THE RAIL line between Ennis and Limerick city was closed for more than six hours yesterday after debris was washed on to the tracks following torrential downpours in the area.
There were just eight people on board the 12.30pm Limerick to Ennis service when the two-carriage train encountered a mud slide as it was passing through the townland of Ayleacotty between Newmarket on Fergus and Quin at around 12.50pm.
The train had just come over a hill and was descending on the other side when the driver observed that a small part of the bank had collapsed on to the track.
He contacted Iarnród Éireann’s control centre and checked the train for any damage. After speaking to controllers, he was allowed continue to Ennis station. The rail line was closed and all services suspended pending completion of a track inspection.
Engineers established that no damage had been caused to the line. The line was expected to reopen at 8pm last night.
A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said: “The train was not hit by the mud slide which was very small. There had been a lot of heavy rain in the area as a result of which part of a steep bank slid on to the line. The driver brought the train to a safe stop and alerted control.”