Least used sections in the country?

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

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.

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 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.

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.

Manulla Junction is perhaps also unique.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.