballybrophy, Limerick Junc and Charleville. The Newcommen Curve will be used heavily next weekend and the bay at Bray gets used a fair bit.

Until fairly recently there was a very unique platform on the network, you could depart from it but never arrive as a passenger

IE 222

jasper100 wrote: »

Just curious as to which sections are used the least?

(Not including scheduled passenger services)

The south Wexford gets sprayed once a year, Navan see intermittent freight services, are there any unusual sections or sidings that only see occasional movements?

Very little these days. Waterford - Belview is probably the only one left but that apart of the South Wexford. Plenty of sidings around that would see very little or no use.

Navan would be a bit more than intermittent.

IE 222

goingnowhere wrote: »

From a passenger point of view its the bypass track at Cork Kent which allows a train to go around the station and not through it, the P10 line at Heuston is another strange one.

Bar M3 Parkway and the Bray centre almost all routes are daily or regular use as IE has timetabled trains to use the loops at Ballybrophy, Limerick Junc and Charleville. The Newcommen Curve will be used heavily next weekend and the bay at Bray gets used a fair bit.

Until fairly recently there was a very unique platform on the network, you could depart from it but never arrive as a passenger

What scheduled trains use the loops at Charleville and Ballybrophy.

Is the loop at the old Athlone station ever used.

Jamie2k9

IE 222 wrote: »

What scheduled trains use the loops at Charleville and Ballybrophy.

Is the loop at the old Athlone station ever used.

One of the Limerick evening use the loop in Ballybrophy. I think the 15.30.

Old Athlone station loop has freight.

The siding next to P2 in Kilkenny has very little if any use even by Per Way. Only usage I can recall is an ICR dumped there while waiting to get repaired.

Athy sidings are another, there days may be numbered.

jasper100

Thanks, very little peculiarities left it seems.

Jamie2k9

goingnowhere wrote: »

Until fairly recently there was a very unique platform on the network, you could depart from it but never arrive as a passenger

Dun Laoghaire?

uberwolf

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Dun Laoghaire?

I've arrived and departed all 3, so no (unless there's a hidden 4th)

Jamie2k9

uberwolf wrote: »

I've arrived and departed all 3, so no (unless there's a hidden 4th)

Suspected as much, knew services departed from it but wasn't sure about arrivals.

goingnowhere

Its not Dun Laoghaire you could arrive and depart 3 until last year and 15 years ago arrive and depart 4 until it was filled in to extend 3.

IE 222

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

One of the Limerick evening use the loop in Ballybrophy. I think the 15.30.

Old Athlone station loop has freight.

The siding next to P2 in Kilkenny has very little if any use even by Per Way. Only usage I can recall is an ICR dumped there while waiting to get repaired.

Athy sidings are another, there days may be numbered.

Does the freight not use Platform 3 in current Athlone station. Wouldn't of thought a freight would fit it the Old station loop.

What requires a Limerick train to use the loop. There nearly a 30min gap between them and cork trains.

Thurles, Tullamore, Enfield, Mullingar, Wexford, Rathdrum loads of places with sidings. Think a lot of them act as catch points as well and will probably remain.

Stovepipe

Waterford to Limerick, just two a day, if that.

IE 222

goingnowhere wrote: »

.

Until fairly recently there was a very unique platform on the network, you could depart from it but never arrive as a passenger

Waterford P2

Jamie2k9

IE 222 wrote: »

Does the freight not use Platform 3 in current Athlone station. Wouldn't of thought a freight would fit it the Old station loop.

What requires a Limerick train to use the loop. There nearly a 30min gap between them and cork trains.

Thurles, Tullamore, Enfield, Mullingar, Wexford, Rathdrum loads of places with sidings. Think a lot of them act as catch points as well and will probably remain.

Athlone loop has saw freight usage, not sure on specifics but not unusual to have two freight trains there.

Those other sidings would have Per Way usage.

IE 222

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Athlone loop has saw freight usage, not sure on specifics but not unusual to have two freight trains there.

Those other sidings would have Per Way usage.

Maybe timbers and pockets would fit it.

Rarely used though.

Tralee had sidings filled flats last time i was there. Not sure when or how often they are moved.

Under His Eye

There are daily rusty rail movements all over the network. So most loops would see at least one daily movement.

man98

IE 222 wrote: »

Thurles, Tullamore, Enfield, Mullingar, Wexford, Rathdrum loads of places with sidings. Think a lot of them act as catch points as well and will probably remain.

I know that two of Wexford's sidings see infrequent permanent way use, the one closest the platform is used for dropping off ballast and the one furthest is rarely used for storage of trains. I would presume they keep them there in case they decide to cut the line out to Rosslare Harbour and trains need to be stored overnight.

Rosslare Strand's northbound platform is all but decommissioned at this stage, I believe the points were disconnected on the Wexford end so the platform can only be used for Rosslare Harbour to Waterford movements. I believe Enniscorthy's northbound platform was used once per day for an empty stock movement until December - the 17.33 service to Wexford passed the 18.33 service to Rosslare here. Since December the 17.33 goes to Rosslare and the 18.33 terminates in Wexford so I don't believe there is any scheduled passing here. Arklow's northbound platform is also out of use I believe.

The pass around Cork Kent sees a service once per day I think, I've seen a 2600 Class use it at around 17.00 there before, I presume it's a Cobh - Mallow service. Platform 3 at Thurles is only used for permanent way and TRVs - I've seen both in there on different occasions.

All passing loops on Limerick Junction - Waterford see rare use, I can't recall any time I have seen them used and the one in Carrick was removed a number of years ago.

tabbey

goingnowhere wrote: »

Until fairly recently there was a very unique platform on the network, you could depart from it but never arrive as a passenger

The back plaform at Drogheda?

GerardKeating

Manulla Junction is perhaps also unique.

You may get on/off a train, but you can never leave the station (in theory)

Losty Dublin

goingnowhere wrote: »

Until fairly recently there was a very unique platform on the network, you could depart from it but never arrive as a passenger

It's not to do with some early bird out of Midleton, was it?

goingnowhere

The old P3/5 at Pearse was never signalled for arrivals, but was signalled for departures and had a weekday scheduled DART service about 13 years ago.

metrovick001

"Navan see intermittent freight services".......whaaaaatttt?
Navan-Drogheda carriest the greatest tonnage of freight on the island.

Jamie2k9

man98 wrote: »

I know that two of Wexford's sidings see infrequent permanent way use, the one closest the platform is used for dropping off ballast and the one furthest is rarely used for storage of trains. I would presume they keep them there in case they decide to cut the line out to Rosslare Harbour and trains need to be stored overnight.

Rosslare Strand's northbound platform is all but decommissioned at this stage, I believe the points were disconnected on the Wexford end so the platform can only be used for Rosslare Harbour to Waterford movements. I believe Enniscorthy's northbound platform was used once per day for an empty stock movement until December - the 17.33 service to Wexford passed the 18.33 service to Rosslare here. Since December the 17.33 goes to Rosslare and the 18.33 terminates in Wexford so I don't believe there is any scheduled passing here. Arklow's northbound platform is also out of use I believe.

The pass around Cork Kent sees a service once per day I think, I've seen a 2600 Class use it at around 17.00 there before, I presume it's a Cobh - Mallow service. Platform 3 at Thurles is only used for permanent way and TRVs - I've seen both in there on different occasions.

All passing loops on Limerick Junction - Waterford see rare use, I can't recall any time I have seen them used and the one in Carrick was removed a number of years ago.

The points at Rosslare Strand disconnected or just scotched. The signal cabin needs to be active to signal movements onto Waterford and as its off all other times so it could be a signalling reason why the northbound platform cannot be used while the cabin is off.

Surprised by Arklow platform is it due to length, suspect it could be operational from a points prospective.

Losty Dublin

man98 wrote: »

Rosslare Strand's northbound platform is all but decommissioned at this stage, I believe the points were disconnected on the Wexford end so the platform can only be used for Rosslare Harbour to Waterford movements.

Trains can cross and use both platforms at Rosslare Strand to and from Dublin. Only the one platform has access for the Waterford route. The double points was removed in 1973, and indirectly led to a crash at the station in 1974

man98

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Trains can cross and use both platforms at Rosslare Strand to and from Dublin. Only the one platform has access for the Waterford route. The double points was removed in 1973, and indirectly led to a crash at the station in 1974

I was told by a source in IÉ that they were disconnected for the line to Dublin, though I'd imagine that Jamie2k9 could be right on them being controlled through the Rosslare cabin - might have been due to Rosslare Strand losing its staff. I believe last time both platforms were in use was 2009 - there was a southbound train from Enniscorthy to Rosslare Harbour 3 days a week which passed the Rosslare Harbour - Waterford service there, not to say that it's definitely been decommissioned since.

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

The points at Rosslare Strand disconnected or just scotched. The signal cabin needs to be active to signal movements onto Waterford and as its off all other times so it could be a signalling reason why the northbound platform cannot be used while the cabin is off.

Surprised by Arklow platform is it due to length, suspect it could be operational from a points prospective.

The platform at Arklow is non operational but I'm fairly certain it's still completely operational in theory. It'd be shortsighted on IÉ's behalf not to have a passing loop between Rathdrum and Gorey, especially given increased demand on southern commuter services.

realitykeeper

The least used railways are the places that receive the least amount of infrastructure investment by the government. For population growth, a rural area needs not just a railway and good motorway connections, but 4G broadband, a good electricity, water and sewage infrastructure. It would need well organized local government facilities with clear and precise laws on planning and zoning without any leeway for corruption. An area needs incentives like access to piped gas and ideally subsidized gas for industry for the first few years. Once the industry and spin offs are established, the population will need far more trains for these least used routes.

GM228

man98 wrote: »

I was told by a source in IÉ that they were disconnected for the line to Dublin, though I'd imagine that Jamie2k9 could be right on them being controlled through the Rosslare cabin - might have been due to Rosslare Strand losing its staff. I believe last time both platforms were in use was 2009 - there was a southbound train from Enniscorthy to Rosslare Harbour 3 days a week which passed the Rosslare Harbour - Waterford service there, not to say that it's definitely been decommissioned since.

Both platforms at the Strand are operational and controlled from Greystones and have had trains on both platforms several times each year including 2018.

The old cabin requires to be switched in to allow a train towards Waterford.

man98 wrote: »

The platform at Arklow is non operational but I'm fairly certain it's still completely operational in theory. It'd be shortsighted on IÉ's behalf not to have a passing loop between Rathdrum and Gorey, especially given increased demand on southern commuter services.

Again it is fully operational and can and has been used to cross late running trains.

demanufactured

IE 222 wrote: »

Maybe timbers and pockets would fit it.

Rarely used though.

Tralee had sidings filled flats last time i was there. Not sure when or how often they are moved.

Athlone Midlands loop actually gets used more than you'd think.
I live right beside it.

Ireland trains

Is mullingar terminus platform ever used?
I think the 07:35 Dub-Galway (M-T) connects with a train to westport at athlone which use's the loop. Could be wrong though.
Hopeful when new trains arrive IE might start a commuter service to arklow or extend some DART (bi mode) to wicklow.

Johnny Red Cab

Rosslare Strand box is now only a panel inside the old parcels office.

http://www.irrs.ie/Journal167/167%20Rosslare.htm

goingnowhere

Ireland trains wrote: »

Is mullingar terminus platform ever used?

We got a winner for the most pointless expenditure of all time.

There were plans for the Connolly - Mullingar evening service which would return to Dublin and then run a late service back to Longford but the short sighted local politicians demanded the peak hour continue to Longford and so it came to nothing.

The real question is why not use the Galway platform and saves us all the walk? Would have been cheaper to setup.

tabbey

goingnowhere wrote: »

The real question is why not use the Galway platform and saves us all the walk? Would have been cheaper to setup.

The former up Galway plaform is semi-derelict. IR would be afraid of being sued by some waster claiming to have been injured.

Jamie2k9

Ireland trains wrote: »

Is mullingar terminus platform ever used?
I think the 07:35 Dub-Galway (M-T) connects with a train to westport at athlone which use's the loop. Could be wrong though.
Hopeful when new trains arrive IE might start a commuter service to arklow or extend some DART (bi mode) to wicklow.

There is 3 platforms in Athlone and another loop West of the main station at the old one which is known as midland loop.

Jamie2k9

tabbey wrote: »

The former up Galway plaform is semi-derelict. IR would be afraid of being sued by some waster claiming to have been injured.

Its only been officially out of use since October 2016 not sure if its status has changed.

demanufactured

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

There is 3 platforms in Athlone and another loop West of the main station at the old one which is known as midland loop.

We're only referring to midland loop.

Jamie2k9

demanufactured wrote: »

We're only referring to midland loop.

Yes I was pointing that out to the poster.

IE 222

demanufactured wrote: »

Athlone Midlands loop actually gets used more than you'd think.
I live right beside it.

Really, is it mainly freight or passenger services using it. Is it scheduled to be used or just for late running services.

IE 222

Ireland trains wrote: »

Is mullingar terminus platform ever used?
I think the 07:35 Dub-Galway (M-T) connects with a train to westport at athlone which use's the loop. Could be wrong though.
Hopeful when new trains arrive IE might start a commuter service to arklow or extend some DART (bi mode) to wicklow.

Think the Galway splits in Athlone and remaining set goes to Westport. Well it use to anyway.