The decline in rail freight carriage over the past decade may be coming to an end, with Iarnród Éireann confirming yesterday that a second new freight business has started.
Two trains a week will run for Norfolkline from Waterford Port to Cork's North Esk freight depot. They will each carry the equivalent of 36 truck movements.
Last month Iarnród Éireann announced it had secured a new contract with Coillte to transport timber from Sligo, Westport and Ballina to Waterford. This pulpwood traffic will initially total 100,000 tonnes annually, and is planned to increase to 200,000 tonnes. Iarnród Éireann previously carried timber by rail for Coillte, but the traffic was transferred to road after freight rates were increased.
Iarnród Éireann's freight manager, Mr Stephen Aherne, said: "We're delighted to secure our second major new business this summer, serving the Waterford area. Following the return of pulpwood traffic to rail between the west of Ireland and Waterford, this new container business from Norfolkline represents the future of container rail operations in this country."
Less than 4 per cent of freight volumes in Ireland is carried by rail, compared with the EU average of 8 per cent.