Limerick-Rosslare railway line
Encyclopedia
The Limerick–Waterford railway line is the only true non-radial (from Dublin) 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 parliament. The company later merged with the GS&WR. The Waterford to Rosslare section remains technically in the ownership of the Fishguard & Rosslare Railways & Harbours Company, although services are run by Iarnród Éireann. It remains the only mainline track not wholly owned by the State. Iarnród Éireann has a 50% interest in the Company, the other 50% being owned by Stena Line
. http://www.iii.co.uk/investment/detail?code=cotn%3A72GU.L&display=news&it=le&period=2001
From to Limerick Junction
, the line is shared with Dublin-Limerick direct services.
Services have remained infrequent for over 100 years. In recent times, this has resulted in few passengers. The advent of more efficient railcar units has lent new hope to the line, which with four services daily, has a greater frequency of service than for much of its history. The most notable feature on the line is the Cahir Viaduct, which has twice partly collapsed.
service was to be reviewed over the next few weeks by Iarnród Éireann due to few passenges using the service. Ticket revenue accounted for 2% of the operating cost of the line. Around 25 passengers where by then using the service every day, due to poor timetabling. There is only one train each way daily from Monday to Saturday, leaving Rosslare in the early morning and returning from Waterford in the early evening. At the time the trains had very poor connections to other rail services.
The line between Waterford and Rosslare had its last service on 18 September 2010. It was operated by a four-car 2700 railcar set instead of the more regular two-car set. Iarnród Éireann will still have to maintain the line according to the National Transport Authorithy.
. The driver and fireman were killed. The other incident occurred in 2003, with a cement train derailment. Rough or faulty jointed track is thought to have caused a two-axle cement hopper to "bounce" off the track, with the rear of the train pulling through the deck cross-sections. The locomotive and driver came across safely. Services resumed in 2005 with diesel railcars, although the service was dogged by engineering works necessitating frequent bus replacements of the train services.
railcars. Prior to these services were usually worked by 141
/181
class locos and Cravens coaches.
Stena Line
Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators, with ferry services serving Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Stena Line is a major unit of Stena AB, itself a part of the Stena Sphere, a grouping of Stena AB,...
. http://www.iii.co.uk/investment/detail?code=cotn%3A72GU.L&display=news&it=le&period=2001
From to Limerick Junction
Limerick Junction
Limerick Junction is an important railway station in South Tipperary, Ireland which was originally named "Tipperary Junction". Tipperary town is about two miles away to the south-east. Limerick Junction, with a cluster of pleasantly presented railway cottages and a pub, is a small hamlet...
, the line is shared with Dublin-Limerick direct services.
Services have remained infrequent for over 100 years. In recent times, this has resulted in few passengers. The advent of more efficient railcar units has lent new hope to the line, which with four services daily, has a greater frequency of service than for much of its history. The most notable feature on the line is the Cahir Viaduct, which has twice partly collapsed.
Waterford-Rosslare section
On March 12 2010, it was announced that the Waterford to Rosslare EuroportRosslare 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....
service was to be reviewed over the next few weeks by Iarnród Éireann due to few passenges using the service. Ticket revenue accounted for 2% of the operating cost of the line. Around 25 passengers where by then using the service every day, due to poor timetabling. There is only one train each way daily from Monday to Saturday, leaving Rosslare in the early morning and returning from Waterford in the early evening. At the time the trains had very poor connections to other rail services.
The line between Waterford and Rosslare had its last service on 18 September 2010. It was operated by a four-car 2700 railcar set instead of the more regular two-car set. Iarnród Éireann will still have to maintain the line according to the National Transport Authorithy.
Notable incidents
The first incident in 1955 involved an out-of-control train crashing through the buffers at Cahir station's loop, and passing through the bare deck of the viaductViaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
. The driver and fireman were killed. The other incident occurred in 2003, with a cement train derailment. Rough or faulty jointed track is thought to have caused a two-axle cement hopper to "bounce" off the track, with the rear of the train pulling through the deck cross-sections. The locomotive and driver came across safely. Services resumed in 2005 with diesel railcars, although the service was dogged by engineering works necessitating frequent bus replacements of the train services.
Traction
From 2004 onwards most services were worked by the IÉ 2700 ClassIE 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...
railcars. Prior to these services were usually worked by 141
CIE 141 Class
The Córas Iompair Éireann 141 class locomotives were delivered in November and December 1962 from General Motors Electro Motive Division , the first consignment being unloaded at the North Wall, Dublin on 22 November...
/181
CIE 181 Class
The Córas Iompair Éireann 181 Class locomotives were built in 1966 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division and numbered B181 to B192.These locomotives were virtually identical to the earlier 141 Class locomotives, but fitted with the more powerful 645 engine and thermostatically controlled engine...
class locos and Cravens coaches.