National Rail (NR) is the trading name licensed for use by the Rail Delivery Group, an unincorporated association whose membership consists of the passenger train operating companies (TOCs) of England, Scotland, and Wales. The TOCs run the passenger services previously provided by the British Railways Board, from 1965 using the brand name British Rail. Northern Ireland, which is bordered by the Republic of Ireland, has a different system. National Rail services share a ticketing structure and inter-availability that generally do not extend to services which were not part of British Rail.
Rail transport in Ireland is provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.
Iarnród Éireann, or Irish Rail, is the operator of the national railway network of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ). It operates all internal InterCity, Commuter, DART and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast. In 2019, IÉ carried a record peak of 50 million passengers, up from 48 million in 2018.
The Western Railway Corridor is a term, used since c. 2003, for a partly disused railway line running through the west of Ireland. Currently two sections of the line, from Limerick via Ennis to Athenry and from Collooney to Sligo, see regular services, with other sections either closed or only technically classed as open.
The Belfast–Dublin Main Line is a main and busiest railway route on the island of Ireland that connects Dublin Connolly station in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Lanyon Place station in Northern Ireland. It is the only railway line that crosses the Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border.
Athlone railway station is a station which serves the town of Athlone in County Roscommon and County Westmeath. It is located in the town on the east side of the river Shannon.
Ballinasloe railway station is a railway station in Ballinasloe, County Galway. It is operated by Iarnród Éireann (IÉ). Opened in 1851, this railway station is a fine and imposing Tudor style building, designed by George Wilkinson.
Woodlawn railway station is a railway station situated on the Dublin-Galway line. It is beside a level crossing on the R359 regional road in the village of Woodlawn in County Galway, Ireland.
Attymon railway station serves the townland of Attymon in County Galway, Ireland.
Athenry railway station serves the town of Athenry in County Galway.
Castlerea railway station serves the town of Castlerea in County Roscommon, Ireland. The station opened on 15 November 1860.
Ballyhaunis railway station serves the town of Ballyhaunis in County Mayo, Ireland.
Claremorris railway station serves the town of Claremorris in County Mayo, Ireland. It opened on 19 May 1862.
Manulla Junction railway station is a transfer point for train passengers in County Mayo, Ireland.
Castlebar railway station serves the town of Castlebar in County Mayo, Ireland.
Westport railway station serves the town of Westport, County Mayo, Ireland.
Foxford railway station serves the town of Foxford in County Mayo, Ireland.
InterCity is the brand name given to rail services operated by Iarnród Éireann that run between Dublin and other major cities in Ireland. InterCity branding is also used in other European countries by unaffiliated organizations.
The Dublin to Sligo main line is a railway route operated by Iarnród Éireann in Ireland. It starts in Dublin Connolly station, terminating at Sligo Mac Diarmada railway station in Sligo. The route is a double-track railway as far as Maynooth, being a single-track railway with passing loops between there and Sligo.
The Limerick–Ballybrophy line is a 52.5 miles (84.5 km) railway line connecting the city of Limerick with Ballybrophy in County Laois. The line diverges from the Limerick to Limerick Junction railway line at Killonan Junction and continues in a north east direction with five intermediate stops at Castleconnell, Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan and Roscrea. The line ends at Ballybrophy where it joins the Dublin-Cork Main Line.
