The burning money in the stove is a good analogy and what many people find annoying about this. Even if not all that much money was spent in relative terms it's still wasted money.
What is the situation regarding the track relaid between Nenagh and Killonan Jct? Is it fully "tamped" / "stressed" to permit optimal line speed throughout all such relaid stretches? (am not familiar with precise railway jargon). If not, why on earth not? Again the principle of getting the best out of what is in situ applies.
Pity this ending of service looks set to happen, with the likes of well-cared for stations such as Birdhill (celebrated its 150th in 2010), community interest and the Railway Garden there.
Is leaving Nenagh - Killonan operational in a commuter/Limerick outer-suburban context and mothballing Nenagh - Ballybrophy an option? In such a scenario and perhaps a few additional services is there any way the maths can possibly remotely balance up if factored over a number of years? (Would be interesting to have an independent assessment of this).
If one or two of the Portlaoise-Dublin early-morning services could start at Roscrea (ditto for an evening return) it could be a winner though it would have to be a commuter railcar rather than an ICR to minimise wear and tear on the line. The layout at Ballybrophy also conspires against such a service.
(Realise the items in last two paragraphs are highly unlikely).
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