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* January 2023 gallery updated 31st January 2023 *
* Ireland’s first all-electric town bus service in Athlone updated 29th January 2023 *
Foynes Line Reconstruction
Work is due to commence on reconstruction of the Limerick to Foynes for freight traffic in the coming weeks. On the 14th November 2022, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade was joined by Chief Executive of Shannon Foynes Port Company, Pat Keating at the port today to witness the unloading of rail destined for the first phase of works to reopen the Foynes to Limerick Rail line.
In advance of phase one of the project, vegetation clearance is already underway and it appears that the route has been fully cleared.
Phase one of this project involves the following works:
* Vegetation clearance and removal of existing track.
* Replacement of track formation and installation of a new ballast bed to current Iarnród Éireann standards.
* Rehabilitation and / or renewal of bridges and culverts.
* Supply and installation of new rail and concrete sleepers along the entire route.
* Renewal of road infrastructure at public road level crossings to modern standards.
* Renewal of accommodation crossings.
* Renewal of lineside fencing.
* Installation of infrastructure to accommodate the next phase of the project.
It is expected that these works will take two years to complete.
Phase two of the project will include; provision of a signalling system for the route, CCTV level crossings, train communications system and track connections and upgrades at Limerick and in Foynes Yard. Subject to funding allocation for phase 2 it is expected that this work will take 18 months to complete and it is anticipated that the route will open for freight services in 2025.
The current phase of work that is about to begin and the subsequent phases will facilitate rail freight services, but will not preclude the possibility of passenger services being reintroduced on this line in the future, but this would require further infrastructure upgrades and funding.
In advance of the work starting I undertook a photographic survey of the route on Sunday 27th November from Limerick City to Foynes. With the route being upgraded to modern standards no doubt many of the features of the route at stations and level crossings will vanish over the next three years.
It is intended to update this gallery as construction work proceeds.
Read MoreIn advance of phase one of the project, vegetation clearance is already underway and it appears that the route has been fully cleared.
Phase one of this project involves the following works:
* Vegetation clearance and removal of existing track.
* Replacement of track formation and installation of a new ballast bed to current Iarnród Éireann standards.
* Rehabilitation and / or renewal of bridges and culverts.
* Supply and installation of new rail and concrete sleepers along the entire route.
* Renewal of road infrastructure at public road level crossings to modern standards.
* Renewal of accommodation crossings.
* Renewal of lineside fencing.
* Installation of infrastructure to accommodate the next phase of the project.
It is expected that these works will take two years to complete.
Phase two of the project will include; provision of a signalling system for the route, CCTV level crossings, train communications system and track connections and upgrades at Limerick and in Foynes Yard. Subject to funding allocation for phase 2 it is expected that this work will take 18 months to complete and it is anticipated that the route will open for freight services in 2025.
The current phase of work that is about to begin and the subsequent phases will facilitate rail freight services, but will not preclude the possibility of passenger services being reintroduced on this line in the future, but this would require further infrastructure upgrades and funding.
In advance of the work starting I undertook a photographic survey of the route on Sunday 27th November from Limerick City to Foynes. With the route being upgraded to modern standards no doubt many of the features of the route at stations and level crossings will vanish over the next three years.
It is intended to update this gallery as construction work proceeds.
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