BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor

Subject: BS: Iarnrod Eireann - Western Rail Corridor
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 21 Jan 09 - 11:56 AM

Intersting prog on RTE 1 20/01/09 Duncan Stewart investigating re-opening the Western Rail Corridor from Limerick to Sligo:

http://www.westontrack.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann - Western Rail Corridor
From: michaelr
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 01:10 AM

How long is the trip?

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann - Western Rail Corridor
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 02:55 AM

Gee, Limerick to Sligo to Donegal is a railroad trip I'd love to take. The highways are too narrow for my tastes, but it would be a glorious train trip.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 07:34 AM

When I tried to play the clip, said I couldn't - unless I lived in Ireland, which I do - strange!

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 09:23 AM

I have relatives living in that general area ~ specifically, at Ballyhaunis, County Mayo ~ so I'm interested despite living far across the ocean.

I'd be interested in seeing a map showing the exact location of the entire line, including the stops. I suppose the Claremorris station would be closest to my ancestral home...

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: ard mhacha
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 09:31 AM

Poppagator the map is on Jim Martins `bluey`, all the way from Limerick to Sligo.

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 09:42 AM

Thanks. I clicked the link a few minutes ago, snooped around a bit, and decided that I did not have time to play the featured video. However, I didn't notice the "Maps" button at first, not until your reponsse prompted me to back and look a little harder.

Now I see that Ballyhaunis is a station on the currently-operational east-west line, one quick stop east of Claremorris on this reopening north-south route. Wish I could be there to take a ride!

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again City)
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 11:01 AM

Is it really necessary for it to go all the way to Limerick?

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 11:07 AM

The soon to be re-opened Gort station is not too far from a very magical part of Ireland very well worth a visit - The Burren:

http://www.burrenbeo.com/burren-overview.aspx

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 12:42 PM

"Is it really necessary for it to go all the way to Limerick?"

I suppose you're implying that Shannon Airport might was well be the southern terminus of the route? I would think not.

For international travelers, it's probaly true that many trips will originate from, and return to, the airport, and that most such trips will head north, to one or another of the many possible dstinations in that direction.

But surely there would be significant numbers traveling between the airport and the nearest large city, Limerick, wouldn't there?

And as far as local/domestic travellers are concerned, there is certainly a much larger population surrounding the Limerick station than there is out around the airport...

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 09:12 PM

There have been plans to build a rail link to Shannon but I think it's been ruled out on, of course, grounds of cost. What they seem to be pushing for now is a park & drive facility at Sixmilebridge which would be the nearest station to the airport, hardly a sustainable alternative! The most sustainable alternative at present is the bus link from Limerick to the airport.

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: michaelr
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 12:30 AM

Joe, I drove from Dublin to Sligo to Donegal, then on to Bushmills and Gian't's Causeway and back to Dublin in 2006. Yes, the roads are narrower than what we're used to, but quite serviceable. And the scenery is one-of-a-kind spectacular!

Thing about trains is, you can't stop them to explore things like the Slieve League sea cliffs.

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corri
From: Amos
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 02:00 AM

Maps of the line.

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: PoppaGator
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 03:42 PM

The map shows "Shannon" as a station on the new line, the only stop between Limerick and Ennis.

Is that not at (or, at least, near) the airport?

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 09:58 PM

The station which is located at Sixmilebridge, is a few miles from Shannon Airport:

http://www.irishtourist.com/clare/towns/sixmilebridge/

Subject: RE: BS: Iarnrod Eireann-Ireland Western Rail Corridor
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 05:45 AM

refresh