Dublin-Rosslare railway line
Encyclopedia
The Dublin-Rosslare railway line is a main rail route between Dublin Connolly
station and Rosslare Europort
, where it theoretically connects with ferry services to the United Kingdom
and mainland Europe. The line between Dublin and Greystones is electrified and forms the southern part of the DART
service. Between Bray and Rosslare the line is single track only. The line connects with the Limerick-Rosslare line
outside Rosslare Strand
. From Wicklow on, semaphore signalling is used. Although it is considered a separate route, the line is continuous after Dublin Connolly, where it connects with the Belfast-Dublin main line
.
The section between Dublin Pearse and a point on the line just after Salthill and Monkstown station is the oldest railway line in Ireland, opening in 1834. At that time, the railway terminated adjacent to the start of Dún Laoghaire Harbour's West Pier, at a station called Dunleary.
No freight services operate on this route as of 2007. Up until 2002, Ammonia and fertilizer trains operated from Shelton Abbey near Arklow
, where a fertilizer plant was located. However, this closed in late 2002, since when there have been no regular freight trains on this line. Bagged cement trains also operated in the past to Arklow and Gorey.
On a few Sundays during the summer the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
operates the "Sea Breeze", a steam hauled train with heritage carriages, between Dublin and Wexford/Rosslare.
, but these were replaced within a year. At present, most services are worked by the IE 22000 Class
, with the 2900 class
working some services. Prior to July 2004, services were worked by sets of mk2d coaches hauled by 071 class locomotives. The new 22000 class Intercity trains have now replaced the 2800s on all services to/from Rosslare.
on this route was upgraded to the mini-CTC system, controlled from Connolly station. It had been the last of the routes radiating from Dublin to use Electric Train Staff (ETS) and semaphore signalling (apart from the Limerick Junction station area on the Dublin-Cork route), which was still in place south of Wicklow up until April 2008.
Many of its signal cabins
were situated on the corner of a footbridge. Examples include Wicklow, Rathdrum, Arklow and Gorey. At present these cabins remain in situ.
Dublin Connolly railway station
Dublin Connolly, commonly called Connolly station , is one of the main railway stations in Dublin, Ireland, and is a focal point in the Irish route network. Opened in 1844 as Amiens Street Station, the ornate facade has a distinctive Italianate tower at its centre...
station and Rosslare Europort
Rosslare Europort
Rosslare Europort is a modern seaport located at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland, near the southeastern-most point of Ireland's coastline, handling passenger and freight ferries to and from Wales and France....
, where it theoretically connects with ferry services to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and mainland Europe. The line between Dublin and Greystones is electrified and forms the southern part of the DART
Dublin Area Rapid Transit
The Dublin Area Rapid Transit is part of the suburban railway network in Ireland, running mainly along the coastline of Dublin Bay on the Trans-Dublin route, from Greystones in County Wicklow, through Dublin to Howth and Malahide in County Dublin.Trains are powered via a 1500V DC overhead catenary...
service. Between Bray and Rosslare the line is single track only. The line connects with the Limerick-Rosslare line
Limerick-Rosslare railway line
The Limerick–Waterford railway line is the only true non-radial route still open in Ireland that is not a branch line. The route was commenced in 1848 by the Waterford and Limerick Railway and finished in 1854 – one of the oldest routes in Ireland, and the first approved by the British...
outside Rosslare Strand
Rosslare Strand railway station
Rosslare Strand railway station serves the village of Rosslare Strand in County Wexford, Ireland. The station is at the junction of the lines to Dublin Connolly and Limerick Colbert. There are two platforms, one of which is served by a passing loop...
. From Wicklow on, semaphore signalling is used. Although it is considered a separate route, the line is continuous after Dublin Connolly, where it connects with the Belfast-Dublin main line
Dublin-Belfast railway line
The Dublin-Belfast main line is a major railway route in Ireland that connects Dublin Connolly station in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Central station in Northern Ireland.-History:The railway line was built by three separate companies...
.
The section between Dublin Pearse and a point on the line just after Salthill and Monkstown station is the oldest railway line in Ireland, opening in 1834. At that time, the railway terminated adjacent to the start of Dún Laoghaire Harbour's West Pier, at a station called Dunleary.
Services
Services include three Intercity services a day each way between Rosslare Europort and Dublin. There are now five services between Wexford and Dublin Connolly on weekdays.No freight services operate on this route as of 2007. Up until 2002, Ammonia and fertilizer trains operated from Shelton Abbey near Arklow
Arklow
Arklow , also known as Inbhear Dé from the Avonmore river's older name Abhainn Dé, is a historic town located in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in the ninth century, Arklow was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1798 rebellion...
, where a fertilizer plant was located. However, this closed in late 2002, since when there have been no regular freight trains on this line. Bagged cement trains also operated in the past to Arklow and Gorey.
On a few Sundays during the summer the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is an Irish railway preservation group operating in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1964. The Society has its headquarters at Whitehead, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and a base at Mullingar, County Westmeath...
operates the "Sea Breeze", a steam hauled train with heritage carriages, between Dublin and Wexford/Rosslare.
Traction
From late July 2004, Dublin-Rosslare services have been worked exclusively by diesel railcars. Initially the railcars used were drawn from the 2700 class fleetIE 2700 Class
The 2700 and 2750 Classes are two related types of diesel multiple unit operated by Iarnród Éireann. The 2700 Class units are 2-car sets; 25 cars were built by GEC Alsthom in 1997 and 1998, and began entering service in December 1998...
, but these were replaced within a year. At present, most services are worked by the IE 22000 Class
IE 22000 Class
The 22000 Class "InterCity Railcar" is a Diesel multiple unit type in service with Iarnród Éireann in Ireland.In a new departure for Iarnród Éireann they will be the first railcars to have been built specifically to serve on InterCity routes and are capable of up to 100 mph .-History:In 2005,...
, with the 2900 class
IE 2900 Class
The 29000 Class is a type of four-car Diesel Multiple Unit operated by Iarnród Éireann. The units were built in Spain by CAF in two batches between 2002 and 2005.-Description:...
working some services. Prior to July 2004, services were worked by sets of mk2d coaches hauled by 071 class locomotives. The new 22000 class Intercity trains have now replaced the 2800s on all services to/from Rosslare.
Signalling
In April 2008, the signallingRailway signalling
Railway signalling is a system used to control railway traffic safely, essentially to prevent trains from colliding. Being guided by fixed rails, trains are uniquely susceptible to collision; furthermore, trains cannot stop quickly, and frequently operate at speeds that do not enable them to stop...
on this route was upgraded to the mini-CTC system, controlled from Connolly station. It had been the last of the routes radiating from Dublin to use Electric Train Staff (ETS) and semaphore signalling (apart from the Limerick Junction station area on the Dublin-Cork route), which was still in place south of Wicklow up until April 2008.
Many of its signal cabins
Signal box
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
were situated on the corner of a footbridge. Examples include Wicklow, Rathdrum, Arklow and Gorey. At present these cabins remain in situ.
See also
- Dublin and South Eastern RailwayDublin and South Eastern RailwayThe Dublin and South Eastern Railway was an Irish gauge railway in Ireland from 1846 to 1925.It was incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1846 as the "Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin Railway Company". In 1860 it was renamed the "Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway Company" and on 31...
- Iarnród ÉireannIarnród ÉireannIarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
- Limerick-Rosslare railway lineLimerick-Rosslare railway lineThe Limerick–Waterford railway line is the only true non-radial route still open in Ireland that is not a branch line. The route was commenced in 1848 by the Waterford and Limerick Railway and finished in 1854 – one of the oldest routes in Ireland, and the first approved by the British...