Rail travelers should check their plans carefully this weekend, as essential engineering works will interrupt services on major cross-border and Northern Ireland routes.
Affected Lines and Closures
The line connecting Drogheda and Dublin closes from Saturday, January 31, through Monday, February 2, for maintenance by Irish Rail. Another shutdown on the same stretch occurs on Saturday, February 21, and Sunday, February 22.
A broader set of upgrades impacts the Dublin, Bangor, Larne, and Derry/Londonderry lines in the weeks ahead. Translink coordinates these efforts to ensure network safety and reliability.
Replacement Services and Timetables
For Enterprise services between Drogheda and Dublin Connolly, rail replacement buses will run during the closures. A modified train schedule operates between Belfast Grand Central Station and Drogheda.
Additional works span two weekends in late February: Saturday, February 21, to Sunday, February 22, and Saturday, February 28, to Sunday, March 1. These affect the route from Lanyon Place Station to Bangor, the Coleraine to Derry/Londonderry line, and the Larne line between Carrickfergus and Larne Harbour. Bus replacements will support passengers during these periods.
Scope of Maintenance Projects
The initiatives cover various sites, including platform extensions at Helen’s Bay station, tunnel upkeep at Castlerock and Downhill, culvert fixes between Coleraine and Derry/Londonderry, and embankment reinforcements at Cloghan Point near Whitehead.
Translink groups these tasks into concentrated periods to minimize disruptions while bolstering the rail system’s long-term viability.
Statement from Translink Leadership
John Glass, Translink’s Director of Infrastructure and Projects, emphasized the importance of these upgrades. “We are committed to maintaining and enhancing our rail infrastructure to deliver a high quality, safe and sustainable public transport network today, and for future generations,” he stated. “We’ve planned these works carefully so that several essential upgrades, from tunnel repairs to platform extension work and embankment maintenance, can be delivered in one closure period.”
