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Western Rail Corridor

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    #2732
    Nostradamus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Nostradamus


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    Something to cheer up Westtip, Nostradamus and DWCommuter - according to the IRN website the Westport timber trains are to cease running from next month. Another source of freight for the WRC bites the dust. Good old CIE/IE they'll soon sort out Ballina too - can't be having pesky lorries cluttering up towns with freight traffic to railheads.

    WTF! I am not happy about this at all. Being anti-Parish Pump Rail has nothing to do with being anti-railfreight. The freight argument with the WRC was always a locosexual red herring.

    I want to see as much freight on the rail network as possible. Always have, but on one condition:

    It only runs at night and must not compromise the passenger service. This includes dodgy locomotives which could break down and screw up morning commuter services.


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    #2733
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    grrr..IRN...what a frustrating website that is...very badly planned and laid out and impossible to navigate. I almost never go on there now since its last "improvement"...wont let me log in either.....


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    #2734
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    What we are getting and what we could have got! I think these two pics are interesting and show the wasted opportunity there has been with the WRC so far - I certainly believe if things do go ahead on the northern section the friends of WOT in the green party should look at what can be done, the runaway train is in fact a shot taken appparently last Sunday on the section just outside Ennis - now imagine my greenway running alongside; it would have done more for tourism in that area than this rail line ever will!!


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    #2735
    dowlingm
    Registered Users Posts: 5,327 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    The fun police (er - rail safety commission) would probably want a Berlin Wall dividing the line from the path in that picture in case of a derailment while a pack of cub scouts were walking the line :rolleyes:

    Edit - this picture is from the same site as the first one uploaded by westtip. The picture is between Ennis and Gort. Interesting number of accommodation crossings - what's that about?


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    #2736
    unit 1
    Registered Users Posts: 548 ✭✭✭unit 1


    about greenways , a fantastic idea. As we speak the old line from newport to mulranny is being hardcored. Imagine the surprise of driving down a winding country lane and suddenly coming across a lovely straight stretch of greenway. On mature reflection this is probably the way to go for the rest of the line and many others like it.With luck they will eventually extend it from westport to achill.


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    #2737
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    unit 1 wrote: »
    about greenways , a fantastic idea. As we speak the old line from newport to mulranny is being hardcored. Imagine the surprise of driving down a winding country lane and suddenly coming across a lovely straight stretch of greenway. On mature reflection this is probably the way to go for the rest of the line and many others like it.With luck they will eventually extend it from westport to achill.

    Concrete bollards at the point greenways cross roads is the simple solution for more pics take a look at this .pdf file from sustrans scroll through the document to see greenways by rail lines - This stretch of rail line and the next section of the WRC is a massive wasted oppportunity not to go down this route.

    http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/resources/guidelines%206.pdf

    Item 6.2 page 46 on the pdf which loads up - its just makes common sense, but there you go I have been hammering on about this opportunity now for god knows how long.....


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    #2738
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    dowlingm wrote: »
    The fun police (er - rail safety commission) would probably want a Berlin Wall dividing the line from the path in that picture in case of a derailment while a pack of cub scouts were walking the line :rolleyes:

    Edit - this picture is from the same site as the first one uploaded by westtip. The picture is between Ennis and Gort. Interesting number of accommodation crossings - what's that about?

    Yes we woudl be incapable of having a common sense solution and a small wire fence, with a rail track one side and walkway the other side, like when was the last time a train derailed on a straight stretch of track - alas it would take probably ten years of enquiries to decide that this is done all over the place and no one comes to any harm.

    Re the pic from Ennis to Gort - the pic has been uploaded from one of the Tspotters on IRN - I have got a feeling we are talking about access from one farmers field to his field on t'other side of the track - now that presents some interesting thoughts re safety......potential time delays etc.


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    #2739
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    unit 1 wrote: »
    about greenways , a fantastic idea. As we speak the old line from newport to mulranny is being hardcored. Imagine the surprise of driving down a winding country lane and suddenly coming across a lovely straight stretch of greenway. On mature reflection this is probably the way to go for the rest of the line and many others like it.With luck they will eventually extend it from westport to achill.

    With the way things are going it will soon be a greenway all the way to Heuston. :D


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    #2740
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    corktina wrote: »
    grrr..IRN...what a frustrating website that is...very badly planned and laid out and impossible to navigate. I almost never go on there now since its last "improvement"...wont let me log in either.....

    you have to be vetted as a train spotter first - anything challenging and you will be out - Look what happened to others. Mind it is interesting to look at it really does make fascinating viewing. some of those pics of freight trains moving logs across ireland are really something else - there really are guys waiting around on a Tuesday to take shots like that.....the whole thing is quite astonishing.
    Judgement Day wrote: »
    With the way things are going it will soon be a greenway all the way to Heuston. :D

    Jd leave it out you know full well that is not going to happen.....Mind you the way CIE run the business you never know...


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    #2741
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    As I said long ago in this thread CIE had no drivers last year which fact would impair its ability to provide any service from Galway to Limerick .

    http://www.galwaynews.ie/9602-further-delay-reopening-county-railway-stations
    November 11, 2009 - 4:18pm

    The re-opening of five train stations in the county has been dealt another blow as driver training is taking longer than expected.

    Gort, Craughwell, Ardrahan, Oranmore and Tuam stations were due to re-open in Galway in August, but planning at the Gort station resulted in huge delays.

    The opening of these stations is part of the re-opening of the western rail corridor, which will run from Sligo to Limerick.

    A spokesperson for Iarnród Eireann has confirmed that driver training on the route is taking longer than expected.


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    #2742
    KC61
    Registered Users Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    Driver training is only starting now after the signalling was tested by a locomotive following clearance by the RSC.

    This has nothing to do with the (alleged) non-availability of drivers.


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    #2743
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    KC61 wrote: »
    This has nothing to do with the (alleged) non-availability of drivers.

    With a ban on recruitment in any state body, natural attrition of drivers through retirement etc, Like Spongebob, I do wonder how it is being done....Perhaps they have stumbled upon that sidings shed somewhere on the network in which 10 or so drivers have been sitting by the woodburner drinking tea and having a fag for the past 30 years, only stirring to go home at the end of each shift - unless they were doing overtime of course.....and could stay for a few more cuppas and then the only stirring they did was the sugar in the mug.


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    #2744
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    this has nothing to do with non availability of drivers. These would be existing drivers having to learn the route.They obviously cannot do this until its finished and usable.


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    #2745
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    So has anyone seen a train on it yet with feckin L plates ????


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    #2746
    glineli
    Registered Users Posts: 1,098 ✭✭✭glineli


    westtip wrote: »
    What we are getting and what we could have got! I think these two pics are interesting and show the wasted opportunity there has been with the WRC so far - I certainly believe if things do go ahead on the northern section the friends of WOT in the green party should look at what can be done, the runaway train is in fact a shot taken appparently last Sunday on the section just outside Ennis - now imagine my greenway running alongside; it would have done more for tourism in that area than this rail line ever will!!

    This does look really well. Its a shame we missed a chance to put this in place.


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    #2747
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    glineli wrote: »
    This does look really well. Its a shame we missed a chance to put this in place.

    thanks Glineli -

    It should be pointed out to the F'ing Green party - they are the ones who have ensured the WRC stays in the programme for government - mind the Athenry - Tuam section will not actually form part of any capital spends in the lifetime of this government - why - well you only had to watch the news tonight - there is no money!

    it's rather a good execution of use of land don't you think did you look at the .pdf brochure on greenways from Sustrans for -other pics and stories about the parallel greenways alongside rail lines - an idea that would work perfectly for the WRC -In fact if WOT realised it - it woudl actually incease usage - bike it or walk it one way - train it the other way (of course if IE let you put your bike on the train shouldn't be a problem on the WRC - as most of them will be empty)


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    #2748
    glineli
    Registered Users Posts: 1,098 ✭✭✭glineli


    westtip wrote: »
    thanks Glineli -

    It should be pointed out to the F'ing Green party - they are the ones who have ensured the WRC stays in the programme for government - mind the Athenry - Tuam section will not actually form part of any capital spends in the lifetime of this government - why - well you only had to watch the news tonight - there is no money!

    it's rather a good execution of use of land don't you think did you look at the .pdf brochure on greenways from Sustrans for -other pics and stories about the parallel greenways alongside rail lines - an idea that would work perfectly for the WRC -In fact if WOT realised it - it woudl actually incease usage - bike it or walk it one way - train it the other way (of course if IE let you put your bike on the train shouldn't be a problem on the WRC - as most of them will be empty)

    Its a simple yet brilliant idea. I spent some time in a small town outside Frankfurt and the greenways were fantastic. You could run or cycle beside the track and as you say, get the train back. So simple

    Is it too late or is it something that could be done easily enough?

    This idea westtip along with the new bus terminals beside motorways are simple but add so much value to the rail/road network its amazing that no one has run with it. Fair play and keep the good ideas coming


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    #2749
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    glineli wrote: »
    Its a simple yet brilliant idea. I Fair play and keep the good ideas coming


    Many thanks for those kind comments Glineli: You have prompted me to pass out another idea for the WRC - which I do not claim credit for - it is an idea which comes from a columnist in the Sligo Champion and Lecturer in tourism economics in Sligo IT Felim O'Rourke.

    A few questions first

    Would Sligo and towns along the WRC north of Claremorris benefit from having piped natural gas:

    Would they benefit more from this more than say - a slow railway line connecting them?

    Would they benefit from a piece of tourism infrastructure that would bring hungry tired tourists into their hotels shops B&Bs and pubs?

    Would they also benefit from a high quality technical communications cabling infrastructure being laid along the alignment?

    So - Why not only use the Claremorris - Collooney alignment as a greenway but also lay a natural gas pipeline along the alignment to supply these towns to bring corrib gas to these towns and villages?

    The benefits of natural gas as an energy resource are well established - in particular in the food processing industry.

    So if you lived in say Tubercurry, Kiltimagh etc and given a preference:

    A single track rail line that will offer a limited rail service.

    A Gas pipeline for your town and a first class walking/cycling leisure/tourism infrastucture on your doorstep. (plus the high quality communications network connection)


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    #2750
    loyatemu
    Registered Users Posts: 14,851 ✭✭✭✭loyatemu


    westtip wrote: »
    So if you lived in say Tubercurry, Kiltimagh etc and given a preference:

    A single track rail line that will offer a limited rail service.

    A Gas pipeline for your town and a first class walking/cycling leisure/tourism infrastucture on your doorstep. (plus the high quality communications network connection)

    unbelievably, Kiltimagh already has a high quality communications network: http://www.enet.ie/images/kiltimagh2.jpg


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    #2751
    Nostradamus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Nostradamus


    loyatemu wrote: »
    unbelievably, Kiltimagh already has a high quality communications network: http://www.enet.ie/images/kiltimagh2.jpg

    Yes, but they are still gnawing grass while a dead baby suckles on a dry breast as they are downloading at high speed.

    Only a empty train over Swinford viaduct will stop this.


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    #2752
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    loyatemu wrote: »
    unbelievably, Kiltimagh already has a high quality communications network: http://www.enet.ie/images/kiltimagh2.jpg

    And is the town going to get natural gas from Corrib? It maybe I don't know -and why not add to the telecoms network? or is the train from Kiltimagh to Tubbercurry that important??? And how many tourists arrive in Kilitmagh by foot or on a bike, hungry tired and thirsty?


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    #2753
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    OK apparently this thread is far too political so here is some basic information

    Working things out from the convulated way in which IE are giving information on their timetables rather than actually producing a WRC timetable - which ye think after all the broohaha there has been they would have done this - but perhaps trying to hide the truth is their intent they have left it us to try and work it out from the timetables loaded up on their site:

    So I reckon using the information here and here

    http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Limerick%2010.pdf

    http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Galway%2010.pdf

    This is the WRC timetable from "sometime in January 2009" for Limerick to Galway (A distance of some 60 miles by road), read down the columns by way

    Limerick >0600 >>0935>>11.55>>14.15>>18.05
    Ennis >0640 >>10.14>>12.34>>14.54>>18.44
    Athenry >0808 >>11.19>>13.35>>15.56>>19.45
    Galway >0825 >>11.34>>13.51>>16.13>>20.00

    journey times 2 hours 25 in the morning "rush" hour

    Other trains just under 2 hours.

    think I have read these right others may want to look. I have not looked at the Galway - Limerick timetable.


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    #2754
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    westtip wrote: »
    OK apparently this thread is far too political so here is some basic information

    Working things out from the convulated way in which IE are giving information on their timetables rather than actually producing a WRC timetable - which ye think after all the broohaha there has been they would have done this - but perhaps trying to hide the truth is their intent they have left it us to try and work it out from     the timetables loaded up on their site:

    So I reckon using the information here and here

    http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Limerick%2010.pdf

    http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Galway%2010.pdf

    This is the WRC timetable from "sometime in January 2009" for Limerick to Galway (A distance of some 60 miles by road), read down the columns by way

    Limerick >0600 >>0935>>11.55>>14.15>>18.05
    Ennis >0640 >>10.14>>12.34>>14.54>>18.44
    Athenry >0808 >>11.19>>13.35>>15.56>>19.45
    Galway >0825 >>11.34>>13.51>>16.13>>20.00

    journey times 2 hours 25 in the morning "rush" hour
    Other trains just under 2 hours.

    think I have read these right others may want to look. I have not looked at the Galway - Limerick timetable.

    For all the stuff in black, thanks westtip.

    the red stuff is what muddies this thread and makes it hard to read.


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    #2755
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Deleted User wrote: »
    For all the stuff in black, thanks westtip.

    the red stuff is what muddies this thread and makes it hard to read.

    The red stuff is what makes this thread so bloody entertaining! whichever way you think about the WRC, but accept sometimes it is complete bollox a lot of which I write myself.~Anyway againg using the two timetables provided by IE, IK work it out that the Galway - Limerick time table will be:

    Galway> 0640 >>0945>>12.10>>14.30>>17.25
    Athenry> 0656>>10.03>>12.26>>14.47>>1741
    Ennis> 0800>>11.08>>13.28>>15.48>>18.44
    L'rick> 0839>>11.48>>14.08>>16.25>>19.24

    Near as dam it two hours from Galway to Limerick for each train, any comments folks political or practical or will anyone see it as adding great value to their lives?

    Two hours to travel 60 miles; somehow I think this timetable has killed the project off from day one....


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    #2756
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,333 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Well, the ferries seem to be running well in Craughwell today.


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    #2757
    serfboard
    Registered Users Posts: 4,680 ✭✭✭serfboard


    westtip wrote: »
    Limerick >0600 >>0935>>11.55>>14.15>>18.05
    Ennis >0640 >>10.14>>12.34>>14.54>>18.44
    Athenry >0808 >>11.19>>13.35>>15.56>>19.45
    Galway >0825 >>11.34>>13.51>>16.13>>20.00

    journey times 2 hours 25 in the morning "rush" hour

    Other trains just under 2 hours.

    think I have read these right others may want to look. I have not looked at the Galway - Limerick timetable.

    westtip - I provided this timetable on this thread 2 weeks ago :D


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    #2758
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    i was amused to see "another forum" quoting a journey time of 1 hour 50 mins.....


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    #2759
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,333 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    corktina wrote: »
    i was amused to see "another forum" quoting a journey time of 1 hour 50 mins.....
    Remember the timetable is padded - but they'll use that padding anyway.


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    #2760
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    they were allso eulogising about the old days when there was 23 stops on the line or similar:rolleyes:


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    #2761
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Time to break-out the Ian Allan trainspotters guides, anoraks and ginger beer - the Fossils IRRS are running a tour to the WRC on the 20th March 2010 see here: http://www.irrs.ie/Common%20Files/PFProgramme%20Dublin.htm

    As they have 'an inside track' on these matters perhaps the WRC will really be open by then but interestingly the blurb doesn't specify whether the trip is by service train/special train or bus. Given present weather conditions it may even be by boat....:D


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