Limerick Suburban Rail - Limerick To Nenagh

Limerick To Nenagh

The Limerick to Nenagh operates over a short section of the line between Limerick and Limerick Junction before moving to the branch toward Ballybrophy at Killonan Junction. This service normally operates in a block section where trains cannot operate at the same time but changes were made at Nenagh to allow the first Limerick-Ballybrophy train of the day to split there, with the front half continuing to Roscrea and Ballybrophy to meet the Dublin-Cork mainline and the back half turning back for Limerick forming the commuter service.

There are three services per weekday in each direction between Limerick and Nenagh, two of which continue to or from Ballybrophy. At present there is only one inbound service to Limerick in the morning timetabled to arrive at 0842 and two evening outbounds at 1645 and 1745. Journey time is timetabled at between 58 and 67 minutes.

The service is operated by 2700 class diesel railcars whose 70 mph top speeds are sufficient for the 60 mph limits between Limerick and Killonan Junction but is hampered by the condition of the track between Killonan Junction and Nenagh. Some track upgrades from jointed track to Continuous Welded Rail offering higher safe speeds and a quieter operation have been started but not completed by operations such as ballast tamping and rail stressing. Additionally, the route misses the key employment area of Castletroy on the eastern outskirts of Limerick which contains both a major industrial estate and the University of Limerick.

A January 2012 national newspaper article suggested that Irish Rail was expected to seek permission from the National Transport Authority to close the line. However the announcement on 20 February 2012 of an enhanced timetable for the line means that this threat is lifted, at least for the time being.