Closure on the cards. A wanton throwaway of an asset whose potential is being ignored

Thomas J Stamp · 07-04-2010, 15:19

If the rationale for Irish Rail is to judge each line and make a call on this basis then they may shut the WRC today. It costs roughly the same as this line and has roughly the same passengers.

So, we shall see the closure of Ballybrophy-Limerick? Will we see the end of Limerick Junction to Waterford? Clonmel to Waterford? Where will they draw the line?

Will we see merely mainline routes servicing Dublin from Cork/Limerick/Galway/Sligo/Belfast and Wexford?

It is a disgrace, and a sick one, for Irish Rail to say that they have done anything to increase awareness of this line, nor done anything to improve the take up of services. For this to be the truth they could have started with running a service that actually caters to the demands of the people there. As with the Ballybrophy line and also with the Limerick Junction to Waterford line we have Trains running at the wrong times and in the wrong direction. Of course there is low take up, but that is because of Irish Rail intransigence and stupidity not to mention sheer incompetance.

Lying on your back and waving your legs in the air is not a rail strategy. Irish rail have committed the cardinal sin yet again - they have forgone their right to run the rail service in this state. If they cannot make a line work then THEY should be out of work. They have not only failed to prepare as Roy Keane would say - they have willingly sacrificed this line. If that will do this then they negate their right to run regional rail at all in this state.

Whilst the reopening of any line is to be welcomed - a vampire line is most unwelcome. I hope that the legions of policitians who rode on the WRC opening day and have not gone near it since will turn up in Wellingtonbridge tonight and berate Irish Rail mismanagment for their closing of this line to placate the egos and fantasies of well meaning but betrayed people, for here is the irony = the closure of this line for the reaons stated is the closure of the WRC and Ballybrophy and anywhere else Irish Rail Mismanagement can strike a line through.

This is the abandonment of regional rail in thios country, and for the reasons why they are doing it every one of them from Boardroom to Service Managers, should be ashamed of themselves.

comcor · 07-04-2010, 15:39

It'll make a nice photo op for some minister to be at the reopening in 20 years time.

on the move · 07-04-2010, 16:04

Today at 5.30pm, the Transport Committee are meeting in Dail Eireann, to discuss the future of the Limerick-Rosslare line. Live coverage is available at the Live Webcast page of www.oireachtas.ie

Mark Gleeson · 07-04-2010, 16:32

A bit late, there was a board meeting this morning in Dublin

Decision to close was taken then

James Howard · 07-04-2010, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by comcor

It'll make a nice photo op for some minister to be at the reopening in 20 years time.

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the barrow bridge on this line? Ig it is and they close this line, it won't be reopening. This bridge alone would cost more than the entire WRC to reinstate.

The heritage line idea might be worth pursuing. It seems to me that given the level of service on this line at the moment it might as well be closed anyway. So if somebody could make a go of running steam excursions on it in the summer if might bring some tourism into the area.

I suppose that this sort of ideasos a bit creative for the cynical Irish mindset but heritage rail does a roaring trade in the uk and it is only a couple of hours from Rosslare.

Mark Gleeson · 07-04-2010, 19:32

The bridge is staying in place

The heritage option is a decoy, it would require mainline standards as the end stations are still live on the network. As there is now a requirement to have a black box, there are only 2 privately owned locomotives certified for operation on the network, none of preserved diesels can be certified currently.

And say bye bye to any chance of a competitive journey time

Jister · 07-04-2010, 21:05

Its tragic to let a line go. Its not like an air route that can be abandoned and reinstated on a whim (Shannon - Heathrow for example)

Once a line closes it is a colossal task to reopen it. Of course 10 years ago was the time to save the line - direct running from Weford town to Rosslare and cluster populations at the stations along the way.

dowlingm · 08-04-2010, 02:06

Well, it seems the IE board isn't scared of the newly appointed minister for keeping seats in Wexford. I think the worst thing about this process is the rationale for both deciding to open a line (WRC) and closing one (South Wexford) is far from transparent. Good news for the Ballyhack ferry too I suppose since converting the Barrow bridge to road isn't on.

A bunch of IE honchos were supposed to be in wellington bridge tonight - bet they had a hot reception.

Does removing the South Wexford have an implication for the morning Rosslare-Dublin, or are those lines isolated from each other due to their different signalling at present?

Assuming that the government haven't the balls to force IE to reverse and to properly timetable the line service, I guess the next question is what the short term implication is for equipment/crewing reallocation, or whether the intent is to rob resources for politically favoured lines elsewhere.

07-04-2010, 15:19	#1
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	If the rationale for Irish Rail is to judge each line and make a call on this basis then they may shut the WRC today. It costs roughly the same as this line and has roughly the same passengers. So, we shall see the closure of Ballybrophy-Limerick? Will we see the end of Limerick Junction to Waterford? Clonmel to Waterford? Where will they draw the line? Will we see merely mainline routes servicing Dublin from Cork/Limerick/Galway/Sligo/Belfast and Wexford? It is a disgrace, and a sick one, for Irish Rail to say that they have done anything to increase awareness of this line, nor done anything to improve the take up of services. For this to be the truth they could have started with running a service that actually caters to the demands of the people there. As with the Ballybrophy line and also with the Limerick Junction to Waterford line we have Trains running at the wrong times and in the wrong direction. Of course there is low take up, but that is because of Irish Rail intransigence and stupidity not to mention sheer incompetance. Lying on your back and waving your legs in the air is not a rail strategy. Irish rail have committed the cardinal sin yet again - they have forgone their right to run the rail service in this state. If they cannot make a line work then THEY should be out of work. They have not only failed to prepare as Roy Keane would say - they have willingly sacrificed this line. If that will do this then they negate their right to run regional rail at all in this state. Whilst the reopening of any line is to be welcomed - a vampire line is most unwelcome. I hope that the legions of policitians who rode on the WRC opening day and have not gone near it since will turn up in Wellingtonbridge tonight and berate Irish Rail mismanagment for their closing of this line to placate the egos and fantasies of well meaning but betrayed people, for here is the irony = the closure of this line for the reaons stated is the closure of the WRC and Ballybrophy and anywhere else Irish Rail Mismanagement can strike a line through. This is the abandonment of regional rail in thios country, and for the reasons why they are doing it every one of them from Boardroom to Service Managers, should be ashamed of themselves. __________________ We are the passengers

07-04-2010, 16:04	#3
on the move Regular Poster Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 176	Today at 5.30pm, the Transport Committee are meeting in Dail Eireann, to discuss the future of the Limerick-Rosslare line. Live coverage is available at the Live Webcast page of www.oireachtas.ie __________________ "We'd like to apologise for..."

07-04-2010, 16:32	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	A bit late, there was a board meeting this morning in Dublin Decision to close was taken then __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

07-04-2010, 19:32	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The bridge is staying in place The heritage option is a decoy, it would require mainline standards as the end stations are still live on the network. As there is now a requirement to have a black box, there are only 2 privately owned locomotives certified for operation on the network, none of preserved diesels can be certified currently. And say bye bye to any chance of a competitive journey time __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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07-04-2010, 15:39	#2
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	It'll make a nice photo op for some minister to be at the reopening in 20 years time.

07-04-2010, 21:05	#7
Jister Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 118	Its tragic to let a line go. Its not like an air route that can be abandoned and reinstated on a whim (Shannon - Heathrow for example) Once a line closes it is a colossal task to reopen it. Of course 10 years ago was the time to save the line - direct running from Weford town to Rosslare and cluster populations at the stations along the way.

08-04-2010, 02:06	#8
dowlingm Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,371	Well, it seems the IE board isn't scared of the newly appointed minister for keeping seats in Wexford. I think the worst thing about this process is the rationale for both deciding to open a line (WRC) and closing one (South Wexford) is far from transparent. Good news for the Ballyhack ferry too I suppose since converting the Barrow bridge to road isn't on. A bunch of IE honchos were supposed to be in wellington bridge tonight - bet they had a hot reception. Does removing the South Wexford have an implication for the morning Rosslare-Dublin, or are those lines isolated from each other due to their different signalling at present? Assuming that the government haven't the balls to force IE to reverse and to properly timetable the line service, I guess the next question is what the short term implication is for equipment/crewing reallocation, or whether the intent is to rob resources for politically favoured lines elsewhere.