Limerick Ennis Suspended until further notice

[Mark Hennessy]

Thats a lot of money.

Linky

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]

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.
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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]

Curious the passengers on the first trains quoted as follows

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]

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.