New dawn for Limerick-Foynes freight line

The first train has run on the reinstated Limerick-Foynes Freight Line, ahead of the 2027 restoration of rail access to Ireland’s Port of Foynes. The two-car passenger unit operated during testing over a public holiday weekend at the end of October. It was the first train to traverse the route since its decommissioning in 2001.

The €151.5 million project will restore freight services along the 42-kilometre route between Limerick and Foynes. Commercial operations are expected to begin in early 2027, following completion of infrastructure testing and driver training. The reopening will reconnect the deep-water port to Ireland’s national rail network. It is intended to support both bulk and intermodal traffic, offering businesses an alternative to road transport and strengthening the port’s role in the wider logistics network.

Work has been underway on the line for three years to reconnect the west coast port to the network. Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) confirmed that the first test train successfully traversed the reinstated route during the October bank holiday weekend. A two-car passenger unit was deployed in the initial run. The train is being used to shake down signalling and telecommunications infrastructure.

“Adverse weather conditions presented some challenges to the long weekend’s testing schedule,” said an Iarnród Éireann spokesperson. “The dedicated on-site testing team ran the first test train on the newly reinstated line, a significant milestone and the first train to run on the line since its decommissioning in 2001.” The test unit is expected to return regularly over the coming weeks.

This story was originally published by RailFreight.com. Read the full story at RailFreight.com →