It is such a shame that this line closed. I remember catching a train to Limerick, from Rosslare Harbour PIER station. When staying in Waterford, this line was the best way to get to Rosslare and the sailing to Fishguard. Odd to think, back then Rosslare to Waterford had 3 trains per day, and Waterford to Limerick, which only had 1 train, is still open. What they have done to Waterford station and signalbox is awful too. Thanks for filming this, in happier times.
In the early 20th century there was a spur that left the line near Killinick and joined the Rosslare - Dublin line south of Wexford town meaning you could travel direct from Waterford to Wexford. It was only there for a few years I think? Such a shame, if that infrastructure was still in place the whole line would have so much more potential for re-opening.
ITS A DISCRACE WHEN IRISH RAIL CLOSED THE LINE TO ROSSLARE I FOUND IT VERY HANDY GETTING TO ROSSLARE AND THEN CATCHING THE DUBLIN TRAIN IT WAS A WONDERFUL SCENERY ROUTE
When I rode this train in the mid-'90's, service was just twice a day. Seemed odd to me back then, as it's the perfect line to bring you into Ireland coming form the ferry. I do remember the state of the rolling stock; I loved it but in reality, it was decrepit and tired.
Great video. At least 071 is still in use. Worth walking over the Barrow bridge if you are in the vicinity combining with a visit to Caisleain Dún Broide.
Thanks Paddy, your comments are on the nail! Irish Rail are to blame not the Irish Govt. Irish Rail have a monopoly and can do what they like. Their track access charges are 4 times the European average. Contrast that with the UK situation. RAIL USAGE AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND LINES LIKELY TO BE RE-OPENDED.
I remember when I was a kid in the 80s and 90s. Me and my mother would go to her sister in London during the school holidays. Train from Waterford to Rosslare, ferry to Fishguard, then an Intercity 125 train to Paddington Station. Then we started flying with Ryanair from Waterford, and we were on the very last Ryanair flight that landed in Waterford. Back to using trains and ferries until Ryanair became a budget airline and we started going by train to Dublin then bus to the airport. Not only that the Waterford to Rosslare line is closed, there's no direct trains to London from Fishguard and you have to change trains at Cardiff. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet have killed railways and Eurostar say they didn't make the profit they'd predicted.
Hi, sad to say but this railway line, Waterford to Rosslare, is marked down for the next "greenway". Irish Rail's co-operation has been acknowledged by the "greenway" promoters. We're losing railway infrastructure in Ireland and it is not the Government's fault.
The stations along the way were already very rundown and overgrown even then. When no one is using a railway line anymore, it needs to close, and I say that as a big fan of railways.
I grew up in Enniscorthy Co Wexford ( now living in Hong Kong) and I remember as a kid catching the Summer Sunday special to Rosslare Strand with the family and friends. At the Strand I always wondered where the line branching off to the west went to. It was my mystery line that I thought one day I'd go on it when I was older. Sadly never did and an opportunity missed. Whether it's Irish Rail or the Govt it seems that a situation was contrived to close this line. Trains run so that they didn't coincide with the ferry departure. Low fares so they could say it's not making money. High track access charges. And, as for the Greenway people, they are deluded. Their 'environment' strategy of promoting the great outdoors for cyclists and walkers by destroying railway infrastructure and putting more cars/trucks on the road is just crazy.
Irish Rail doomed the line by having only one train per day which didn't coincide with the departure and arrival times of the ferries at Rosslare. One evening I was going by train from Cork to Waterford and the guy checking tickets at the gate didn't know there's a connection for Rosslare via Waterford at Limerick Junction so you can bet your life the whole population of Cork didn't know either. As for the Waterford to Limerick Junction line... Irish Rail have made the fares too cheap such as adult day return Waterford to Clonmel was €5.90 but €15.80 with Bus Éireann, or adult return Waterford to Cork was €23.50 but €28.50 with Bus Éireann, and this was around 2011 and I don't know what the fares are now. Very cheap fares on the Waterford to Limerick Junction line is making the route lose a lot of money and Irish Rail will use this as an excuse to close it.
I recall that Pat Kenny had an RTE evening radio programme some years ago and a lady from Carlow phoned him to explain that the Rosslare train would leave Waterford before her train arrived. She could not make the connection. I checked into this and was told (by contacts) that yes this was the case because the Waterford to Rosslare train crew had to get to Rosslare in time to book off and get a bus home otherwise they would need a taxi! Mad stuff really.
@@midlandcompound I worked on board the Waterford/Dublin trains in the late 90s. I remember the last train from Dublin was due to arrive in Waterford before the Rosslare to Limerick train passed through, but most nights when the Dublin train arrived the other one had been and gone. Some people on the Dublin train wanted to catch the other train to go to like Carrick On Suir or Cahir and were told "It's not a connecting service.".
A few years back IE were "persuaded" to publicise the connections to Tipperary/Clonmel/Carrick etc. in Heuston Station on the departure boards. Myself and a companion bought tickets for Clonmel at the booking office and I have to say that we got some strange looks.On the train I will always remember the grin on the ticket checker's face when we told him where we were going. We both looked at each other. At least he told us to change at Limk. Junction.
Looks like a great line, seems a shame but looking at a two coach service (+van) its not going to be even close to paying its way commercially. There is the argument that a service needs to be maintained above being profitable but quite honestly Ireland is under the iron fist of the EU which is a totalitarian communist outfit who will lie to your face in anyway needed to maintain their grip on your country, all the while everything you had will go to the dogs while they do untold damage to your social makeup. Everyone thinks it won't affect you, but well look at this line in 2004 then again in 2018 and tell me I am wrong.
Thank you for that. We can only blame ourselves for this one. We have a rail monopoly of the worst type here in Ireland. One operator and if a line proves to be "unprofitable" it's for the chop. The railway company is saddled with inept management in total contrast to the Dublin Bus company. We have countless instances where the railway company professes to engage with consumers, local groups etc. but behind it all has absolutely no intention of improving services due to rostering or other internal reasons. Compare this with the UK where passenger numbers have reached an all-time high and even the "rural" lines are thriving.
Ironically the best chance of Waterford - Rosslare re-opening would be EU money for the freight traffic coming into Rosslare Europort. Re-opening is now firmly back on the agenda for this very reason. The line from Limerick to Foynes also is currently being rebuilt largely from EU money. The EU had nothing to do with either line being closed, both closures were down to IE/IR alone. EU is firmly pro-rail.
Yes, we were pleasantly surprised too. Sad to relate that the line is now out of use. Bad situation really as its part of a cross country route from Rosslare Harbour. Could not see that situation happening anywhere else.
hard to believe irish rail got rid of beautiful trains like this to get the sardine can pieces of crap they have now. board of directors obviously haven't much intelligence
Unfortunately, our state monopoly will not allow this to happen. Add pressure from the Greenway movement and you can get an idea of the difficulties. Ireland is losing Transport infrastructure. Madness!
Greenways should be located not on disused railway lines but on seas, rivers, lakes, wells etc. They should have 24 hour trains in Summer time only and St. Stephen's Day trains of course.
@@martinwalsh3228 Can't see them on seas/rivers/lakes but our railway is now at a skeletal stage and many would argue that any more closures could result in a tipping point. It's a tragedy that our friends in the EU don't know what's going on.
It is such a shame that this line closed. I remember catching a train to Limerick, from Rosslare Harbour PIER station. When staying in Waterford, this line was the best way to get to Rosslare and the sailing to Fishguard. Odd to think, back then Rosslare to Waterford had 3 trains per day, and Waterford to Limerick, which only had 1 train, is still open. What they have done to Waterford station and signalbox is awful too. Thanks for filming this, in happier times.
I took this train daily for a couple of years back in the day. Hopefully this line will be open again in the next few years!
Brilliant video! I visited all the disused stations last year and it’s very sad to see them fall into disrepair.
In the early 20th century there was a spur that left the line near Killinick and joined the Rosslare - Dublin line south of Wexford town meaning you could travel direct from Waterford to Wexford. It was only there for a few years I think? Such a shame, if that infrastructure was still in place the whole line would have so much more potential for re-opening.
Used this train many times. Unusual to see an 071 class loco - always a double cab Bxxx when I rode it.
ITS A DISCRACE WHEN IRISH RAIL CLOSED THE LINE TO ROSSLARE I FOUND IT VERY HANDY GETTING TO ROSSLARE AND THEN CATCHING THE DUBLIN TRAIN IT WAS A WONDERFUL SCENERY ROUTE
you dont need to shout
Great for Kilkenny too.
Thanks for the vid. I well recall loco hauled trans meeting the boat at Rosslare Harbour then joining the mainline and on to Connolly.
When I rode this train in the mid-'90's, service was just twice a day. Seemed odd to me back then, as it's the perfect line to bring you into Ireland coming form the ferry. I do remember the state of the rolling stock; I loved it but in reality, it was decrepit and tired.
Great video. At least 071 is still in use. Worth walking over the Barrow bridge if you are in the vicinity combining with a visit to Caisleain Dún Broide.
Thanks Paddy, your comments are on the nail! Irish Rail are to blame not the Irish Govt. Irish Rail have a monopoly and can do what they like. Their track access charges are 4 times the European average. Contrast that with the UK situation. RAIL USAGE AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND LINES LIKELY TO BE RE-OPENDED.
I remember when I was a kid in the 80s and 90s. Me and my mother would go to her sister in London during the school holidays. Train from Waterford to Rosslare, ferry to Fishguard, then an Intercity 125 train to Paddington Station. Then we started flying with Ryanair from Waterford, and we were on the very last Ryanair flight that landed in Waterford. Back to using trains and ferries until Ryanair became a budget airline and we started going by train to Dublin then bus to the airport. Not only that the Waterford to Rosslare line is closed, there's no direct trains to London from Fishguard and you have to change trains at Cardiff. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet have killed railways and Eurostar say they didn't make the profit they'd predicted.
Hi, sad to say but this railway line, Waterford to Rosslare, is marked down for the next "greenway". Irish Rail's co-operation has been acknowledged by the "greenway" promoters. We're losing railway infrastructure in Ireland and it is not the Government's fault.
Phil the transport for wales trains is terrible between fishguard & cardiff are shite
Very nice video to have. Thanks
The stations along the way were already very rundown and overgrown even then.
When no one is using a railway line anymore, it needs to close, and I say that as a big fan of railways.
I grew up in Enniscorthy Co Wexford ( now living in Hong Kong) and I remember as a kid catching the Summer Sunday special to Rosslare Strand with the family and friends. At the Strand I always wondered where the line branching off to the west went to. It was my mystery line that I thought one day I'd go on it when I was older. Sadly never did and an opportunity missed.
Whether it's Irish Rail or the Govt it seems that a situation was contrived to close this line. Trains run so that they didn't coincide with the ferry departure. Low fares so they could say it's not making money. High track access charges. And, as for the Greenway people, they are deluded. Their 'environment' strategy of promoting the great outdoors for cyclists and walkers by destroying railway infrastructure and putting more cars/trucks on the road is just crazy.
Irish Rail doomed the line by having only one train per day which didn't coincide with the departure and arrival times of the ferries at Rosslare. One evening I was going by train from Cork to Waterford and the guy checking tickets at the gate didn't know there's a connection for Rosslare via Waterford at Limerick Junction so you can bet your life the whole population of Cork didn't know either. As for the Waterford to Limerick Junction line... Irish Rail have made the fares too cheap such as adult day return Waterford to Clonmel was €5.90 but €15.80 with Bus Éireann, or adult return Waterford to Cork was €23.50 but €28.50 with Bus Éireann, and this was around 2011 and I don't know what the fares are now. Very cheap fares on the Waterford to Limerick Junction line is making the route lose a lot of money and Irish Rail will use this as an excuse to close it.
I recall that Pat Kenny had an RTE evening radio programme some years ago and a lady from Carlow phoned him to explain that the Rosslare train would leave Waterford before her train arrived. She could not make the connection. I checked into this and was told (by contacts) that yes this was the case because the Waterford to Rosslare train crew had to get to Rosslare in time to book off and get a bus home otherwise they would need a taxi! Mad stuff really.
@@midlandcompound I worked on board the Waterford/Dublin trains in the late 90s. I remember the last train from Dublin was due to arrive in Waterford before the Rosslare to Limerick train passed through, but most nights when the Dublin train arrived the other one had been and gone. Some people on the Dublin train wanted to catch the other train to go to like Carrick On Suir or Cahir and were told "It's not a connecting service.".
A few years back IE were "persuaded" to publicise the connections to Tipperary/Clonmel/Carrick etc. in Heuston Station on the departure boards. Myself and a companion bought tickets for Clonmel at the booking office and I have to say that we got some strange looks.On the train I will always remember the grin on the ticket checker's face when we told him where we were going. We both looked at each other. At least he told us to change at Limk. Junction.
travelled the route in 1993 just as well sad to say. i think i was the only person on the service
Looks like a great line, seems a shame but looking at a two coach service (+van) its not going to be even close to paying its way commercially. There is the argument that a service needs to be maintained above being profitable but quite honestly Ireland is under the iron fist of the EU which is a totalitarian communist outfit who will lie to your face in anyway needed to maintain their grip on your country, all the while everything you had will go to the dogs while they do untold damage to your social makeup. Everyone thinks it won't affect you, but well look at this line in 2004 then again in 2018 and tell me I am wrong.
Thank you for that. We can only blame ourselves for this one. We have a rail monopoly of the worst type here in Ireland. One operator and if a line proves to be "unprofitable" it's for the chop. The railway company is saddled with inept management in total contrast to the Dublin Bus company. We have countless instances where the railway company professes to engage with consumers, local groups etc. but behind it all has absolutely no intention of improving services due to rostering or other internal reasons. Compare this with the UK where passenger numbers have reached an all-time high and even the "rural" lines are thriving.
Ironically the best chance of Waterford - Rosslare re-opening would be EU money for the freight traffic coming into Rosslare Europort. Re-opening is now firmly back on the agenda for this very reason. The line from Limerick to Foynes also is currently being rebuilt largely from EU money. The EU had nothing to do with either line being closed, both closures were down to IE/IR alone. EU is firmly pro-rail.
odd to see the 071 on the local, while the Intercity at Rosslare is a Commuter DMU
Yes, we were pleasantly surprised too. Sad to relate that the line is now out of use. Bad situation really as its part of a cross country route from Rosslare Harbour. Could not see that situation happening anywhere else.
hard to believe irish rail got rid of beautiful trains like this to get the sardine can pieces of crap they have now. board of directors obviously haven't much intelligence
Hi great video, can I use part of you video 3:27-3:40 not for profit I just want footage of bell container.
Rgs JP
Please go right ahead.Thanks and apologies for the long delay in replying.
Time they reopened it to cut down on Traffic Jams, Road Deaths/Car Accidents & Pollution.
Unfortunately, our state monopoly will not allow this to happen. Add pressure from the Greenway movement and you can get an idea of the difficulties. Ireland is losing Transport infrastructure. Madness!
Greenways should be located not on disused railway lines but on seas, rivers, lakes, wells etc. They should have 24 hour trains in Summer time only and St. Stephen's Day trains of course.
@@martinwalsh3228 Can't see them on seas/rivers/lakes but our railway is now at a skeletal stage and many would argue that any more closures could result in a tipping point. It's a tragedy that our friends in the EU don't know what's going on.
We need the money of course we could afford a better railway service if we were a wealthier country.
@@martinwalsh3228 Yes but it's badly served by and run by the management. They must take the blame.
071 singing beautiful at the start of the film
Thanks yes, a great sound which can be recognised immediately.
super photage
Thank you very much and I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Nice to travel on a real train over a line soon to be given over to a "greenway".
Track will be laid again