Busy autumn full of line improvement works for Irish Rail
With record investment in the Republic of Ireland’s rail network under the aegis of a National Development Plan, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) is currently undertaking a wide range of rail projects. RailTech summarises the line improvement works scheduled for this fall.
Irish Rail ended the summer season with points and crossing works as well as train protection system works on the Malahide to Drogheda line, as well as track renewal and ballast works on the Kildare to Newbridge and Clara to Athlone lines in August. The national railway network of Ireland started the month of September with Points and crossing works on the Athlone to Ballinasloe line, and track renewal on the Kildare to Newbridge line.
The weekend of 16-17 September saw points and crossing works at Dublin’s Heuston Station, overhead line renewal, train protection system works and track renewal on the Connolly to Dun Laoghaire line, and an underpass installation at the Limerick to Limerick Junction. The following weekend will be marked by ballast works as well as train protection system works on the Malahide to Drogheda line, in addition to ballast works and bridge maintenance on the Carrick-on-Shannon to Sligo line, affecting traffic between Connolly and Sligo.
October
October will kick off with train protection system works and new station works on the Dun Laoghaire to Bray line, affecting Southside DART services, and the connection between Connolly and Rosslare. Irish rail will conduct overhead line, track and train protection system works on the Connolly to Dun Laoghaire line, affecting Southside DART services and the connection between Connolly and Rosslare.
Ballast works will take place on the Portarlington to Tullamore line, affecting service between Heuston and Galway/Westport. Finally, they will close out the month with overhead line, points and crossings, and train protection system works on the Connolly to Drogheda line, affecting Northside DART, Northern Commuter, and Belfast Enterprise services.
November
From November 2 to 6, and from November 16 to 20 as well as 30 November and 3 December, station works will be undertaken in Rushbrooke, on the Glounthaune to Cobh line, affecting service between Cork and Cobh. On the weekend of 11-12 November 2023, Irish Rail will conduct track renewal works on the Kildare to Newbridge line, affecting the following services: Heuston to Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, and Westport, as well as Heuston to Kildare and Portlaoise. These extensive works will also impact weekday traffic.
Also on Armistice Day, Ballast works will be undertaken on the Limerick to Limerick Junction, affecting its services. Lastly, on 25 and 26 November, Bridge and track renewal works on the Portlaoise to Ballybrophy line will affect service between Heuston and Cork, Kerry, as well as Limerick, and points and crossings renewal will take place at Galway Station, affecting service from there to Athenry.
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