Limerick Junction's new platform 4 opens for business

[thewanderer]

Afternoon folks,

The latest batch of pictures from this weekend have now been uploaded to the August gallery which features one of the biggest changes to the operation of Limerick Jct. since 1967 and probably since the opening of the station in 1848, the new Down Platform at the station opened to traffic on Sunday 25th August 2019.

Saturday 24th August 2019:
Today I was out between Templemore and Thurles to photograph the Belmond Grand Hibernian heading to Cork.

Sunday 25th August 2019: 
Arguably the biggest change to Limerick Jct. since the 1967 alterations which allowed trains from Dublin direct access to platform 1, plus the direct curve to Limerick City occurred today with the opening of the new Platform 4 on the Down Line. The opening of this platform for Cork and Tralee bound trains allows a faster approach to the station instead of negotiating crossovers ranging from 15mph to 40mph to access the Up Platform as before. 

A minor timetable change was introduced from today to take into account the opening of the new platform with trains operating up to 3 minutes faster south of Limerick Jct. than before. A future timetable should allow Up and Down trains to call at Limerick Jct. at the same time. 

All Down Road services to Cork and Tralee will serve the new platform every day EXCEPT the following weekday services which will continue to serve Platform 1 (Up Platform)
07.00 Heuston - Cork,
21.00 Heuston - Cork.

Additionally and in a welcome move the 1500 Heuston - Cork (weekdays) will now call at Limerick Jct. with a connection to Limerick available. This plugs a 90 minute gap in the schedule from Dublin to Limerick.

Other photos from today come from Grange Level Crossing on the Thurles side of Limerick Jct.

Click https://bit.ly/31Z5vDB to view all the images from the weekend.