When formed in 1945, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) inherited a GSR wagon fleet insufficient for post-war requirements. A major wagon building programme in the 1950s and 1960s eliminated this pre-war stock. The new stock consisted of open or covered general purpose wagons of the four-wheel loose-coupled design, without vacuum brakes and limited to 35mph. There were also a few specialised wagons built for tar, grain and cattle.
These vehicles were in turn superseded and phased out by the introduction of the intermodal fleet in the 1970s. The new liner-trains, complete with vacuum brakes and Y25/Y27 bogies, enabled high speed (60 mph) transportation.
Today, all of Iarnród Éireann's freight stock is maintained at Limerick Colbert. Most of the company's withdrawn freight wagons are stored here as well, though some can be found at Heuston, North Wall Yard and Tralee. A large number of disused flat wagons are stored on disconnected sidings near the former Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann factory in Mallow.
Current freight flows Lead and Zinc Ore from Tara Mines (Near Navan) to North Wall, Dublin Intermodal traffic between Ballina and North Wall, Dublin (Suspended) Intermodal traffic between Ballina Belview Port, Waterford Timber traffic between Westport/Ballina and Belview Port, Waterford
Freight listing
WagonLengthIntroducedNumbersTareCouplingCapacityImageNotes Fertiliser 1974 35001-35090 Instanter Bogie Flat 1971 & 1978 30001-30212 Instanter Bogie Flat 1978 30219-30278 Instanter Rail Truck 1973 24224-24240 Instanter Wagon Instanter Cement "Bubble" 1964-1972 25050-25199 Instanter 25199 preserved at DCDR 4-wheel Flat 1970-1975 27101-27791 Instanter 27756 Preserved at Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway Bogie Cement 1979 33001-33012 Instanter Ballast hopper 1972 & 1977 24113-24148, 24250-24263 Instanter Ammonia Instanter Timber flat InstanterIn use on Coillte trains between Westport/Ballina and Waterford.Zinc wagonAll withdrawn at Limerick Colbert.Shale wagonAll withdrawn at Limerick Colbert. Some converted to zinc wagons.Pocket wagonIn use on DFDS Liner Trains between Waterford and Ballina.Tank wagonWithdrawn at Limerick and Heuston.Beet wagon
See also Coaching stock of Ireland Multiple units of Ireland Rail transport in Ireland Steam locomotives of Ireland
References
External links Eiretrains - Irish Locomotives