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Ballybrophy Limerick rail line has reopened following a six week repairs period. Ballybrophy Limerick rail line has reopened following a six week repairs period.

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Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line reopens after extensive restoration 

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3 years ago

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Ballybrophy Limerick rail line has reopened following a six week repairs period.

Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line reopens after extensive restoration 

By I Love Limerick correspondent Rachel Petticrew

Ballybrophy Limerick rail line Irish Rail removed the track's existing timber sleepers and jointed rail lines, replacing them with concrete sleepers and continuous welded rail.

Irish Rail removed the track’s existing timber sleepers and jointed rail lines, replacing them with concrete sleepers and continuous welded rail.


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The Ballybrophy Limerick rail line has reopened following a six week repair period. 

The route, which stops at Castleconnell, Birdhill, Nenagh and Claughjordan, was temporarily unavailable while Irish Rail replaced over 7.5 miles of track between Nenagh and Roscrea. 

The national rail company removed the track’s existing timber sleepers and jointed rail lines, replacing them with concrete sleepers and continuous welded rail, making for a safer, faster and more comfortable journey. 

The line reopened to the public on Monday, December 6, to the delight of many Tipperary-Limerick commuters. 

However, concerns have been raised regarding the speed of the route, which is significantly slower than some commuters had expected. Irish Rail has acknowledged these concerns, confirming that recent works will ‘facilitate journey time improvements at the next timetable review,’ due to take place early next year.

The North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership (NTCRP), which actively campaigns for an improved Ballybrophy-Limerick rail service, has welcomed the reopening, stating, “The NTCRP is committed to improving services along the regional line and making this form of public transport more accessible for the local communities it serves.

“Our campaign continues to focus on increasing speeds on the line, reducing journey times, and introducing a middle of the day service for commuters.”

The NTCRP has teamed up with Irish Rail to offer commuters half-price tickets from any station on the Ballybrophy-Limerick line until December 22. To avail of this offer, enter ‘reopen50’ when purchasing a ticket online from Irish Rail.

The renewal of the line comes just two months after a revised National Development Plan for 2021-2030 revealed plans for new rail developments in Limerick. Train stations have been promised for  Castleconnell and Nenagh on the Ballybrophy-Limerick line, with a new Lisnagrany stop also being considered. 

Learn more about the Ballybrophy-Limerick line HERE

For Ballybrophy-Limerick ticket information, go HERE 

For more news stories, go HERE

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