Finally! A green transit advocacy channel that is actually campaining to do stuff rather than just saying that this is possible and leaving it at that.
You have a strong supporter here in Dublin & there are so many reasons that we should be involved in linking Sligo & Donegal alongside Monaghan & Cavan to the heartlands of Ulster & on Southward to Cork & Limerick via existing lines & restructure development away from Dublin !
My dad was born in Cullybackey and in 2011, when I was 13, he lost his life in a car accident in Portugal, where I live and was born. This event likely radicalised me against car dependency. It's good to see you fight for a railway I imagine he used in his youth. The railways really do connect people and their stories, eh? Big hug.
My condolences to the loss of your father, I also lost my father when I was 13 as well so I can complete understand how that affects a person. My idea for dualling is definitely a necessity, and it would also bring a new station between Cullybackey and Ballymoney at Dunloy. A small settlement, but in dire need of better transport connections.
I see your interest in good public transport is very similar to myself. I’m from rural Tipperary, so no trains. So I didn’t realise how interesting I found the operation of railways and trains until more recently. I found your channel as I had recently decided I must do something about it and I must say it’s nice to know there are like-minded people willing to push for reinstatement. Well done on what you’re doing, and here’s to a much larger rail network on the island in future!
As someone from the mainland UK (Northern England) I hope this project goes through and best of luck with it. We also have many of the same issues of car-centric planning and infrastructure dominating our cities and towns, though we must contend with a lack of political will from Westminster to fund anything outside of London and SE.
Thank you, as do I. On a serious note, you don't know how lucky you have it in the mainland. Our railway network is only just reaching modern standards in the last 10-15 years. One branch line still remains in operation using semaphore signalling! The one benefit we have is that the Northern Irish publics tends to be more aware of the importance of rail and thus is more pro-rail than the rest of the UK & ROI. Our biggest issue is the Department for Infrastructure, they regulate and fund all public transport, and they have commonly operated on a 'predict and build' system where they assume that car ownership will grow infinitely and thus must always get a majority heap of the transport budget. Thankfully though, things are seemingly headed in the right direction for a change, but still, cautious steps!
Unfortunately, semaphore signal operation is not unique to NI. There are still a number of such lines (even some quite important ones, like my local one) which have semaphore signals. And because of this, I have to contend with the ridiculous situation that on Sundays, the signal boxes on my local line (a fairly major east-west route) don't open until 2pm, meaning the first train arrives in my town at 3pm!
Hey bud, I'm a train enthusiast from co tyrone, my town had the last horse tram that linked my town, Fintona, to the line between omagh and enniskillen, obviously tyrone and fermanagh don't have any rail now. I inspect bridges for a living, I can assure you that 90% of railway infrastructure is still in place in these rural areas. However the longer its left, the more hassle it will be to reinstate the old lines. It's crazy that this isn't a priority in these areas. It's because we've gone so long without decent public transport we're used to it. Keep up the good fight man and if you need any maps, modern or historical give me a shout 👍
Thanks for the rather interesting comment mate 😄 At the minute Translink (or rather their contractor of choice) are undertaking a feasiblity study into reopening the Portadown - Armagh line so there is a bit of urgency to a degree. I appreciate the offer and shall keep it in mind should the need arise, I'll make sure to keep the work up 😁💪🏻
Great work, and best of luck, from a country where car-fanaticism is a religion (USA) Never EVER stop fighting for the connectivity of your country. Strong transit is true freedom!
The first focus should be on dualling all mainlines, resignalling, electrification, linespeeds ideally 75 (120) to 100 (160) mph (km/h). Then reopening old mainlines to these standards, with sidings for passing local/freight trains as a bonus, which would allow for fast non-stopping services. I wonder if it could make sense to build any new lines to standard gauge, so that Ireland could have an easy link to Stranraer (Scotland) one day, working like the eurotunnel, except better, because if Ireland has standard gauge too, you could have both fast and local-stopping trains from Dublin/Derry/etc. to Glasgow. High speed rail Dublin to Belfast? Then finally, HS3 from Stranraer to Carlisle.
Firstly, the Island of Ireland switching to standard gauge would be both uneconomical and impractical. In the event that any rail tunnel is built between the Emerald Isle and GB then it would likely just be a tunnel that caters to say Irish Gauge rail only, with a line that stretches to a terminus in Scotland where passengers would change to a standard gauge train. Secondly, Dualling of the mainline network id an absolute necessity of we are to expand our railway network AND provide more services on existing routes. Increasing line speeds is also greatly needed to keep journey times as low as possible. And well let's hope HS2 actually gets completed before HS3 starts 🤣
@@fundthenine In Spain they have track device and special axels that can switch a train from Iberian gauge (similar to Irish gauge) to standard gauge and visa versa while the train is moving. You could duel gauge a cargo spur to the port and Belfast station for sleeper trains etc.
railways in ireland were some of the worst hit in europe when the motorways came along, but northern ireland got hit most, looking at old maps it probably had the densest rail network on the whole island but got horrifically stripped down far more so than even the republic's railways did. (and they're not in great shape either, but at least there isnt just a single track of line connecting two cities together) sadly the republic's government like the u.k's seems incapable of building any meaningful infrastructure outside of the capital but hopefully northern island being a bit more removed from london's reign can hopefully make a more independent push (and what's great unlike england the corridor's still exist with the imprint of where the railway used to be still very visible)
i really hope you manage to make even more progress, feel the south really struggles the same way many countries do having their political and financial capital overlapping in the same city, if change is going to happen it'll need to start with taking power away from dublin and giving it to the rest of the country, hopefully northern ireland doesn't need such drastic measures as the goal is honestly so much more achievable than most giant infrastructure projects, managing to double track between belfast and derry will do wonders for the locals and bringing people together :)
it just feels so silly the fact instead of building new rail infrastructure we're just trying to reinstall foolishly torn out track because of how badly car infrastructure backfired, ireland as a whole sure is a small island and all but the distances between these towns does mean quite long drives honestly, which is so exhausting they aren't just a short 15 maybe 25 minute drive as you'd hope they can be quite the trek
I was wondering if anyone knew of any similar channels to this with a focus on rail development in the Republic? As a resident of the Republic, I think a movement like FundTheNINE could be very beneficial to southern rail development.
Like you I grew up but still live in Coleraine but 99% of my shopping is done outside of Coleraine like Belfast, Londonderry, Antrim & Lisburn. For the pure and simple reason there is no shops in Coleraine like the Range or Primark
@@fundthenine nope Moores of Coleraine would and have blocked the likes of Primark from coming to the town along with the one way system and the town closed to traffic
Hi mate 1 am in Antrim hospital for 9 days now mate and I could been in Antrim hospital for a other 5 weeks to get my bad keens and leges ot get me right mate goodbye for now Clive in N lreland
![Why was the Lisburn to Antrim Line Closed? | #OpenKnockmore [Part Two]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y9jz0d2gUR4/mqdefault.jpg)
![Why was the Lisburn to Antrim Line Closed? | #OpenKnockmore [Part Two]](/img/tr.png)
Finally! A green transit advocacy channel that is actually campaining to do stuff rather than just saying that this is possible and leaving it at that.
Well what's the fun in complaining about something if you don't get to take part in fixing it! 😉
Love the progress, this sort of thing should be all across Ireland.
Wishing you guys in Northern Ireland all the best. We on the mainland take our railways for granted, good on you for fighting for more rail access
You have a strong supporter here in Dublin & there are so many reasons that we should be involved in linking Sligo & Donegal alongside Monaghan & Cavan to the heartlands of Ulster & on Southward to Cork & Limerick via existing lines & restructure development away from Dublin !
I appreciate the support!
Every county on our island should have some connections to our rail network, no ifs, ands or buts.
Well done again Andrew. I hope you succeed in your goals!
My dad was born in Cullybackey and in 2011, when I was 13, he lost his life in a car accident in Portugal, where I live and was born. This event likely radicalised me against car dependency. It's good to see you fight for a railway I imagine he used in his youth. The railways really do connect people and their stories, eh? Big hug.
My condolences to the loss of your father, I also lost my father when I was 13 as well so I can complete understand how that affects a person.
My idea for dualling is definitely a necessity, and it would also bring a new station between Cullybackey and Ballymoney at Dunloy. A small settlement, but in dire need of better transport connections.
I see your interest in good public transport is very similar to myself. I’m from rural Tipperary, so no trains. So I didn’t realise how interesting I found the operation of railways and trains until more recently. I found your channel as I had recently decided I must do something about it and I must say it’s nice to know there are like-minded people willing to push for reinstatement.
Well done on what you’re doing, and here’s to a much larger rail network on the island in future!
Winning the fight for a proper island-wide railway network is the only outcome 💪🏻
As someone from the mainland UK (Northern England) I hope this project goes through and best of luck with it. We also have many of the same issues of car-centric planning and infrastructure dominating our cities and towns, though we must contend with a lack of political will from Westminster to fund anything outside of London and SE.
Thank you, as do I.
On a serious note, you don't know how lucky you have it in the mainland. Our railway network is only just reaching modern standards in the last 10-15 years. One branch line still remains in operation using semaphore signalling!
The one benefit we have is that the Northern Irish publics tends to be more aware of the importance of rail and thus is more pro-rail than the rest of the UK & ROI.
Our biggest issue is the Department for Infrastructure, they regulate and fund all public transport, and they have commonly operated on a 'predict and build' system where they assume that car ownership will grow infinitely and thus must always get a majority heap of the transport budget.
Thankfully though, things are seemingly headed in the right direction for a change, but still, cautious steps!
Unfortunately, semaphore signal operation is not unique to NI. There are still a number of such lines (even some quite important ones, like my local one) which have semaphore signals. And because of this, I have to contend with the ridiculous situation that on Sundays, the signal boxes on my local line (a fairly major east-west route) don't open until 2pm, meaning the first train arrives in my town at 3pm!
Hey bud, I'm a train enthusiast from co tyrone, my town had the last horse tram that linked my town, Fintona, to the line between omagh and enniskillen, obviously tyrone and fermanagh don't have any rail now.
I inspect bridges for a living, I can assure you that 90% of railway infrastructure is still in place in these rural areas. However the longer its left, the more hassle it will be to reinstate the old lines.
It's crazy that this isn't a priority in these areas. It's because we've gone so long without decent public transport we're used to it.
Keep up the good fight man and if you need any maps, modern or historical give me a shout 👍
Thanks for the rather interesting comment mate 😄
At the minute Translink (or rather their contractor of choice) are undertaking a feasiblity study into reopening the Portadown - Armagh line so there is a bit of urgency to a degree.
I appreciate the offer and shall keep it in mind should the need arise, I'll make sure to keep the work up 😁💪🏻
Great work, and best of luck, from a country where car-fanaticism is a religion (USA)
Never EVER stop fighting for the connectivity of your country. Strong transit is true freedom!
I don't intend on it 🙏🏻💪🏻
If the NINE and the All ireland rail review plan were both fully built out our little island would have a network to be proud of!
The first focus should be on dualling all mainlines, resignalling, electrification, linespeeds ideally 75 (120) to 100 (160) mph (km/h). Then reopening old mainlines to these standards, with sidings for passing local/freight trains as a bonus, which would allow for fast non-stopping services.
I wonder if it could make sense to build any new lines to standard gauge, so that Ireland could have an easy link to Stranraer (Scotland) one day, working like the eurotunnel, except better, because if Ireland has standard gauge too, you could have both fast and local-stopping trains from Dublin/Derry/etc. to Glasgow.
High speed rail Dublin to Belfast? Then finally, HS3 from Stranraer to Carlisle.
Firstly, the Island of Ireland switching to standard gauge would be both uneconomical and impractical. In the event that any rail tunnel is built between the Emerald Isle and GB then it would likely just be a tunnel that caters to say Irish Gauge rail only, with a line that stretches to a terminus in Scotland where passengers would change to a standard gauge train.
Secondly, Dualling of the mainline network id an absolute necessity of we are to expand our railway network AND provide more services on existing routes. Increasing line speeds is also greatly needed to keep journey times as low as possible.
And well let's hope HS2 actually gets completed before HS3 starts 🤣
@@fundthenine In Spain they have track device and special axels that can switch a train from Iberian gauge (similar to Irish gauge) to standard gauge and visa versa while the train is moving. You could duel gauge a cargo spur to the port and Belfast station for sleeper trains etc.
railways in ireland were some of the worst hit in europe when the motorways came along, but northern ireland got hit most, looking at old maps it probably had the densest rail network on the whole island but got horrifically stripped down far more so than even the republic's railways did. (and they're not in great shape either, but at least there isnt just a single track of line connecting two cities together) sadly the republic's government like the u.k's seems incapable of building any meaningful infrastructure outside of the capital but hopefully northern island being a bit more removed from london's reign can hopefully make a more independent push (and what's great unlike england the corridor's still exist with the imprint of where the railway used to be still very visible)
i really hope you manage to make even more progress, feel the south really struggles the same way many countries do having their political and financial capital overlapping in the same city, if change is going to happen it'll need to start with taking power away from dublin and giving it to the rest of the country, hopefully northern ireland doesn't need such drastic measures as the goal is honestly so much more achievable than most giant infrastructure projects, managing to double track between belfast and derry will do wonders for the locals and bringing people together :)
it just feels so silly the fact instead of building new rail infrastructure we're just trying to reinstall foolishly torn out track because of how badly car infrastructure backfired, ireland as a whole sure is a small island and all but the distances between these towns does mean quite long drives honestly, which is so exhausting they aren't just a short 15 maybe 25 minute drive as you'd hope they can be quite the trek
@@brimbles4999 Ireland is twice the size of Switzerland and has a rail network half the size.
I was wondering if anyone knew of any similar channels to this with a focus on rail development in the Republic? As a resident of the Republic, I think a movement like FundTheNINE could be very beneficial to southern rail development.
Over on Twitter there are similar groups based in the Republic.
The most notable are @WestOnTrackIRL, @RailUsersIe & @seontrack
Hope this helps!
Like you I grew up but still live in Coleraine but 99% of my shopping is done outside of Coleraine like Belfast, Londonderry, Antrim & Lisburn. For the pure and simple reason there is no shops in Coleraine like the Range or Primark
The cuse of the Riverside Retail Park
@@fundthenine nope Moores of Coleraine would and have blocked the likes of Primark from coming to the town along with the one way system and the town closed to traffic
7:52 what about the line from Bangor to the uk
I'm rather confused by your comment, Bangor is in the UK? And the line to Belfast already exists, what do you mean?
Hi mate 1 am in Antrim hospital for 9 days now mate and I could been in Antrim hospital for a other 5 weeks to get my bad keens and leges ot get me right mate goodbye for now Clive in N lreland
Excellent work, keep it up.