WRC Services at Athenry

These scenes were filmed on the 27th January and the 6th February 2023 at Athenry featuring the 1025 Galway - Limerick and the 0920 Limerick-Galway services which cross at Athenry.
The scenes captured on the 27th of January were filmed from the line side, but both services were noted as being at capacity.
On the 6th February the 1025 Galway-Limerick which is normally a 2 piece railcar was strengthened to a 4 piece. Approximately 10-15 people joined this Limerick bound service and was 70% full departing Athenry. If this service had been the normal 2 piece railcar, passengers would have been standing.
A short time later the the 0920 from Limerick arrived with the 4 piece train full and some standing (approx 200 passengers on board). Approx 20-25 alighted and joined the Galway bound service.
This video clearly demonstrates the strong demand for services on the western rail corridor (WRC) and supports the recent 2022 passenger numbers issued by the NTA that show 607,000 passenger journeys between Galway and Limerick.
The next steps for the NTA and Iranród Éireann is to capitalise on the fastest growing route in the country. Additional services (eight services per day each way minimum), clockface timetables, accelerating the services to sub 1 hour 40mins should be the key priorities.

[@RJH1971]

Brilliant to see this sort of traffic volume on the WRC. Four coaches all full up, excellent, can only be good news.

[@seanstack2712]

Another excellent video, great to see the volumes being carried on the services. Keep up the good work.

[@SouthernYard]

Many thanks!

[@IncredibleDeutzFahrFAN]

great video, you will soon be at 1k subs.

[@GhastsLover]

1st level crossing is Castleleambert, ive been there a few times

[@patrickmcdonagh3955]

Massive necessity for full re opening of WRC, complete from Sligo to Limerick.
Bus services are taking up to 7 hours, but in the West we really need balanced income, to assist us to capture and grow our areas and services.
Imagine a proper rail line to connect Sligo, Knock Airpport, Galway, Shannon Airport, Limerick, and the ever increase in freight from Limerick.

[@SouthernYard]

We had it once and we may have that again in the future. Don’t underestimate what’s involved to get it reinstated.

[@trainsme7919]

4:05 the 2800s idling sound like 150s idling in athenry

[@done-ahhh578]

This is how it starts. 10 years from now you will see six coach 22ks operating this route. Possibly with the Clairemorris section open. It's obvious that more Intercity routes need to be reopened and given frequent service. How to trains from Waterford to rosslare went to Wexford town instead of your Europort I'm having a few services a day it would never have closed. It would have been become more popular with through trains between Limerick city and Wexford Town serving Waterford along the way. Train services in populated areas are now a matter of build it they will come. If you just keep expanding roads you just get more and more traffic. Motorway/highways are the most inefficient way to transport large volumes of people.

[@SouthernYard]

The platforms at Craughwell, Ardrahan, Gort and Sixmilebridge to get extended to accommodate 6 piece trains.

[@trainsinireland5063]

Super Shots!😃.

[@SouthernYard]

Thank you very much!

[@Kad84]

Where on the Athenry area of the railway leads to Tuam?

[@oliverjumelle]

On the east side of athenry Station. Just after the bridge.the line from limerick joins the galway to Dublin line before entering athenry Station. The tuam section branches off from that same line east of athenry Station.

[@Kad84]

@@oliverjumelle Ok thanks