Limerick - Nenagh - Ballybrophy railway

Isambard

91wx763 wrote: »

There's overlap discussion of this in the photo thread which is worth reading alongside. https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056341985&page=214

more quality shots from the Wanderer. That guy deserves a medal.

91wx763

Isambard wrote: »

more quality shots from the Wanderer. That guy deserves a medal.

Agreed about the photos but I meant that in between Wanderers posts there are good posts about Ballybrophy's silly signals !!!!

The_Wanderer

Isambard wrote: »

more quality shots from the Wanderer. That guy deserves a medal.

Feel free to throw one my way

Isambard

The_Wanderer wrote: »

Feel free to throw one my way

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FBhLQt9dCYAALZdW.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fcanalstblues%2Fstatus%2F437641601809014784&tbnid=phaAN7dqTebdrM&vet=12ahUKEwjekrKfwZnoAhXKUBUIHdCJAGsQMygCegUIARD3AQ..i&docid=R264Tkqejx07oM&w=293&h=450&q=muttley%20medals&ved=2ahUKEwjekrKfwZnoAhXKUBUIHdCJAGsQMygCegUIARD3AQ

GerardKeating

This line is closing on sunday, due to service reductions related to COVID-19.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

GerardKeating wrote: »

This line is closing on sunday, due to service reductions related to COVID-19.

Limerick Junction to Waterford is the same.... Just a temporary measure yes?

Del.Monte

I'm sure that suits IE's closure agenda nicely. The line seems to be closed more often than it's open these days.

tabbey

GerardKeating wrote: »

This line is closing on sunday, due to service reductions related to COVID-19.

Is it just closed on Sundays? or closed from Monday for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis?

The_Wanderer

Service is suspended while the emergency timetable is in place.

A few pictures from the Nenagh evening branch train today and loadings appeared to be very light.

Click https://bit.ly/3dxxjW9 to view.

L1011

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Limerick Junction to Waterford is the same.... Just a temporary measure yes?

For an undefined concept of temporary.

I would not expect it to reopen.

Isambard

L1011 wrote: »

For an undefined concept of temporary.

I would not expect it to reopen.

I fear I'm with you on that opinion.

Lord Glentoran

L1011 wrote: »

For an undefined concept of temporary.

I would not expect it to reopen.

The NTA will pop their corks at that.

end of the road

Lord Glentoran wrote: »

The NTA will pop their corks at that.

no doubt about it i would say.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

I would strongly encourage you all to contact local councillors and TD's regarding this - - Irish rail would no doubt love to quietly wash their hands of the line in future if we're not careful.

https://waterford-news.ie/2020/05/20/waterford-to-limerick-junction-rail-service-to-be-restored-in-time/#.XsZTBxjTUwB

Curb Your Enthusiasm

This and the Lmk Junc-Waterford line are still not operating since March... Can't even book tickets til the end of August.

Really sad to see Irish Rail show such disregard for two underused railway lines. No doubt they'd rather have them closed completely.

Could easily be a good commuter and tourism potential there if they were given a usable timetable and promoted more.

Even the station buildings are being left to rot. Historic 1860's footbridges closed off or badly rusted.

Just sad.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

https://twitter.com/IrishRail/status/1291448880006135810?s=19

Not sure what they mean by this but I wouldn't put it past them at this stage to use Covid as an excuse to shut the Ballybrophy - Lmk and Waterford - Lmk lines completely.

Del.Monte

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

https://twitter.com/IrishRail/status/1291448880006135810?s=19

Not sure what they mean by this but I wouldn't put it past them at this stage to use Covid as an excuse to shut the Ballybrophy - Lmk and Waterford - Lmk lines completely.

Did they let their true intentions slip there? Combine that with illogical track work currently underway on the Nenagh branch.......

Jamie2k9

Del.Monte wrote: »

Did they let their true intentions slip there? Combine that with illogical track work currently underway on the Nenagh branch.......

No they didn't. Both are in the journey planner from 30 August.

Working class heroes

Del.Monte wrote: »

Did they let their true intentions slip there? Combine that with illogical track work currently underway on the Nenagh branch.......

What illogical track work?

Working class heroes

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

No they didn't. Both are in the journey planner from 30 August.

Yep, heard something similar today myself....

goingnowhere

Classic CIE game of spending big bucks on repairs and then closing the line just afterwards.

Working class heroes

goingnowhere wrote: »

Classic CIE game of spending big bucks on repairs and then closing the line just afterwards.

But the line isn't closing. See previous posts.

Del.Monte

Working class heroes wrote: »

What illogical track work?

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=114245402&postcount=3302

Working class heroes

Del.Monte wrote: »

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=114245402&postcount=3302

And what’s your point. How is this work illogical?
You might have an opinion that this work is illogical but that’s all it is, an opinion. Just because you think it doesn’t make it a fact.

lostweekend3

Really hope this line remains open. I think it will. Recent track works give us hope.

Isambard

lostweekend3 wrote: »

Really hope this line remains open. I think it will. Recent track works give us hope.

I noticed a track machine at work on the other threatened line (near Carrick on Suir)

tabbey

Isambard wrote: »

I noticed a track machine at work on the other threatened line (near Carrick on Suir)

That is good to hear.
Of course much routine work is done by machine. Last year I saw a tractor cutting (mutilating) the hedge at Carrick on Suir, right up to the level crossing gates

Limpy

Could the line operate a small regional type train like in EU countries. With added access and more stops. It passes through Annacotty Which has a big population and loads of Jobs nearby. Add a stop there and maybe at the city East side.

loyatemu

Limpy wrote: »

Could the line operate a small regional type train like in EU countries. With added access and more stops. It passes through Annacotty Which has a big population and loads of Jobs nearby. Add a stop there and maybe at the city East side.

it's already a 2 car railcar isn't it?

end of the road

loyatemu wrote: »

it's already a 2 car railcar isn't it?

yes

Limpy

loyatemu wrote: »

it's already a 2 car railcar isn't it?

Yes 2 old school ones. The European ones are similar size but more modern, to fit bikes and standing passengers ect.

IE 222

Limpy wrote: »

Yes 2 old school ones. The European ones are similar size but more modern, to fit bikes and standing passengers ect.

There no shortage of space on them there is plenty of room.

Limpy

It needs more stops. Cant it functions efficiently like a luas?

IE 222

More stops where?

What it needs is a timetable change and a couple more services along with infrastructure improvements such as line speed increases. Ideally the route should be served by Portlaoise depot in my opinion as the bulk of users would be commuting in and out Limerick.

Limpy

IE 222 wrote: »

More stops where?

What it needs is a timetable change and a couple more services along with infrastructure improvements such as line speed increases. Ideally the route should be served by Portlaoise depot in my opinion as the bulk of users would be commuting in and out Limerick.

Servicing Limerick city. Add a stop near the M7 /old Dublin road junction, Annacotty business park, Moonaleen, Eastway business park.

Deedsie

IE 222 wrote: »

More stops where?

What it needs is a timetable change and a couple more services along with infrastructure improvements such as line speed increases. Ideally the route should be served by Portlaoise depot in my opinion as the bulk of users would be commuting in and out Limerick.

100% agree with this. The end of the line East to West should be Portlaoise to Limerick. Ballybrophy being the end of the line is one of the reasons the line is struggling.

Speed increases between Nenagh and Limerick are badly needed too, investment in upgrading the line more than upkeep and maintenance is badly required. An annacotty or UL station would make a lot of sense.

IE 222

Limpy wrote: »

Servicing Limerick city. Add a stop near the M7 /old Dublin road junction, Annacotty business park, Moonaleen, Eastway business park.

Apart of some Limerick rail network yes but not for the Neagh line.

IE 222

Deedsie wrote: »

100% agree with this. The end of the line East to West should be Portlaoise to Limerick. Ballybrophy being the end of the line is one of the reasons the line is struggling.

Speed increases between Nenagh and Limerick are badly needed too, investment in upgrading the line more than upkeep and maintenance is badly required. An annacotty or UL station would make a lot of sense.

Again unless there is a major investment been made in the Limerick region rail network I can't see any major improvements coming anytime soon.

To serve UL the line would need to be rerouted. Line speed improvements up to consistent 50/60 mph running should be easily achievable without major improvement works.

AngryLips

What would the journey times be like if you routed Dublin-Limerick services via this line? Would it be competitive?

IE 222

AngryLips wrote: »

What would the journey times be like if you routed Dublin-Limerick services via this line? Would it be competitive?

3 hours give or take 10mins depending on stopping pattern between Portlaoise and Dublin.

Rulmeq

IE 222 wrote: »

3 hours give or take 10mins depending on stopping pattern between Portlaoise and Dublin.

How long, if they straightened, removed all the crossings, (possibly double tracked), and upgraded it to the same quality track as the Cork line?

Markcheese

Double tracking ? If you got the time down on the ballybrophy / limerick section would you need it double tracked , ?
Would there be much benefit to limerick people ( or any to Irish rail ) to travel via nenagh rather than limerick junction )

IE 222

Rulmeq wrote: »

How long, if they straightened, removed all the crossings, (possibly double tracked), and upgraded it to the same quality track as the Cork line?

No need to go to all that expense.

There isn't much difference between the 2 lines, going via the jct is only about an extra 5 miles in distance compared going via Neangh. Once you factor in the less stops via the jct and when using the curve that line will always be the quickest route. It would be an awful lot cheaper, quicker and more beneficial to bump Limerick - JCT to 90mph and double tracking. That would shave about 10mins of the current direct services.

The branch will always be a branch but that doesn't mean it can't have direct Dub - Lim services. Its main purpose is to serve the local towns rather than serve as a second "express" line between the 2.

I think a journey time of 2.5 hours city - city would be acceptable, (passengers from Limerick would travel via jct so really its Castleconnell - Dublin 2hrs 10mins roughly). Get the line up to a 60mph limit and remove the Ballybrophy bay with a direct route to the main line and this is easily achievable.

Rulmeq

IE 222 wrote: »

It would be an awful lot cheaper, quicker and more beneficial to bump Limerick - JCT to 90mph and double tracking. That would shave about 10mins of the current direct services.

I've never understood why this hasn't been done already. Are there a lot of level crossings, or expensive lands they can't purchase along the line?

IE 222 wrote: »

The branch will always be a branch but that doesn't mean it can't have direct Dub - Lim services. Its main purpose is to serve the local towns

Faster, double tracking would also serve them better (but there's other lines that would need upgrading long before this line)

IE 222 wrote: »

rather than serve as a second "express" line between the 2.

I'm a great believer in redundancy, but I guess bus replacements are fine for the size of Ireland.

IE 222 wrote: »

I think a journey time of 2.5 hours city - city would be acceptable

I strongly disagree, I can drive it in just over 2 hours (I do it in less, because I'm not leaving from Dublin), intercity trains should always beat cars. We've figured out that our roads didn't have to follow their ancient paths, why are we unable to figure out that rail lines don't have to follow their victorian paths either.

IE 222

Rulmeq wrote: »

I've never understood why this hasn't been done already. Are there a lot of level crossings, or expensive lands they can't purchase along the line?



Faster, double tracking would also serve them better (but there's other lines that would need upgrading long before this line)


I'm a great believer in redundancy, but I guess bus replacements are fine for the size of Ireland.


I strongly disagree, I can drive it in just over 2 hours (I do it in less, because I'm not leaving from Dublin), intercity trains should always beat cars. We've figured out that our roads didn't have to follow their ancient paths, why are we unable to figure out that rail lines don't have to follow their victorian paths either.

Doubling Limerick - Jct is apart of long term plans. The level of traffic doesn't quite justify it just yet. There was talk of a freight flow from a potential mine, not sure where that stands currently. I believe doubling the line would be apart of receiving this flow. No point wasting money upgrading speeds if its potentially going to pulled apart again for doubling. Can't see land been a problem. About a 1/4 of the line is already doubled if you include the loops and double tracking around the jct ect.

Again I can't see the benefit of doubling Neangh line. Galway, Waterford, Sligo all single track with higher frequency and able to cope. The branch will never see demand of 20 plus trains a day and if it did its only a 52 mile or so section and will have passing loops if needs be, at stations.

I think 2 and a bit hours is reasonable to be honest giving it's not a main line. Obviously over the years infrastructure been removed or upgraded on other lines such as automated LC, track, could be recycled and reused on the line, as is the case currently, which will naturally speed things up and bring the journey times down without major upgrade works.

Other than straightening the line at Borris in Ossory to run direct to the main line and avoid Ballybrophy altogether I don't see where else you can or need to reroute the line to. It needs to serve the towns it does or else its pointless using it.

Rulmeq

IE 222 wrote: »

Other than straightening the line at Borris in Ossory to run direct to the main line and avoid Ballybrophy altogether I don't see where else you can or need to reroute the line to. It needs to serve the towns it does or else its pointless using it.

I like that idea - could put a station in Borris instead of Ballybprophy and have the next stop in Portlaois (it solves all the difficult crossings they have at Ballybrophy as well)

IE 222

Rulmeq wrote: »

I like that idea - could put a station in Borris instead of Ballybprophy and have the next stop in Portlaois (it solves all the difficult crossings they have at Ballybrophy as well)

That alone would knock about 10mins off the journey but would be costly enough.

seekers

Tuesday October 27th to Sunday November 15th
Due to engineering works the Limerick to Ballybrophy Line will be closed from Tuesday October 27th to Sunday November 15th  inclusive.
The following train services will not operate for the duration of the engineering works:
06:30hrs Limerick to Ballybrophy (Monday to Saturday)
10:05hrs Ballybrophy to Limerick (Monday to Saturday)
16:55hrs Limerick to Ballybrophy (Monday to Saturday)
19:05hrs Ballybrophy to Limerick (Monday to Saturday)
17:20hrs Limerick to Ballybrophy (Sunday)
19:45hrs Ballybrophy to Limerick (Sunday)

The following services will operate as bus transfers between Nenagh and Limerick (Monday to Friday) for the duration of engineering works:
07:45hrs Nenagh to Limerick calling at Birdhill and Castleconnell (Monday to Friday) 
16:55hrs Limerick to Nenagh calling at Castleconnell and Nenagh (Monday to Friday)

tabbey

seekers wrote: »

Tuesday October 27th to Sunday November 15th
Due to engineering works the Limerick to Ballybrophy Line will be closed from Tuesday October 27th to Sunday November 15th  inclusive.
The following train services will not operate for the duration of the engineering works:
06:30hrs Limerick to Ballybrophy (Monday to Saturday)
10:05hrs Ballybrophy to Limerick (Monday to Saturday)
16:55hrs Limerick to Ballybrophy (Monday to Saturday)
19:05hrs Ballybrophy to Limerick (Monday to Saturday)
17:20hrs Limerick to Ballybrophy (Sunday)
19:45hrs Ballybrophy to Limerick (Sunday)

The following services will operate as bus transfers between Nenagh and Limerick (Monday to Friday) for the duration of engineering works:
07:45hrs Nenagh to Limerick calling at Birdhill and Castleconnell (Monday to Friday) 
16:55hrs Limerick to Nenagh calling at Castleconnell and Nenagh (Monday to Friday)

With the current covid pandemic restrictions, people are generally not crossing county boundaries. So the unfortunates affected are the residents of Cloughjordan who are away from the main road, but still need to get to roscrea or Nenagh..

seekers

tabbey wrote: »

With the current covid pandemic restrictions, people are generally not crossing county boundaries. So the unfortunates affected are the residents of Cloughjordan who are away from the main road, but still need to get to roscrea or Nenagh..

Interesting to note that there are no bus substitutions. Only for the nenagh service which will be faster by bus anyways