Limerick Ennis Suspended until further notice

Colm Moore · 05-02-2008, 21:00

http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/news_ce...ew&news_id=330

Quote:

Ennis to Limerick line closed due to flooding by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann has advised that the Ennis to Limerick rail line is closed currently due to flooding on the line between Sixmilebridge and Ennis near Ballycar.

Iarnród Éireann apologies to customers for the inconvenience caused, and advise that train services between Ennis and Limerick will be replaced by bus transfers while the line in flooded.

The rail line will be monitored on an ongoing basis and Iarnród Eireann are hopeful of an early resumption of train services.

Mark Hennessy · 07-02-2008, 13:58

From RTE:

Quote:

Ennis rail services postponed until Sunday
Thursday, 7 February 2008 13:24

Iarnród Éireann has said there will be no rail services between Ennis and Limerick at least until Sunday,
because of flooding on the railway line.

Heavy rain has meant that a section of the line at Ballycar, between Ennis and Sixmilebridge is submerged under at least 12cm
of water, and there has been no improvement since yesterday.

The company says they are monitoring the situation on a daily basis, but given the flooding levels at present
they do not see the line opening so that services can resume before Sunday.
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Around 600 commuters living and working in both Ennis and Limerick use the nine daily services on the line.

Colm Moore · 09-02-2008, 23:39

RTÉ - "Ennis rail services postponed until Sunday" - cue about 50 trains all arriving in Ennis tomorrow. Looks like nothing will happen tomorrow.

http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/news_ce...ew&news_id=330

Quote:

Ennis to Limerick line closed due to flooding by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann has advised that the Ennis to Limerick rail line is closed currently due to flooding on the line between Sixmilebridge and Ennis near Ballycar.

Iarnród Éireann apologies to customers for the inconvenience caused, and advise that train services between Ennis and Limerick will be replaced by bus transfers while the line in flooded.

The rail line will be monitored on an ongoing basis and updates will be displayed on this website.

Tadhg17 · 12-02-2008, 01:00

I live not far from where the line is flooded at Ballycar and went down to see the flooding on Saturday. As far as you can see is just all water. There is way more flooding compared to what was shown on tv. By the looks of it, it could be a few weeks before the flooding has gone. Flooding on this part of the line has not happened in probably 10-12 years. It was stated that the line would be raised when they redid the line four years ago but to me it doesn't look like it was raised at all.

It was'nt nice travelling on the train through December and January on that section of the Ennis-Limerick line. The water was up near the tracks and even in the darkness in the evenings you could see light from the train bouncing off the water below

Tadhg17 · 12-02-2008, 21:54

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0212/rail.html

Two weeks before Ennis rail resumes
watch Tuesday, 12 February 2008 20:21

Iarnród Éireann has said it may be two more weeks before rail services between Ennis and Limerick resume.

Flooding on the track which forced its closure last Tuesday has worsened, with over a foot of water now covering the track in places.

Jim Gallivan, business development manager with Iarnród Éireann in Limerick, said raising the track will be considered after engineers carry out an examination.
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That examination will take place when the floodwater subsides.

The some 600 rail passengers who normally use the route daily are now forced to continue to travel on buses

ACustomer · 13-02-2008, 12:50

There is more to this than meets the eye. While it was very wet in January, it has been a lot drier recently and floodwaters should be receeding, not getting worse.

This is worse than any flooding since the line re-opened for passenger services. The problem was well-known, even back to the early 60s when they used steam locos to get trains through floods. In that case why was the line not raised a foot when the relay was done a few years ago?

Is there a problem because of negligence in mainitaining the drainage? By the Co Council, by a local landowner, or by IE itself?

Has some injudicious planning decision by the Council lead to development which has messed up the drainage or increased the runoff and put existing drainage under extra pressure?

Quetions, questions: will we get any answers?

Mark Hennessy · 12-03-2008, 13:46

Line will remain suspended for another two weeks.

dowlingm · 12-03-2008, 19:06

Who would have thought that you could bring down the mighty WRC with a garden hose. Oh yeah, anyone who's driven through there when it's been wet.

Add "flood prone" to the list of "tramway built, twisty, loads of LCs..."

Mark Hennessy · 12-03-2008, 21:40

Thats a lot of money.

Linky

Quote:

Ennis-Limerick rail line to remain closed
Wednesday, 12 March 2008 15:15

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that the Ennis to Limerick railway line is likely to be out of service until after Easter at the earliest.

The line has been flooded in Ballycar, close to Newmarket on Fergus in Co Clare, for 36 days, making the track impassable.

The line is being examined each day to check if there is any reduction in the floodwaters. It had been dropping by about an inch of water a day until last weekend, but heavy rain over the weekend and early this week means there is now seven inches of water on the track.
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The company also confirmed today that the service is suffering because of the ongoing flooding problems. Buses have been replacing the service, and while it is direct between both points, passenger numbers are down about 33%.

Around 600 passengers were using the train service every day. The bus journey takes around 55 minutes, whereas the train journey takes 35.

In addition it is estimated that the hire of buses to replace the train service has cost Iarnród Éireann over €250,000 so far.

Once the floodwaters recede, the tracks and the track walls will have to be checked to ensure its safe to reopen the line. This will also involve sending a light engine along the track to make sure its safe for the service to resume.

Tadhg17 · 27-03-2008, 18:56

That was alot of money to spend on a replacement bus service. Rail services on the line have now resumed, the water had gone off the line last weekend.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0327/rail.html?rss

Limerick to Ennis rail service resumes
Thursday, 27 March 2008 17:28

The Limerick to Ennis railway line reopened this morning for the first time in seven weeks.

Flooding on a section of the track near Newmarket on Fergus led to the line being closed.

Iarnród Éireann said it hoped future flooding of the track could be avoided and that the Office of Public Works has employed consultants to assess what options are open to it.
Advertisement

Passengers on the first trains to Limerick this morning expressed relief that they will no longer have to travel by road.

The Limerick to Ennis line is an integral part of the new western rail corridor, which is due to open next year.

From early 2009, trains will travel from Limerick to Galway via Ennis and Athenry.

Mark Gleeson · 27-03-2008, 19:07

Curious the passengers on the first trains quoted as follows

Quote:

Passengers on the first trains to Limerick this morning expressed relief that they will no longer have to travel by road.

First train was the 9:20 Limerick Ennis

Tadhg17 · 27-03-2008, 20:14

I guess they were refering to passengers leaving on the first few services from Ennis to Limerick this morning.

The service has barely restarted when there will be more disruption this weekend

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakin...p=mhojeyqlidid

Disrupted rail services due to get back on track
27/03/2008 - 07:12:48

Disrupted rail commuters in the mid west are expected to be back on track today with the re-opening of the Limerick to Ennis railway line.

Floods at a section of the line near Ballycar in Co Clare on February 6 forced transport chiefs to shut it down for several weeks.

Iarnród Éireann said it will carry out a final track inspection this morning after which it expects the route to return to normal service.

Passenger services are expected to start again with the 9.20am Limerick to Ennis service.

Iarnród Eireann also warned of further temporary disruption on the line however because of planned track improvement works at Ennis Junction.

The works will see train services replaced by bus transfers from 6pm on Saturday to 10am on Sunday.

A company spokesman apologised for the inconvenience caused, adding that he was looking forward to the full resumption of train services on the line from next Monday.

27-03-2008, 18:56	#10
Tadhg17 Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 49	Ennis Limerick line re-opens That was alot of money to spend on a replacement bus service. Rail services on the line have now resumed, the water had gone off the line last weekend. http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0327/rail.html?rss Limerick to Ennis rail service resumes Thursday, 27 March 2008 17:28 The Limerick to Ennis railway line reopened this morning for the first time in seven weeks. Flooding on a section of the track near Newmarket on Fergus led to the line being closed. Iarnród Éireann said it hoped future flooding of the track could be avoided and that the Office of Public Works has employed consultants to assess what options are open to it. Advertisement Passengers on the first trains to Limerick this morning expressed relief that they will no longer have to travel by road. The Limerick to Ennis line is an integral part of the new western rail corridor, which is due to open next year. From early 2009, trains will travel from Limerick to Galway via Ennis and Athenry. __________________ Check oot http://www.underthekitchensink.com/

27-03-2008, 20:14	#12
Tadhg17 Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 49	I guess they were refering to passengers leaving on the first few services from Ennis to Limerick this morning. The service has barely restarted when there will be more disruption this weekend http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakin...p=mhojeyqlidid Disrupted rail services due to get back on track 27/03/2008 - 07:12:48 Disrupted rail commuters in the mid west are expected to be back on track today with the re-opening of the Limerick to Ennis railway line. Floods at a section of the line near Ballycar in Co Clare on February 6 forced transport chiefs to shut it down for several weeks. Iarnród Éireann said it will carry out a final track inspection this morning after which it expects the route to return to normal service. Passenger services are expected to start again with the 9.20am Limerick to Ennis service. Iarnród Eireann also warned of further temporary disruption on the line however because of planned track improvement works at Ennis Junction. The works will see train services replaced by bus transfers from 6pm on Saturday to 10am on Sunday. A company spokesman apologised for the inconvenience caused, adding that he was looking forward to the full resumption of train services on the line from next Monday. __________________ Check oot http://www.underthekitchensink.com/

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12-02-2008, 01:00	#4
Tadhg17 Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 49	I live not far from where the line is flooded at Ballycar and went down to see the flooding on Saturday. As far as you can see is just all water. There is way more flooding compared to what was shown on tv. By the looks of it, it could be a few weeks before the flooding has gone. Flooding on this part of the line has not happened in probably 10-12 years. It was stated that the line would be raised when they redid the line four years ago but to me it doesn't look like it was raised at all. It was'nt nice travelling on the train through December and January on that section of the Ennis-Limerick line. The water was up near the tracks and even in the darkness in the evenings you could see light from the train bouncing off the water below

12-02-2008, 21:54	#5
Tadhg17 Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 49	http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0212/rail.html Two weeks before Ennis rail resumes watch Tuesday, 12 February 2008 20:21 Iarnród Éireann has said it may be two more weeks before rail services between Ennis and Limerick resume. Flooding on the track which forced its closure last Tuesday has worsened, with over a foot of water now covering the track in places. Jim Gallivan, business development manager with Iarnród Éireann in Limerick, said raising the track will be considered after engineers carry out an examination. Advertisement That examination will take place when the floodwater subsides. The some 600 rail passengers who normally use the route daily are now forced to continue to travel on buses

13-02-2008, 12:50	#6
ACustomer Really Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 767	There is more to this than meets the eye. While it was very wet in January, it has been a lot drier recently and floodwaters should be receeding, not getting worse. This is worse than any flooding since the line re-opened for passenger services. The problem was well-known, even back to the early 60s when they used steam locos to get trains through floods. In that case why was the line not raised a foot when the relay was done a few years ago? Is there a problem because of negligence in mainitaining the drainage? By the Co Council, by a local landowner, or by IE itself? Has some injudicious planning decision by the Council lead to development which has messed up the drainage or increased the runoff and put existing drainage under extra pressure? Quetions, questions: will we get any answers?

12-03-2008, 13:46	#7
Mark Hennessy Membership Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Maynooth Posts: 1,116	Line will remain suspended for another two weeks.

12-03-2008, 19:06	#8
dowlingm Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,371	Who would have thought that you could bring down the mighty WRC with a garden hose. Oh yeah, anyone who's driven through there when it's been wet. Add "flood prone" to the list of "tramway built, twisty, loads of LCs..."