IARNRÓD ÉIREANN/ IRISH RAIL
■ TRAFFIC AND TRACTION:
The Belview-Ballina XPO container service on April 20, was worked by GM No. 076.
This loco also worked the Belview-bound train on the 26th. No. 080 worked the Ballina bound train on May 11 and 18th. Loadings on the XPO trains have been good, with some fully loaded. Locomotives used on the IWT container service between Ballina and Dublin Port during the period under review included Nos.
072, 073, 076, 080, 081, 083, 215 and 219.
Timber traffic from Ballina/ Westport to Waterford featured Nos. 071, 073, 079, 083 and 088. Locomotives employed on bulk ore trains between Tara Mines, Navan and Alexandra Road, North Wall included Nos. 072, 076, 079 and 083. The use of 201 Class locomotives on ballast duties is common, but the use of two members of the class, one at each end of an eight-wagon High Output Ballast train, is very rare. Nos. 215 and 223 were active on ballast duties in the Athenry area on May 9.
A bridge strike at Portlaoise on the 11th saw services suspended until the structure was inspected and declared safe. A private charter which visited Killarney on May 14 featured GM No. 229 and a Mk.4 push pull train. A level crossing between Tralee and Farranfore was damaged by a road vehicle on the 16th. Services were disrupted. The 17.05 Tralee-Cork was delayed and Dublin-bound passengers were advised that the connecting service would be the 19.25 Cork-Heuston instead of the 18.25.
■ NEWS IN BRIEF:
Public transport fares in the Republic of Ireland were cut by a minimum of 20% from May 9, to encourage patronage and help reduce carbon emissions. Irish Rail announced in mid-May that the final phase of track relaying of the Nenagh branch (Killonan Junction-Ballybrophy) had been started and was planned to be completed by July 31.
Rail Gourmet, which provides Irish Rail’s on board catering on its internal services, stated on May 16 that it would be withdrawing from rail-based activities. The company said significant extra costs and staff issues were responsible. Catering on the jointly operated cross border ‘Enterprise’ service is unaffected