Oola Bridge Disruption

[ACustomer]

The level of disruption due to the bridge works at Oola (between Limerick and Lim Jcn) seems extraordinary: 3 full days closure per week for at least 4 weeks.

They were able to replace quite large bridges on the Cork line over a weekend, why not at Oola? On 4 days a week trains are able to run through Oola so it's not as if there is some total demolition of a bridge and abutments.

There was a large new bridge built near Tralee a few yoars ago and to ensure continuity of service they built a temporaty diversion around the site, and this was on a much less busy line.

What's going on? Track works in the Limerick area seem to take forever.

[Mark Gleeson]

Talk to the NRA, some strange goings on there and some fairly major engineering

[Thomas J Stamp]

always a silver lining

http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/loc...line-1-4018307

Published on Wednesday 4 July 2012 15:45

THE Ballybrophy rail line that serves towns from Ballybrophy to Limerick is to get an extra train service during July because of engineering works on between Limerick and Limerick Junction.

The new service was welcomed by Dr Duncan Martin, PRO of the Nenagh Rail Partnership, who said that if enough people used this temporary service, the group would press Iarnród Éireann to make it permanent. Local tourism interests should make use of it to attract visitors to the area, some of whom would be attracted by the novelty of the service, he said.
“The new direct train service from Dublin will leave Heuston at 1340h and might be ideal for someone returning from a morning shopping trip or hospital appointment, for someone from Dublin traveling to North Tipperary, or, indeed, for anyone needing to get to Limerick from North Tipperary,” he said.
The service will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only throughout July. It will arrive Ballybrophy at 1455, where it will reverse on to the Nenagh line, so there’s no need to change trains, then Roscrea at 1534, Cloughjordan 1552, Nenagh at 1608, Birdhill at 1632, Castleconnell at 1645 and Limerick at 1705.
Dr Martin also pointed out that a computer glitch on the railway website was causing these trains to appear as “fully booked”, so tickets probably cannot be booked online. However, Irish Rail management had assured the NRP that there will be plenty of space. Tickets can be booked on the day of travel, either at the booking office or, for unstaffed stations, on the train (cash only). Return tickets will also be valid.
Dr Martin said that the service will be operated by one of Iarnród Éireann’s newest Intercity Rail Cars, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride. He suggested that parents might like to take their children for a short outing on the ICR, even if only for a couple of stations down the line and returning by one of the regular evening trains and suggested that Castleconnell would be an ideal destination for an afternoon trip.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by ACustomer

They were able to replace quite large bridges on the Cork line over a weekend, why not at Oola? On 4 days a week trains are able to run through Oola so it's not as if there is some total demolition of a bridge and abutments.

It will really depend on the nature of the works. On some bridges the life expired part might be the span, on others the abutments and others the foundations. There will of course be other factors like how busy the road and railway are, ground conditions, access, working space, etc.

Replacing the span on a steel or pre-cast concrete bridge can be quite straightforward - lift one out and the other in and re-do the track. Others, like the Shannon bridge on the Sligo line will take weeks to set up, never mind to do any actual work.

It may be that they are using the current schedule to do foundation work, e.g. piles or underpinning and then when they have sufficient strength in the foundations, they can do the actual span.

[Jamie2k9]

Realignment of the road and bridge is taken place which is why its taken longer than a normal bridge replacment.

[karlr42]

The difference in time taken when using the Nenagh route is fairly stark in the temporary timetable, and I really don't see who would use it.

[Mark Gleeson]

THe only reason the 13:40 is running is to ensure there is a train in Limerick for the 05:05 service the next day

[Thomas J Stamp]

Originally Posted by karlr42

The difference in time taken when using the Nenagh route is fairly stark in the temporary timetable, and I really don't see who would use it.

Attachment 1496

as mark says it is only being done to provide the alan kelly express the next day. As can be seen above, the Nenagh Rail Group would like to make it permanent.

i imagine it crosses with the 1605 ex limerick at some point, but that time table dosnt say what the train will be doing on the branch, even though the NRP statement is clear that it will serve all stops to limerick. Its a long old haul though.

[Mark Gleeson]

It does not serve Birdhill as it passes the 16:05 there

I'd guess there will be a decent load on the train, as passengers general favour a direct train over a bus replacement

Will anyone get on or off on the branch is the question, odds it would be exactly 0

[ACustomer]

There may be quite a few people who get on the 1340, expecting it to arrive in Limerick at 1550, because they are relying on the "normal" timetable leaflet and are not aware of the special arrangements. Imagine how they feel when they get to Limerick at 1705, and when they realise that by waiting for the 1400 to Cork and changing at the Junction, they could have been in Limerick at 1615.

A high price to pay for not having to walk 10 metres across a platform at Limerick Junction.

And by the way there is a poster in Heuston advertising the new 1340 to Limerick, arrival time 1550.

[karlr42]

Originally Posted by ACustomer

There may be quite a few people who get on the 1340, expecting it to arrive in Limerick at 1550, because they are relying on the "normal" timetable leaflet and are not aware of the special arrangements. Imagine how they feel when they get to Limerick at 1705

This is exactly what I see happening.

[neoncircles]

Originally Posted by ACustomer

There may be quite a few people who get on the 1340, expecting it to arrive in Limerick at 1550, because they are relying on the "normal" timetable leaflet and are not aware of the special arrangements. Imagine how they feel when they get to Limerick at 1705, and when they realise that by waiting for the 1400 to Cork and changing at the Junction, they could have been in Limerick at 1615.

A high price to pay for not having to walk 10 metres across a platform at Limerick Junction.

And by the way there is a poster in Heuston advertising the new 1340 to Limerick, arrival time 1550.

There is a bus substitution in operation from the Junction to Limerick...hence why the 1340 is operating via the Nenagh Branch!