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?
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
IE 222 wrote: » What scheduled trains use the loops at Charleville and Ballybrophy. Is the loop at the old Athlone station ever used.
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
Jamie2k9 wrote: » Dun Laoghaire?
uberwolf wrote: » I've arrived and departed all 3, so no (unless there's a hidden 4th)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
