You can really see how impossible it would be to run modern rail services on this line without Dublin-Metro-type collossal investment and rebuilding from the foundations up in this photo.
http://groups.msn.com/irishrailwayne...hotoID=125 38
There are dozens of sections of the Burma Road like this between Tuam and Coolooney. And this isn't even counting the 100 or so level crossings.
http://groups.msn.com/irishrailwayne...hotoID=125 40
I think I finally get it why Cullen ordered the cleaning of this section is being fast-tracked. It really brings home to people who know nothing about railways, how impossible a project the entire Sligo-Limerick WRC concept always was.
Even to the most casual observer, anyone who thinks that the WRC is a main transport artery really need to take a good look at these photos and think twice.
Mind you, some of us tried to tell some people this years ago...some people just can't deal with the truth. Hopefully now, these people will finally get it.