Major Programme of Works on Rejuvenated Line in Ireland.
A total of 104 shifts were delivered by Rhomberg Sersa on the Limerick-Foynes line in the south-west of Ireland, in one of the key stages to preparing the track for freight traffic.
The €104million project will see the 42km line to Foynes Port reopened to rail traffic for the first time since 2001.
Phase 1 of the project involved major preparations of the site such as vegetation clearance and the removal of existing track. New ballast was laid to bring the ballast bed up to modern Iarnród Éireann – Irish Rail (IÉ) standards while new rail and concrete sleepers were laid along the entire route.
In mid-October, 2024, two OTMs were craned onto site in order to prepare the track for traffic. Tamper 742 and Regulator 704 were brought by road, and they were then lifted onto the line.
Over the following four months, a total of 104 shifts were delivered by Rhomberg Sersa.
“It’s fantastic to see old lines being reopened and we’re very proud to be part of this project,” said Robbie Mullen, COO of Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group in Ireland. “Irish Rail is making huge investment into the network and the standard of works is very high.”
Phase 2 of the project is now taking place and will include the installation of a signalling system on the route; installation of CCTV at level crossings; introduction of train communications system; and upgrades at Limerick and Foynes yard.
The final step before opening to traffic in 2026 will be testing and commissioning.
The line is being rehabilitated as part of IÉ’s commitment to its Rail Freight 2040 Strategy to place rail at the centre of Ireland’s freight transport system. This aims to create connections which offer Irish businesses greater opportunities to switch from road haulage to more sustainable rail transport.
