New Passing Loop between Cherryville - Athy?
 

Are IE putting a passing loop in about half way between Athy - Cherryville. They have layed stones and removed a gate crossing on the line. Where the works are taken place the area is just a little longer than a 6 car ICR set.

They have had a 25 speed limit over the last while.

If they are not putting one in what are they doing?

Its the only thing that they could be doing as they are not moving the main line. Its looking the exact same way whenn they were doing the loop at Ballyhale.

I would be very surprised if a new loop were being provided between Cherryville Junction and Athy at this time. Long term, post celtic tiger revival (!), this section might be re-doubled so as to facilitate enhanced local services.

I would guess the work being described might relate to embankment stabilisation - what mileage is the work taking place at ?

I very much doubt its a passing loop, if it was it would be much longer 350-400m

The cheap solution to capacity is an intermediate block signal as per Galway Athenry and Bray Greystones which allows two trains in the same direction in a single track section

Its probably elimination of a crossing and related works