New freight flows

[201bhoy]

Heard from someone at the show on Saturday that there could be a new liner train to Cork to June/July this year, and another grain liner to Portlaoise as well! Anyone like to comment on this? Would be class if it was true!

[gm171 kk]

Thanks for the info! I was told by IE last year they planned a new liner on the Cork route but like you said before, North Esk is closed off from the main line. It would be great to see another bulk freight flow in Ireland as they usually need specialised roling stock. What could they use for it, the shale or bogie beet wagons maybe if they are still around?

[irishrail123]

Heard about the cork liner myself allright but first i heard about the portlaoise one. Interesting

[201bhoy]

Thanks for the info! I was told by IE last year they planned a new liner on the Cork route but like you said before, North Esk is closed off from the main line. It would be great to see another bulk freight flow in Ireland as they usually need specialised roling stock. What could they use for it, the shale or bogie beet wagons maybe if they are still around?

 

No I was told that the grain would be carried in containers. It's a bit of a bity, isn't it? Would be nice to see some new wagons for a change. And I was also told that the liner would load and unload by the quay in the runround loop outside the shed.

[gm171 kk]

Do you know will this grain train be going to Waterford like it used to? It will probably be hauled by the standard bogie flats with open top covered containers like it did before except those were 20' containers on the 4w flats.

[201bhoy]

Do you know will this grain train be going to Waterford like it used to? It will probably be hauled by the standard bogie flats with open top covered containers like it did before except those were 20' containers on the 4w flats.

 

You could be right about the rolling stock, I might have misheard. And I think (don't quote me!) that it will be going from Dublin?

[Glenderg]

Vincent, I think the most likely punter is UBC/IBC /Interbulk group - them with the red 20' and 40' containers. They specialise in dry bulk grain and Portlaoise would make a perfect loading terminal (CIE have loads of land to spare in PL) from the midlands for grain and dry goods, loading onto the mainline to Cork for onward shipping to south america etc. A straight run in laymans terms. Would be great if it worked out, nice to dream...!

 

Have you got container/freight on the brain be any chance?

[201bhoy]

Hahaha! Can't stop thinking of container traffic since I saw those photos earlier! It sounds quite promising, imagine two new freight flows by next year!

[Railer]

Is there enough spare locos is another question. 18 071s, 1 confined to Inchicore, 3 in overhaul, 2 needed daily for the taras, leaves about 12 for current freight flows IWT, timber and DFDS and PWD duties plus wagon transfers.

 

There is 22 active 201s, 11 stripped of major parts, 1 damaged waiting repair for over 2 years, 4 needed daily for the Enterprise including a spare, 9 needed daily for Mk4s including a spare at Inchicore and Cork. Leaves 7 over for IWTs, timbers and DFDS freights.

 

Fairly tight if there was another freight flow added.

[gm171 kk]

Now that you point that out I don't see it happening. Can the non push pull 201s not be saved at all?

[BosKonay]

Are the running numbers rotated around or do specific locos tend to stick with the same role?

[Railer]

Now that you point that out I don't see it happening. Can the non push pull 201s not be saved at all?

 

They are being used as a source of spare parts for the rest of the fleet. Some are missing major engine parts and one even has it's fuel tank removed. 225 needs alot of work to ever come back again and is just left sitting in Inchicore. Suppose if they needed to, 216 and 225 would be the two to come back first as they can be rotated onto the Mk4s as needed.

[Railer]

Are the running numbers rotated around or do specific locos tend to stick with the same role?

 

222 and 234 seem to be regular freight locos lately and don't end up on the Mk4s as much as the others. 223 and 232 are other regular freight 201s.

 

209 has gone back to Mk4s seeing as the Mk3 EGVs are acting up and 209's HEP equipment is out of action long term so it won'tbe on Enterprise duties until all the EGVs are back in action.

 

Other than that they seem to swap around.

[BosKonay]

You're an absolute mine of information railer thank you!

[Railer]

You're an absolute mine of information railer thank you!

 

I couldn't take credit for most of it. I have some well respected sources who are on the ball.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Sources tell me that new management in IE are pushing for more freight for the company to try and make more money. The 071's new paint job are only the start of it.

[Riversuir226]

Sources tell me that new management in IE are pushing for more freight for the company to try and make more money. The 071's new paint job are only the start of it.

 

IE have advertisement boards up in Waterford station for the last few months outlining there freight capabilities bulk, container, timber etc.

223 has been turning up in Waterford quite a lot lately as railer said on freight, 209 was here regulary over the last few months as well.

On the grain, i would have thought Waterford(Belview) would be easier due to the direct transfer of containers from rail to ship whereas Cork doesn t have that option unless they bring back Tivoli plus if the grain was to be exported via Belview they could use the Limerick junction-Waterford line which lets face it needs the business.

I have heard that the new "boss" in IE does want locos divided into pools, passenger, freight and infrastructure & yes the 077 is only the start of it.

[Mayner]

Vincent, I think the most likely punter is UBC/IBC /Interbulk group - them with the red 20' and 40' containers. They specialise in dry bulk grain and Portlaoise would make a perfect loading terminal (CIE have loads of land to spare in PL) from the midlands for grain and dry goods, loading onto the mainline to Cork for onward shipping to south america etc. A straight run in laymans terms. Would be great if it worked out, nice to dream...!

 

Have you got container/freight on the brain be any chance?

 

 

I would imagine the traffic is likely to be imported maize from South America for cattle feed like Avonmore in the 1990s Ireland hasn't really got the dry climate or wide open spaces for growing grain.

 

I would imagine the grain would be shipped in bulk carriers to Ireland with distribution by container.

 

Hardly the volume to justify Glanbia or Kerry Group building shuttle loaders that typically load 100 car trains.

[Warbonnet]

Have we not heard these rumours many times before and they never seem to become reality? I would love to see more freight as much as everyone else but I think it's a case of 'I'll believe it when I see it.'

 

Those 201s may be heavily stripped in some cases, but maybe they could rebuild a few good ones out of them and bin the rest. EMD parts are readily available too if all were needed but I can't see that happening.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Have we not heard these rumours many times before and they never seem to become reality? I would love to see more freight as much as everyone else but I think it's a case of 'I'll believe it when I see it.'

 

 

Fran there is new management at the helm and there is now a big push on to show a profit in the company. My sources are usually very good. As I said the new livery 071's are just the start of things to come but only time will tell.

[The Train Man]

Stobart Rail!!!

[heirflick]

Stobart Rail!!!

 

jesus shem - you better start spraying some 071's in the stobart livery!!

[The Train Man]

jesus shem - you better start spraying some 071's in the stobart livery!!

 

We may await an update from "The Oracle"!!!

[BosKonay]

Would be fun to see what one would look like

 

Maybe the new 'primer' 071's are a hint at future rebranding

[Glenderg]

Would be fun to see what one would look like

Not taking the bait. too busy today, but i'll do it when some better low angle shots of Darth Slatey come out.

[201bhoy]

I have heard that the new "boss" in IE does want locos divided into pools, passenger, freight and infrastructure & yes the 077 is only the start of it.

 

Infrastucture? SNCF bright yellow would be cool! By the way, yous do you know that no matter where this grain liner goes, there apparently will be another liner to Cork! Apparently they will use the run around loop or that track beside the quay for unloading! Would be nice to see freight returning to the 3rd city!

[Guest hidden-agenda]

It would take a good painter to paint the Stobart livery on an 071 or 201.

[scahalane]

By the way, yous do you know that no matter where this grain liner goes, there apparently will be another liner to Cork! Apparently they will use the run around loop or that track beside the quay for unloading! Would be nice to see freight returning to the 3rd city!

 

Freight returning to Cork would be great but my understanding is that there's a new road layout planned to go through the old freight yard with everything from the cement silo to the quay side loop being torn up. The planning office are expecting a submission in the next couple of weeks so all will be revealed then.

[201bhoy]

 

Freight returning to Cork would be great but my understanding is that there's a new road layout planned to go through the old freight yard with everything from the cement silo to the quay side loop being torn up. The planning office are expecting a submission in the next couple of weeks so all will be revealed then.

 

Oh dear, that could be that then. Why did they immediately cut off North Esk anyway? Surely they might have anticipated needing it in the future?

[josefstadt]

 

Freight returning to Cork would be great but my understanding is that there's a new road layout planned to go through the old freight yard with everything from the cement silo to the quay side loop being torn up. The planning office are expecting a submission in the next couple of weeks so all will be revealed then.

 

An application (File No. 1335599) for a new concourse / entrance buildng at Kent Station and changes to the adjacent road network was submitted to Cork City Council on 22 April. The development description reads:

 

'A new entrance building 310m2 with dual entrance and vertical access to a subsurface link 100m2 connected to the southern end of stations existing under pass. The entrance building will incorporate customer information systems, public address, ticket vending,seating, commercial advertising, provision for potential future retail vending. New bi-directional road linking Railway Street/Alfred Street and Horgans Quay serving the new entrance building which will include partial demolition of existing protected perimeter stone wall to form junction with Horgans Quay. New road will incorporate traffic lights, traffic calming features, pavements, bus stops with shelders, cycle parking with shelders. Street lighting,bollards,storm water drainage and perimeter railings. Carpark with 140 spaces with 'Pay & Display' and set-down area accessed from Horgans Quay. Repairs to the rear (Horgans Quay)side of station include demolition of the existing boiler room, removal of existing metal chimneys and redundant cables. Repairs to brickwork and repointing where necessary. Repairs to the Goods Depot's eastern and northern facade include removal of vegetation, removal of single storey outbuildings, removal of loading platforms, hacking of loose plaster and making good where necessary. Kent Station and the Goods Depot are protected structures'.

 

http://planenquiry.corkcity.ie/planningenquiry/MainFrames.aspx and enter the above reference no in the appropriate box.

[scahalane]

No Documents available online as of yet, might take a trip in to the planning office to take a peek and see how much damage they hope to inflict. Protected structures my arse, on my last visit I couldn't help noticing all the retention applications submitted by IE. If freight was to return to Cork I'd say Tivoli would be the best bet.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

So some big changes are ahead for Cork.

[201bhoy]

Someone said a wee while back that they saw a new sign in front of North Esk saying "Aras Lasta/Freight Depot". I would love it to be reconnected, far too many big container cranes disused these days. Limerick, Sligo, Dundalk and North Esk (for now) all spring to mind. Adelaide, Tralee, Longford and Mallow all had gantry cranes, all gone now (I think) There are probably others too. I know that North Wall did have at least two at one stage! One thing I've been wondering is, is there any chance that freight at sometime in the future could make a resurgence here up north?

[gm171 kk]

Someone on IRN asked a question about a proposed Timber liner to Derry and an Eucon liner from Dublin to Cork was mentioned also.

[Arran]

HI All

 

The Interbulk containers are 30ft and are 2550mm wide from memory.

 

The all have hatches in the roof for top loading, these containers have been about in various guises since the mid 80s, My C Rail kits was based on an 1985 cobra built box and can still be found in all the liveries fromYellow IFF through to Interbulk.

 

Regards Arran