Limerick to Foynes railway reopening plan

[murphaph]

Thanks John. So we can probably expect some more works there if there really is a customer for bulk traffic in the midlands. Fingers crossed it materialises.

[thewanderer]

071's break new ground at 50!

On Saturday 14th November, a HOBS train was scheduled to operate over the rebuilt Limerick – Foynes Line, between Limerick and Robertstown Viaduct (circa 24¾MP) to drop ballast at several locations on the rebuilt railway. The train left Limerick Jct. at 0720 and after being looped at Dromkeen to pass the 0745 Limerick – Heuston, it arrived into Limerick Check at 0825 and entered the Absolute Possession T3 Limerick – Foynes and was noted passing Rathbane Level Crossing at 0839. Operated by 077 and 087 in top and tail mode this marked the first locomotive hauled train over the rebuilt railway (2800 Class DMU’s were used for the recent signalling commissioning) and even more remarkable this marked the first ever visit of the 50 year old 071 Class Locos to the railway as the class were previously banned due to a weight restriction over Robertstown Viaduct, which has been rebuilt as part of the re-build. 

The HOBS train operated directly to just beyond Robertstown Viaduct on the Foynes side and had arrived by 1005 hrs. The first ballast drop took place on the Foynes side of Robertstown Viaduct with further drops taking place at Glenbane, Morgans South, in the vicinity of the River Deel Bridge near Askeaton and Knockdromin Level Crossing. The crew had a small break at Adare before continuing to Limerick Check arriving just after 1300hrs. After a 1 hour break the empty HOBS train continued to Limerick Jct. to stable departing at 1410. 

Other images from later in the day include a lovely Broom 425 cruiser at Garrykennedy Marina on Lough Derg and a chance video of the 1710 Limerick – Ballybrophy leaving Nenagh. 

Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2026-Photos/November-2026/i-S85rGxL to view all of this historic visit to the rebuilt Foynes Line.