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Limerick was first served by
rail when the Waterford & Limerick Railway opened their line from
Limerick city to the GSWR's mainline at
Limerick Jnc in 1848. W&LR became the
Waterford Limerick & Western railway who added an additional line from
Limerick city to far away places such as
Collooney via
Athenry and
Claremorris (The WRC). The GSWR also
built an additional line to Limerick from
Foynes and
Tralee (The North Kerry). Finally in
1901 the GSWR took over the WL&WR lines, becoming Ireland's largest
railway company. The line from Limerick to Athenry and Claremorris lost
their passenger services in 1976, but are due to be reinstated as part
of the
Western Rail Corridor in 2009 according to
Irish Rail. The North Kerry line
however lost its passenger service in 1963, but remained in use for
freight as far as Foynes until the late 1990s. The Foynes branch is due
to be disconnected with the upgrading of the trackwork and signalling
around the Limerick area.
Limerick is the starting
point for trains to
Ennis,
Ballybrophey via Nenagh,
Waterford,
Rosslare, and of course Dublin. The
station is due to be upgraded soon, but unfortunately the modern freight
depot beside the station is now out of use and has been sold. Limerick
is also home to the former W&LR workshops, now used by IE's new
Intercity railcars (DMUs) which had started to arrive in 2006. The
signal cabin at the station replaced the mechanical one in the late
1970s. |
.JPG "141/181 Class locomotives Nos.144+185...")
.JPG "The scene outside the former...")
.JPG "Another view of the relatively clean...")
.JPG "22000 Class railcar No.22026 is seen...")
.JPG "141 Class locomotives 171+162 stand...")
.JPG "162 & 2700 Class railcar No.2721 at...")
.JPG "171 at Limerick Station shortly after...")
.JPG "162 also detes from 1962.")
.JPG "171+162 are seen working multiple at...")
.JPG "With a new 22000 Class railcar on the...")
.JPG "171+162 now prepare to head out of...")
.JPG "22000 Class railcaes and Mk3 stock at...")
.JPG "2700 Class railcar No.2719 stands at...")
.JPG "2720 stands at Limerick Station prior...")
.JPG "2721 stands at Limerick Station prior...")
.JPG "The train shed at Limerick Station,...")
.JPG "2751 departs Limerick Station on a...")
.JPG "2719 passes colour light LK26, one of...")
.JPG "The way ahead as viewed on the front...")
.JPG "View along platform 1 at Limerick...")
.JPG "New 22000 Class railcars are seen...")
.JPG "Old Irish Rail sign complete with IR...")
.JPG "22000 Class railcars at Limerick...")
.JPG "Another view of the First Class...")
.JPG "141/181 Class locos 146+185 are seen...")
.JPG "171+162 are seen again but stabled...")
.JPG "142 is also seen outside Limerick...")
.JPG "Modern IE nameboard at Limerick...")
.JPG "1980s CTC signal next to an original...")
.JPG "141 Class locomotives 146+141 are...")
.JPG "View of 141 Class locos 146+141...")
.JPG "2700 Class railcar No.2713 heads past...")
.JPG "Side view of Limerick Works, taken...")
.JPG "Entrance to the 1850s Waterford &...")
.JPG "View taken from the the south side of...")
.JPG "The Waterford & Limerick Railway...")
.JPG "View of Limerick Check signal cabin,...")
.JPG "View looking towards Foynes (left...")
.JPG "The waste land beyond the tracks...")