{"id":589948,"date":"2026-11-03T19:26:15","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T08:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=75629"},"modified":"2026-11-03T19:26:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T08:26:15","slug":"new-dawn-for-limerick-foynes-freight-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=589948","title":{"rendered":"New dawn for Limerick-Foynes freight line"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first train has run on the reinstated Limerick-Foynes Freight Line, ahead of the 2027 restoration of rail access to Ireland\u2019s Port of Foynes. The two-car passenger unit operated during testing over a public holiday weekend at the end of October. It was the first train to traverse the route since its decommissioning in 2001.<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u20ac151.5 million project will restore freight services along the 42-kilometre route between Limerick and Foynes. Commercial operations are expected to begin in early 2027, following completion of infrastructure testing and driver training. The reopening will reconnect the deep-water port to Ireland\u2019s national rail network. It is intended to support both bulk and intermodal traffic, offering businesses an alternative to road transport and strengthening the port\u2019s role in the wider logistics network.<\/p>\n

First train marks start of commissioning<\/h2>\n

Work has been underway on the line for three years to reconnect the west coast port to the network<\/a>. Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann (Irish Rail) confirmed that the first test train successfully traversed the reinstated route during the October bank holiday weekend. A two-car passenger unit was deployed in the initial run. The train is being used to shake down signalling and telecommunications infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\"Infrastructure
Days of future past. Infrastructure train on the Limerick – Foynes line. Image: \u00a9 Irish Rail – Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAdverse weather conditions presented some challenges to the long weekend\u2019s testing schedule,\u201d said an Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann spokesperson. “The dedicated on-site testing team ran the first test train on the newly reinstated line, a significant milestone and the first train to run on the line since its decommissioning in 2001.\u201d The test unit is expected to return regularly over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

Reconnecting Foynes to the national freight network<\/h2>\n

The reinstatement covers 42 kilometres of track between Limerick and Foynes. The work includes signalling and telecommunications infrastructure, improvements to level crossings and refurbishment of Foynes station. Thirteen public road level crossings have been reinstated with CCTV monitoring, replacing the previous gated arrangements. Track laying was completed during 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Monitoring
Monitoring reinstated and upgraded crossings on the Limerick – Foynes line. Image: \u00a9 Irish Rail – Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The strategic importance of the investment was outlined in Seanad \u00c9ireann (the Irish Parliament) earlier this year. Minister of State Christopher O\u2019Sullivan said the reinstated connection would support growth in both intermodal and bulk traffic. He also identified mining, power generation and intermodal container transport as potential sources of additional traffic. Shannon Foynes Port is classified as a core port under the European Union\u2019s TEN-T network. \u201cThe rail freight network in Ireland is currently an underutilised asset,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Asset for the port \u2026 and golf<\/h2>\n

Shannon Foynes Port Company chief executive Pat Keating has also highlighted the potential for the line. Speaking to the Limerick Leader newspaper, he said the first commercial services were expected during the first three months of 2027. He sees the connection as an opportunity to develop logistics activity around the port and contribute to a shift away from road haulage.<\/p>\n

\"Taking
Taking a swing at passenger services. A temporary station will be built to serve the 2027 Ryder Cup golf tournament at Adare. Image: \u00a9 Irish Rail – Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The reinstatement project is also providing the infrastructure for a temporary passenger station at Adare, ahead of the Ryder Cup in September 2027. Construction of the platform and external concourse is being funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority. The station is intended to accommodate thousands of spectators travelling to and from the golf competition at Adare Manor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann<\/a> expects special services to operate as a shuttle between Limerick Junction and Adare, connecting with trains from Dublin and Cork. Limerick Junction is approximately 30km from Limerick city and is adjacent to Tipperary Racecourse. The arrangement will not provide a direct train service from Limerick Colbert station. The historic Cork Direct Curve, which once allowed trains arriving from Foynes and Tralee to enter Limerick station without reversing, was closed and lifted in September 1975.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The first train has run on the reinstated Limerick-Foynes Freight Line, ahead of the 2027 restoration of rail access to Ireland\u2019s Port of Foynes. The\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21505,72,11314,1504,11316,343,1869,11317,11318,471,78,47],"tags":[12634],"class_list":["post-589948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adare","category-business","category-foynes","category-golf","category-iarnrod-eireann","category-infrastructure","category-ireland","category-irish-rail","category-limerick","category-news","category-rail-freight","category-rail-news","tag-railfreight"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t