Ireland - General Information: Difference between revisions
Geoff Blyth (talk | contribs) |
Geoff Blyth (talk | contribs) |
||
Line 75: | Line 75: | ||
==Recent and future changes== | ==Recent and future changes== | ||
The Irish railway system was allowed to deteriorate for many years, but in the last decade extensive upgrading and modernisation has been carried out on the majority of the passenger system and there have been extensive purchases of new rolling stock (mostly multiple units). The DART suburban system has been extended to Greystones and Malahide. A light rapid transit system - LUAS (Irish for "speed") - has come into operation in Dublin. However the only extension now envisaged is linking of the two lines in central Dublin, now in progress. Also in Dublin, a commuter line from Glasnevin Jn to Docklands opened in March 2007. A section of the former Youghal branch line reopened between Glounthaune (formerly Cobh Jn) and Midleton in July 2009 as did [Limerick -] Ennis - Athenry [- Galway] in March 2010. The Waterford & Suir Valley Railway was extended by 2km in July 2010. Part of the former line from Clonsilla to Navan re-opened to M3 Parkway station in September 2010. Beyond that, other mooted (some much publicised) line re-openings are now cancelled apart from a possible extension of the DART system to Dublin airport, albeit probably not for at least 10 years. Unfortunately | The Irish railway system was allowed to deteriorate for many years, but in the last decade extensive upgrading and modernisation has been carried out on the majority of the passenger system and there have been extensive purchases of new rolling stock (mostly multiple units). The DART suburban system has been extended to Greystones and Malahide. A light rapid transit system - LUAS (Irish for "speed") - has come into operation in Dublin. However the only extension now envisaged is linking of the two lines in central Dublin, now in progress. Also in Dublin, a commuter line from Glasnevin Jn to Docklands opened in March 2007. A section of the former Youghal branch line reopened between Glounthaune (formerly Cobh Jn) and Midleton in July 2009 as did [Limerick -] Ennis - Athenry [- Galway] in March 2010. The Waterford & Suir Valley Railway was extended by 2km in July 2010. Part of the former line from Clonsilla to Navan re-opened to M3 Parkway station in September 2010. Beyond that, other mooted (some much publicised) line re-openings are now cancelled apart from a possible extension of the DART system to Dublin airport, albeit probably not for at least 10 years. Unfortunately, a special review of Government expenditure published in July 2009 suggested examination of closure (apparently completely) of the following lines: Limerick Jn - Waterford (excl.) - Rosslare Strand; [Limerick -] Killonan Jn - Ballybrophy; Manulla Jn - Ballina, and that no further development should take place of Western Rail Corridor beyond the [Limerick -] Ennis - Athenry [- Galway] section mentioned above. IÉ withdrew the vestigial Rosslare Strand - Waterford passenger service (there is no freight service over most of the line) in September 2010 and the other transversal lines, Limerick Jn - Waterford; [Limerick -] Killonan Jn - Roscrea - Ballybrophy, and even Ennis - Athenry, are under greatest threat. The line was cut back at Rosslare Europort in April 2008; trains now use a very basic platform inconveniently located for the ferry terminal. | ||
As at July 2014 IÉ is experiencing a funding crisis as it has lost revenue since the start of the economic crisis, most of that caused by a reduction in state support for uneconomic services, and it is even possible it would be allowed to go bankrupt. The Minister of Transport has stated that no more funds are available and that in his opinion bus transport is much better than state funding of the rail system. He had a real concern that there is a perception in some quarters that ultimately the Government will protect and fund existing rail services at any cost; this clearly now not the case. | |||
IÉ's freight operations are now very limited. Bord na Mona, on the other hand, is one of the largest narrow gauge freight operations in Europe - principally moving peat (turf) traffic to power stations. Indeed, they ceased operating their Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway tourist passenger service because of the high volume of peat traffic. | IÉ's freight operations are now very limited. Bord na Mona, on the other hand, is one of the largest narrow gauge freight operations in Europe - principally moving peat (turf) traffic to power stations. Indeed, they ceased operating their Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway tourist passenger service because of the high volume of peat traffic. |
Revision as of 15:52, 18 July 2014
Country Name
Republic of Ireland
National Railway System
Iarnród Éireann
Official Website
Language
English is used for most purposes, but the Irish Constitution provides that the Irish Language (also known as Erse) is the first official language. Although Irish is not widely spoken, except in some rural areas, official notices and publications are usually bi-lingual. Public institutions, including the railway, use their Irish name in preference to the English version. Passenger information systems at stations and on trains normally show or announce information in Irish, before doing so in English.
Currency
Euro
UIC Code
numeric 60; alpha IRL
Timetable
Journey Planner
Find Train Times and Buy Tickets
Downloadable Timetable
Printed Timetable
Usually issued annually each December but only as route leaflets. In English and Irish.
Engineering Information
Get Live Travel Updates then select the station
Maps
S.K. Baker's "Rail Atlas of Great Britain & Ireland", which is widely available in the UK, shows Irish Railways at 1:1,070,000. A volume of detailed layout plans for the whole of Ireland is published by Quail Map Co. An historical compilation - "Johnson's Atlas & Gazetteer of the Railway of Ireland" (1997) - is now out of print, but worth seeking in second hand bookshops. For a handy on-line map of Ireland's railways go to bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_british-isles.php.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure Authority
According to the Department of Transport website, one of the functions of Iarnród Éireann is to "manage, maintain and develop the rail network infrastructure". Hence there appears to be no separate Infrastructure Authority as at April 2013, although IE no longer has the derogation from EU open-access requirements originally granted because of its unique gauge.
Network Statement
Gauge
1600 mm (5 feet 3 inches)
Electrification
1500 V dc (DART suburban system in Dublin)
Rule of the road
Left.
Distances
Distances are available in Appendix 1 of the Network Statement above. More detailed distances for the former constituent railways are available on the Signalling Record Society website.
- Dublin & South Eastern
- Fishguard & Rosslare
- Great Northern
- Great Southern & Western plus some branches
- Midland Great Western
Other passenger railways
None
Tourist lines
- Cavan & Leitrim Railway
- Fintown Railway
- Listowel Lartigue Monorail
- Tralee & Blennerville Steam Railway; this has not run since 2009 but track remains in situ
- Waterford & Suir Valley Railway
- West Clare Railway
Some of the more remote lines may be irregular in operation so it is as well to enquire about dates and times of operation before visiting. There are other shorter lines.
Metro
None.
Trams
Dublin (LUAS).
Recent and future changes
The Irish railway system was allowed to deteriorate for many years, but in the last decade extensive upgrading and modernisation has been carried out on the majority of the passenger system and there have been extensive purchases of new rolling stock (mostly multiple units). The DART suburban system has been extended to Greystones and Malahide. A light rapid transit system - LUAS (Irish for "speed") - has come into operation in Dublin. However the only extension now envisaged is linking of the two lines in central Dublin, now in progress. Also in Dublin, a commuter line from Glasnevin Jn to Docklands opened in March 2007. A section of the former Youghal branch line reopened between Glounthaune (formerly Cobh Jn) and Midleton in July 2009 as did [Limerick -] Ennis - Athenry [- Galway] in March 2010. The Waterford & Suir Valley Railway was extended by 2km in July 2010. Part of the former line from Clonsilla to Navan re-opened to M3 Parkway station in September 2010. Beyond that, other mooted (some much publicised) line re-openings are now cancelled apart from a possible extension of the DART system to Dublin airport, albeit probably not for at least 10 years. Unfortunately, a special review of Government expenditure published in July 2009 suggested examination of closure (apparently completely) of the following lines: Limerick Jn - Waterford (excl.) - Rosslare Strand; [Limerick -] Killonan Jn - Ballybrophy; Manulla Jn - Ballina, and that no further development should take place of Western Rail Corridor beyond the [Limerick -] Ennis - Athenry [- Galway] section mentioned above. IÉ withdrew the vestigial Rosslare Strand - Waterford passenger service (there is no freight service over most of the line) in September 2010 and the other transversal lines, Limerick Jn - Waterford; [Limerick -] Killonan Jn - Roscrea - Ballybrophy, and even Ennis - Athenry, are under greatest threat. The line was cut back at Rosslare Europort in April 2008; trains now use a very basic platform inconveniently located for the ferry terminal.
As at July 2014 IÉ is experiencing a funding crisis as it has lost revenue since the start of the economic crisis, most of that caused by a reduction in state support for uneconomic services, and it is even possible it would be allowed to go bankrupt. The Minister of Transport has stated that no more funds are available and that in his opinion bus transport is much better than state funding of the rail system. He had a real concern that there is a perception in some quarters that ultimately the Government will protect and fund existing rail services at any cost; this clearly now not the case.
IÉ's freight operations are now very limited. Bord na Mona, on the other hand, is one of the largest narrow gauge freight operations in Europe - principally moving peat (turf) traffic to power stations. Indeed, they ceased operating their Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway tourist passenger service because of the high volume of peat traffic.
Special notes
In addition to universal "Standard" (formerly Second) class, "City Gold" (formerly First) class is available on most trains between Dublin and Cork, plus a few to and from Tralee, Limerick, Waterford and Galway. "Premium" class (partner NIRailways call it "First plus") is available on principal trains on the international route between Dublin and Belfast.
There are no overnight services in Ireland.