Ireland - General Information: Difference between revisions

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==National Railway System==
==National Railway System==
[http://www.irishrail.ie/ Iarnród Éireann (IÉ)/Irish rail]   
[http://www.irishrail.ie/ Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) / Irish rail]   


===National Railway Operator===
===National Railway Operator===
Iarnród Éireann Railway Undertaking (IÉ-RU).
Iarnród Éireann Railway Undertaking (IÉ-RU).
==Official Website==
[http://www.irishrail.ie www.irishrail.ie]


==Language==
==Language==
Line 18: Line 15:


==UIC Code==
==UIC Code==
numeric 60; alpha IRL
numeric 60; alpha IRL.


==Timetable==
==Timetable==
Line 24: Line 21:
[http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables Find Train Times and Buy Tickets]
[http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables Find Train Times and Buy Tickets]
===Downloadable Timetable===
===Downloadable Timetable===
[http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables Printed PDF Timetables]
[http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables/timetable-pdfs PDF Timetables]
 
===Printed Timetable===
===Printed Timetable===
no longer issues any printed timetables or leaflets for public use. 'Working' (i.e staff) timetables are still issued in printed or pdf format.
resumed publication of printed timetable leaflets for public use from November 2016. Unfortunately, not all routes are covered (for example, there is no printed timetable for DART) and the leaflets are notoriously difficult to obtain, other than at Dublin Connolly station.


===Engineering Information===
===Engineering Information===
Line 39: Line 37:
===Web-based Maps===
===Web-based Maps===
*Excellent live maps showing the whereabouts of every DART, InterCity and Commuter train are available on the Irish Rail[http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables/timetable-pdfs Timetables page].
*Excellent live maps showing the whereabouts of every DART, InterCity and Commuter train are available on the Irish Rail[http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables/timetable-pdfs Timetables page].
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_benelux.php British Isles and Ireland Map].
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_british-isles.php British Isles and Ireland Map]. Although this remains on-line, the Büker maps are no longer being maintained. Last updated May 2011.


==Ticketing==
==Ticketing==
Irish Rail offers a range of tickets in the Dublin area. However, the Rail/Luas day ticket mentioned on the [http://www.irishrail.ie/fares-and-tickets/dart DART & Short Hop Zone Fares] page is no longer available. Travellers wanting this option need to buy a [http://www.irishrail.ie/fares-and-tickets/smartcards "Leap" Smart Card] and load it with sufficient credit as shown in the 'Leap Card Capping' section. This covers Dublin buses and thus offers an alternative to the 747 Express bus to/from the Airport.
Visitors to Dublin seeking a "day ticket" (or multi-day) facility will find the [https://about.leapcard.ie/leap-visitor-card Leap Card] advantageous, as it covers IÉ, Luas and Dublin Buses (including the Airlink Express services between the Airport and city centre).


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
===Infrastructure Authority===
===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.
On 25 March 2013 Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) was restructured into two separate business divisions - Iarnród Éireann Infrastructure Manager (IÉ-IM) and Iarnród Éireann Railway Undertaking (IÉ-RU). IÉ-IM does not have a separate website.


===Network Statement===
===Network Statement===
[http://www.irishrail.ie/index.jsp?p=115&n=283 Network Statement]
[http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/network-statement Network Statement]


===Gauge===
===Gauge===
Line 73: Line 71:


==Tourist lines==
==Tourist lines==
* [http://www.cavanandleitrim.com/ Cavan & Leitrim Railway]
* [http://www.cavanandleitrim.com/ Cavan & Leitrim Railway]: this has not run since 2014 but a static museum remains at Dromod
* [http://www.antraen.com/ Fintown Railway]
* [http://www.antraen.com/ Fintown Railway]
* [http://www.lartiguemonorail.com/ Listowel Lartigue Monorail]
* [http://www.lartiguemonorail.com/ Listowel Lartigue Monorail]
Line 79: Line 77:
* [http://www.wsvrailway.ie Waterford & Suir Valley Railway]
* [http://www.wsvrailway.ie Waterford & Suir Valley Railway]
* [http://www.westclarerailway.ie West Clare Railway]
* [http://www.westclarerailway.ie 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.
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 and miniature lines.


==Metro==
==Metro==
Line 85: Line 83:


==Trams==
==Trams==
Dublin ([http://www.luas.ie/ LUAS]).
A modern light rapid transit system - [http://www.luas.ie/ LUAS] (Irish for "speed") - operates in Dublin.  This is a street-running tram in the city centre, but mostly uses reserved track elsewhere. It includes sections of former main line railway from Broadstone and Harcourt Street stations.


==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. As at April 2016 work is in progress on extending the Kildare commuter service to Grand Canal Dock, involving the re-opening of Glasnevin Jn - Islandbridge Jn. Beyond that, other mooted (some much publicised) line re-openings are now cancelled.
The Irish railway system was allowed to deteriorate for many years, but 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 (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) electrified suburban system now extends south to Greystones and north to Malahide.
 
===Line openings and reopenings - passenger===
* [http://www.luascrosscity.ie/ LUAS] Green Line was extended northwards from St.Stephen's Green to Broombridge on 9 December 2017.
* A weekday commuter service between Kildare and Grand Canal Dock - using the re-opened link between Islandbridge Junction (near Heuston) and Glasnevin Junction - commenced in November 2016.  
* Part of the former line from Clonsilla to Navan re-opened to M3 Parkway station in September 2010.
* A direct link between Limerick and Galway was restored when the section between Ennis and Athenry reopened in March 2010.  
* A section of the former Youghal branch line reopened between Glounthaune (formerly Cobh Junction) and Midleton in July 2009.
* A commuter line from Glasnevin Jn to Docklands, in Dublin, opened in March 2007.
 
However, other mooted (some much publicised) line re-openings are now cancelled.
 
In the private sector, the 3 foot gauge Waterford & Suir Valley Railway was extended by 2km in July 2010.
 
===Line closures===
The transversal lines, Limerick Jn - Waterford; [Limerick - ] Killonan Jn - Roscrea - Ballybrophy, and Ennis - Athenry, are under  threat, while even the economics of services on the line south of Gorey have been called into question. These have all been the subject of review by the National Transport Authority (the government appointed body responsible for subvention of loss making passenger services) in their [https://www.nationaltransport.ie/consultations/consultation-on-rail-review-2016/ 2016 Rail Review] of which the report and consultation documents (available from that link) provide interesting background information.
 
The outgoing IÉ Chief Executive Officer [http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/green-shoots-of-a-rail-recovery-on-the-emerald-isle.html?channel=537 said in 2018]: "Two or three of our routes may be better served by alternative public transport. Each passenger journey on the Nenagh branch now consumes EUR850 of public subsidy.  Limerick Junction - Waterford, the Western Rail Corridor (''Ennis - Athenry'') and Wexford - Rosslare have very little revenue."
 
IÉ withdrew the vestigial Rosslare Strand - Waterford passenger service in September 2010 (there is no freight service over the line which remains ''in situ'' but in unusable condition).
 
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.


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.
The line at Rosslare Europort was cut back in April 2008 - trains now use a very basic platform inconveniently located for the ferry terminal.


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.
===Freight===
IÉ's freight operations are now 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==
==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.
In addition to universal "Standard" class, First class is available on principal trains between Dublin and Cork, plus a few to and from Tralee and Limerick. "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.
There are no overnight services in Ireland.

Revision as of 21:34, 6 March 2018

Country Name

Republic of Ireland

National Railway System

Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) / Irish rail

National Railway Operator

Iarnród Éireann Railway Undertaking (IÉ-RU).

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

PDF Timetables

Printed Timetable

IÉ resumed publication of printed timetable leaflets for public use from November 2016. Unfortunately, not all routes are covered (for example, there is no printed timetable for DART) and the leaflets are notoriously difficult to obtain, other than at Dublin Connolly station.

Engineering Information

Get Live Travel Updates then select the station

Maps

Printed 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.

Web-based Maps

  • Excellent live maps showing the whereabouts of every DART, InterCity and Commuter train are available on the Irish RailTimetables page.
  • Thorsten Büker's British Isles and Ireland Map. Although this remains on-line, the Büker maps are no longer being maintained. Last updated May 2011.

Ticketing

Visitors to Dublin seeking a "day ticket" (or multi-day) facility will find the Leap Card advantageous, as it covers IÉ, Luas and Dublin Buses (including the Airlink Express services between the Airport and city centre).

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

On 25 March 2013 Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) was restructured into two separate business divisions - Iarnród Éireann Infrastructure Manager (IÉ-IM) and Iarnród Éireann Railway Undertaking (IÉ-RU). IÉ-IM does not have a separate website.

Network Statement

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.

Other passenger railways

None

Tourist lines

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 and miniature lines.

Metro

None.

Trams

A modern light rapid transit system - LUAS (Irish for "speed") - operates in Dublin. This is a street-running tram in the city centre, but mostly uses reserved track elsewhere. It includes sections of former main line railway from Broadstone and Harcourt Street stations.

Recent and future changes

The Irish railway system was allowed to deteriorate for many years, but 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 (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) electrified suburban system now extends south to Greystones and north to Malahide.

Line openings and reopenings - passenger

  • LUAS Green Line was extended northwards from St.Stephen's Green to Broombridge on 9 December 2017.
  • A weekday commuter service between Kildare and Grand Canal Dock - using the re-opened link between Islandbridge Junction (near Heuston) and Glasnevin Junction - commenced in November 2016.
  • Part of the former line from Clonsilla to Navan re-opened to M3 Parkway station in September 2010.
  • A direct link between Limerick and Galway was restored when the section between Ennis and Athenry reopened in March 2010.
  • A section of the former Youghal branch line reopened between Glounthaune (formerly Cobh Junction) and Midleton in July 2009.
  • A commuter line from Glasnevin Jn to Docklands, in Dublin, opened in March 2007.

However, other mooted (some much publicised) line re-openings are now cancelled.

In the private sector, the 3 foot gauge Waterford & Suir Valley Railway was extended by 2km in July 2010.

Line closures

The transversal lines, Limerick Jn - Waterford; [Limerick - ] Killonan Jn - Roscrea - Ballybrophy, and Ennis - Athenry, are under threat, while even the economics of services on the line south of Gorey have been called into question. These have all been the subject of review by the National Transport Authority (the government appointed body responsible for subvention of loss making passenger services) in their 2016 Rail Review of which the report and consultation documents (available from that link) provide interesting background information.

The outgoing IÉ Chief Executive Officer said in 2018: "Two or three of our routes may be better served by alternative public transport. Each passenger journey on the Nenagh branch now consumes EUR850 of public subsidy. Limerick Junction - Waterford, the Western Rail Corridor (Ennis - Athenry) and Wexford - Rosslare have very little revenue."

IÉ withdrew the vestigial Rosslare Strand - Waterford passenger service in September 2010 (there is no freight service over the line which remains in situ but in unusable condition).

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.

The line at Rosslare Europort was cut back in April 2008 - trains now use a very basic platform inconveniently located for the ferry terminal.

Freight

IÉ's freight operations are now 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" class, First class is available on principal trains between Dublin and Cork, plus a few to and from Tralee and Limerick. "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.

See also