Rail line expected to reopen today
The flood water has abated below the level of the tracks over the past week and Irish Rail engineers carried out a number of inspections in recent days.
The inspections were necessary to rule out any damage caused by the flooding to the rail line and to ensure there were no fallen trees or branches washed onto the line.
Jim Gallivan, business development manager with Irish Rail, said: “We plan to resume the service today, but we will first of all carry out one final inspection by sending out an engine on its own early in the morning as a final check and precaution. All going according to plan, we expect to resume service with the 9.20am out of Limerick.”
Since the closure of the line Irish Rail has been offering an alternative bus service, but this has seen a 30% drop in business with some customers reverting to cars.
The commuter rail service between Limerick and Ennis has been a big success since it started in December 2003.
More than 600 passengers use the service daily. The schedule commences with a 6.45am service each morning and the trains are timed to enable customers to link up with onward trains to Cork and Dublin out of Limerick.
Heavy rains in February resulted in flooding at Ballycarr forcing the closure of the line.
Mr Gallivan said: “It is a good time to get the service back as numbers travelling during the Easter school holidays will be down and we will be able to switch from the interim bus service without any problem. Assuming everything is OK in the morning, and we don’t see why it will not be, it will be business as usual.”
