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Coordinates: 52°53′58″N 7°36′9″W / 52.89944°N 7.60250°W / 52.89944; -7.60250
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Yet more unattributed opinions and unsupported editorial. What is any of this based on? Whose opinions and speculations are being expressed here? Any refs to support any of this?
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{{short description|Railway station in Ballybrophy, Ireland}}
{{short description|Station in County Laois, Ireland}}
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| image_caption = Ballybrophy Station
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| other_name = Heavens Entrance
| address = Station Road, [[Ballybrophy]], [[County Laois]], R32 DW66
| address = Station Road, [[Ballybrophy]], [[County Laois]], R32 DW66
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|services={{s-rail|title=IÉ}}
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{{rail line|previous={{Stnlnk|Portlaoise}}|next={{Stnlnk|Thurles}}|route=[[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]]<br/><small> [[Dublin-Cork railway line|Dublin-Cork Main Line]]</small>|col=00A500}}
{{rail line|previous={{Stnlnk|Portlaoise}}|next={{Stnlnk|Thurles}}|route=[[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]]<br/><small> [[Dublin-Cork railway line|Dublin-Cork Main Line]]</small>|col=FFA500}}
{{rail line|route=[[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]]<br/><small> [[Dublin Heuston railway station|Dublin]]-{{Stnlnk|Limerick}}</small>|col=FFA500|previous={{Stnlnk|Portlaoise}}|next=[[Templemore railway station|Templemore]]}}
{{rail line|route=[[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]]<br/><small>Dublin-Limerick</small>|col=FFA500|previous={{Stnlnk|Portlaoise}}|next=[[Templemore railway station|Templemore]]}}
{{rail line|previous=[[Roscrea railway station|Roscrea]]|next=Terminus|route=[[Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)|Commuter]]<br/><small> [[Limerick-Ballybrophy railway line|Limerick-Ballybrophy]]</small>|col=00A550}}
{{rail line|previous=[[Roscrea railway station|Roscrea]]|next=Terminus|route=[[Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)|Commuter]]<br/><small> [[Limerick-Ballybrophy railway line|Limerick-Ballybrophy]]</small>|col=00A550}}
}}
}}


'''Ballybrophy''' is a [[railway station]] at [[Kilpurcel]], beside the village of [[Ballybrophy]], [[County Laois]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], halfway between [[Borris-in-Ossory]] and [[Rathdowney]] in the Barony of [[Clandonagh]].
'''Ballybrophy''' is a [[railway station]] in the village of [[Ballybrophy]], [[County Laois]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], halfway between [[Borris-in-Ossory]] and [[Rathdowney]] in the Barony of [[Clandonagh]].


The station is an exchange point for passengers on [[Dublin-Cork railway line|Dublin to Cork]] services to connect to {{Stnlnk|Limerick}} via {{Stnlnk|Nenagh}} services.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.irishrail.ie/index.jsp?p=119&n=147| website=Irish Rail| title=Timetables| access-date=2012-08-16| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402042758/http://www.irishrail.ie/train-timetables/timetables-by-route| archive-date=2019-04-02| url-status=dead}}</ref>
The station is an exchange point for passengers on [[Dublin-Cork railway line|Dublin to Cork]] services to connect to {{Stnlnk|Limerick}} via {{Stnlnk|Nenagh}} services.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.irishrail.ie/index.jsp?p=119&n=147| website=Irish Rail| title=Timetables| access-date=2012-08-16| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402042758/http://www.irishrail.ie/train-timetables/timetables-by-route| archive-date=2019-04-02| url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Overview ==
== Station name ==
The station opened on 1 September 1847<ref>{{cite web | title=Ballybrophy station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-05| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf| archivedate= 26 September 2007 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = live}}</ref> as ''Roscrea & Borris'', was renamed ''Roscrea & Parsonstown Junction'' in 1858, and renamed again in 1871 as ''Ballybrophy.''
The station opened on 1 September 1847<ref>{{cite web | title=Ballybrophy station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-05| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf| archivedate= 26 September 2007 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = live}}</ref> as ''Roscrea & Borris''. It was later renamed ''Roscrea & Parsonstown Junction'' in 1858, and renamed again in 1871 as ''Ballybrophy''.<ref>{{cite book |last= Johnson|first= Stephen |author-link= |title= Johnson's Atlas and Gazetteer of the Railways of Ireland |year= 1997 |url= |location= |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing Ltd (December 1, 1997) |page= 81|isbn=1857800443 }}</ref>


== Facilities ==
Lifts were fitted to the footbridge in late 2007. Therefore, disabled passengers who cannot use steps and are boarding or alighting from trains to [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork]] and Limerick via [[Limerick Junction]] are no longer required to cross the tracks at ground level, as was previously the case.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.irishrail.ie/ballybrophy| website=Irish Rail| title=Ballybrophy}}</ref> This was only possible when trains were clear of the tracks.
Lifts were fitted to the footbridge in late 2007. Therefore, disabled passengers who cannot use steps and are boarding or alighting from trains to [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork]] and Limerick via [[Limerick Junction]] are no longer required to cross the tracks at ground level, as was previously the case.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.irishrail.ie/ballybrophy| website=Irish Rail| title=Ballybrophy}}</ref> This was only possible when trains were clear of the tracks.


Line 88: Line 88:


== Proposed developments ==
== Proposed developments ==
Ballybrophy's railway station is a connection point between the main [[Dublin-Cork railway line|Dublin-Cork main line]] and the [[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line]]. The branch line is lightly travelled, as the principal route between Dublin and Limerick is via Limerick Junction. This is faster and more comfortable due to higher line speeds. Since the introduction of a two-hourly Dublin-Limerick service in 2008, this journey does not usually require a change of train.{{fact}}
Ballybrophy's railway station is a connection point between the main [[Dublin-Cork railway line|Dublin-Cork main line]] and the [[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line]]. The branch line is lightly travelled, as the principal route between Dublin and Limerick is via Limerick Junction. Since the introduction of a two-hourly Dublin-Limerick service in 2008, this journey does not usually require a change of train.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}


Up until the mid-1980s the line to [[Limerick railway station|Limerick]] via [[Nenagh railway station|Nenagh]] diverged from the mainline via a junction that faced Cork. This was replaced by a siding connection when the mainline was resignalled. For trains to enter the Nenagh branch from the Dublin bound mainline requires trains to set back into the bay platform before proceeding to Nenagh and Limerick. A train travelling from Dublin to Limerick via Nenagh would need to set back from the Down mainline onto the Up mainline before pulling forward into the bay platform. Prior to 1967, the only route from Dublin to Limerick that did not entail a reversal was via [[Athenry railway station|Athenry]] and the former Sligo to Limerick line of the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway.{{fact}}
Up until the mid-1980s the line to [[Limerick railway station|Limerick]] via [[Nenagh railway station|Nenagh]] diverged from the mainline via a junction that faced Cork. This was replaced by a siding connection when the mainline was resignalled. For trains to enter the Nenagh branch from the Dublin bound mainline requires trains to set back into the bay platform before proceeding to Nenagh and Limerick. A train travelling from Dublin to Limerick via Nenagh would need to set back from the Down mainline onto the Up mainline before pulling forward into the bay platform.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} Prior to 1967, the only route from Dublin to Limerick that did not entail a reversal was via [[Athenry railway station|Athenry]] and the former Sligo to Limerick line of the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}


Some of those who favour retaining the line have theorised that replacing the south facing connection at Ballybrophy with a new line east to the more populated [[Borris-in-Ossory]], and joining the line nearer [[Portlaoise railway station|Portlaoise]] would be better for Dublin connections. However, in addition to the substantial capital cost of this work, substantial parts of the line would still need to be re-laid nearer Limerick to eliminate severe speed restrictions.{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} It also offers no advantages over the current through route from Dublin to Limerick via Thurles and the north curve at [[Limerick Junction]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} The [[M7 motorway (Ireland)|M7 motorway]] from Dublin to Limerick also dissuades rail usage.{{fact}}
Some of those{{who|date=January 2022}} who favour retaining the line have theorised{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} that replacing the south facing connection at Ballybrophy with a new line east to the more populated [[Borris-in-Ossory]], and joining the line nearer [[Portlaoise railway station|Portlaoise]] would be better for Dublin connections.{{original research inline|date=January 2022}} However, in addition to the substantial capital cost of this work, substantial parts of the line would still need to be re-laid nearer Limerick to eliminate severe speed restrictions.{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} The [[M7 motorway (Ireland)|M7 motorway]] from Dublin to Limerick also dissuades rail usage.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}


===Proposed closure of Ballybrophy-Nenagh-Limerick line===
===Proposed closure===
In November 2016 it was announced the line was very likely to close in 2018 as the demand for the service is very low and CIE/IE wish to close it to save money.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/151116_2016_Rail_Review_Report_Complete_Online.pdf | title=Rail Review 2016 | publisher=National Transport Authority | location=Ireland | date=August 2016 | accessdate=21 December 2020 }}</ref> This was subsequently ruled out by Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20466784.html|title=Rail closure claims rejected by Iarnród Éireann; Taoiseach rules out rail lines being axed|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=7 February 2018|accessdate=12 April 2021}}</ref>
In November 2016 it was announced the line was very likely to close in 2018 as the demand for the service was low and CIE/IE wished to close it to save money.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/151116_2016_Rail_Review_Report_Complete_Online.pdf | title=Rail Review 2016 | publisher=National Transport Authority | location=Ireland | date=August 2016 | accessdate=21 December 2020 }}</ref> This was subsequently ruled out by Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20466784.html|title=Rail closure claims rejected by Iarnród Éireann; Taoiseach rules out rail lines being axed|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=7 February 2018|accessdate=12 April 2021}}</ref>


===Petitioned upgrades===
===Proposed upgrade of Ballybrophy-Nenagh-Limerick line===
The North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership have campaigned to improve the [[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line]] service, including issuing an online petition.<ref name="nenaghguardian2021">{{cite web|url = https://www.nenaghguardian.ie/2021/01/21/rail-group-welcomes-investment-in-local-line/ | title = Rail group welcomes investment in local line | website = nenaghguardian.ie | date = 21 January 2021 }}</ref> It is hoped{{by whom|date=January 2022}} that, as soon as an ongoing [[Rail tracks#Continuous welded rail|continuous welded rail]] (CWR) relay project is completed between [[Cloughjordan railway station|Cloughjordan]] and [[Roscrea railway station|Roscrea]] stations, that further improvements such as the [[railway signaling|signalling system]] on the [[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line]] will then be upgraded to help improve the speed limits imposed on trains travelling on the line.<ref name="nenaghguardian2021"/>


⚫
[[File:Ballybrophy water tower 2002.JPG|thumb|An old water tower, from the days of steam, pictured in 2002]]
The North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership have long campaigned to improve the [[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line]] service.<ref>https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/upgrade-and-invest-in-the-limerick-nenagh-ballybrophy-railway-line?source=twitter-share-button&utm_medium=myuplift&utm_source=twitter&share=f89b5368-73a9-4ca0-b510-7320b7cf7e03</ref>

There is a phased [[Rail tracks#Continuous welded rail|continuous welded rail]] (CWR) track relay project being carried out on the line over the last few years. There is currently ~12 miles of the old jointed track left to be replaced with CWR in the relay project. The majority of the remaining jointed track yet to be relayed is between [[Cloughjordan railway station|Cloughjordan]] and [[Roscrea railway station|Roscrea]] stations.{{fact}}

It is hoped{{by whom?}} as soon as this CWR relay project is completed, the [[railway signaling|signalling system]] on the
[[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line]] will then be upgraded which will help improve the speed limits imposed on trains travelling on the line.

It has been suggested{{by whom?}} that the name of the Ballybrophy railway station should be amended to "Ballybrophy & Nenagh Junction" Railway Station as this would better reflect who, what and where the station and the junction connection with the Nenagh branch on the [[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line]] was originally intended to serve.{{says who?}} and to simplify the railway system for passengers and tourists not familiar with the [[Irish Rail]] network.{{or-inline}}{{fact}}
⚫
[[File:Ballybrophy water tower 2002.JPG|thumb|335px|The old water tower from the days of steam, 2002]]


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 119: Line 112:
* [http://www.southtipperaryrailandbus.com/ballybrophy-roscrea-nenagh-limerick-line.html Ballybrophy-Roscrea-Nenagh-Limerick line]
* [http://www.southtipperaryrailandbus.com/ballybrophy-roscrea-nenagh-limerick-line.html Ballybrophy-Roscrea-Nenagh-Limerick line]
* [http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Railway%20Stations%20B/Ballybrophy/IrishRailwayStations.html Ballybrophy Station on Eire Trains]
* [http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Railway%20Stations%20B/Ballybrophy/IrishRailwayStations.html Ballybrophy Station on Eire Trains]
{{Railway stations served by Iarnród Éireann}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballybrophy Halt}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballybrophy Halt}}
[[Category:Iarnród Éireann stations in County Laois]]
[[Category:Iarnród Éireann stations in County Laois]]
[[Category:Railway stations in County Laois]]
[[Category:Railway stations in County Laois]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened in 1847]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the Republic of Ireland opened in 1847]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in Ireland]]

Latest revision as of 20:37, 26 November 2024

Ballybrophy

Baile Uí Bhróithe
Iarnród Éireann
Ballybrophy Station
General information
Other namesHeavens Entrance
LocationStation Road, Ballybrophy, County Laois, R32 DW66
Ireland
Coordinates52°53′58″N 7°36′9″W / 52.89944°N 7.60250°W / 52.89944; -7.60250
Owned byIarnród Éireann
Operated byIarnród Éireann
Platforms4
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
History
Opened1847
Services
Preceding station   Iarnród Éireann   Following station
Portlaoise   InterCity
Dublin-Cork Main Line 		  Thurles
Portlaoise   InterCity
Dublin-Limerick 		  Templemore
Roscrea   Commuter
Limerick-Ballybrophy 		  Terminus

Ballybrophy is a railway station in the village of Ballybrophy, County Laois, Ireland, halfway between Borris-in-Ossory and Rathdowney in the Barony of Clandonagh.

The station is an exchange point for passengers on Dublin to Cork services to connect to Limerick via Nenagh services.[1]

Station name

[edit]

The station opened on 1 September 1847[2] as Roscrea & Borris. It was later renamed Roscrea & Parsonstown Junction in 1858, and renamed again in 1871 as Ballybrophy.[3]

Facilities

[edit]

Lifts were fitted to the footbridge in late 2007. Therefore, disabled passengers who cannot use steps and are boarding or alighting from trains to Cork and Limerick via Limerick Junction are no longer required to cross the tracks at ground level, as was previously the case.[4] This was only possible when trains were clear of the tracks.

Proposed developments

[edit]

Ballybrophy's railway station is a connection point between the main Dublin-Cork main line and the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line. The branch line is lightly travelled, as the principal route between Dublin and Limerick is via Limerick Junction. Since the introduction of a two-hourly Dublin-Limerick service in 2008, this journey does not usually require a change of train.[citation needed]

Up until the mid-1980s the line to Limerick via Nenagh diverged from the mainline via a junction that faced Cork. This was replaced by a siding connection when the mainline was resignalled. For trains to enter the Nenagh branch from the Dublin bound mainline requires trains to set back into the bay platform before proceeding to Nenagh and Limerick. A train travelling from Dublin to Limerick via Nenagh would need to set back from the Down mainline onto the Up mainline before pulling forward into the bay platform.[citation needed] Prior to 1967, the only route from Dublin to Limerick that did not entail a reversal was via Athenry and the former Sligo to Limerick line of the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway.[citation needed]

Some of those[who?] who favour retaining the line have theorised[citation needed] that replacing the south facing connection at Ballybrophy with a new line east to the more populated Borris-in-Ossory, and joining the line nearer Portlaoise would be better for Dublin connections.[original research?] However, in addition to the substantial capital cost of this work, substantial parts of the line would still need to be re-laid nearer Limerick to eliminate severe speed restrictions.[citation needed] The M7 motorway from Dublin to Limerick also dissuades rail usage.[citation needed]

Proposed closure

[edit]

In November 2016 it was announced the line was very likely to close in 2018 as the demand for the service was low and CIE/IE wished to close it to save money.[5] This was subsequently ruled out by Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann).[6]

Petitioned upgrades

[edit]

The North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership have campaigned to improve the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line service, including issuing an online petition.[7] It is hoped[by whom?] that, as soon as an ongoing continuous welded rail (CWR) relay project is completed between Cloughjordan and Roscrea stations, that further improvements such as the signalling system on the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line will then be upgraded to help improve the speed limits imposed on trains travelling on the line.[7]

An old water tower, from the days of steam, pictured in 2002

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Timetables". Irish Rail. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Ballybrophy station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  3. ^ Johnson, Stephen (1997). Johnson's Atlas and Gazetteer of the Railways of Ireland. Ian Allan Publishing Ltd (December 1, 1997). p. 81. ISBN 1857800443.
  4. ^ "Ballybrophy". Irish Rail.
  5. ^ "Rail Review 2016" (PDF). Ireland: National Transport Authority. August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Rail closure claims rejected by Iarnród Éireann; Taoiseach rules out rail lines being axed". Irish Examiner. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Rail group welcomes investment in local line". nenaghguardian.ie. 21 January 2021.
[edit]
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