IRISH RAIL ARE hoping that its train fleet can match the average speed of trains from 1916 in time for the anniversary of the Rising.

 “We’re working hard to meet that target. It would be great 100 years on to be able to say, yes we’ve done it, we’re now travelling as a nation as fast as we were back in the old days”,  said  Irish Rail spokesperson, Barry Kenny.

“Trialing is continuing on the north-south line between Dublin and Belfast with our Enterprise service. Recently, we had our early morning train, the 9.30 a.m. reach speeds of up to 66 kph. If we can push her to 80, that’s the job done”, he added.

The 50 mile journey between Dundalk and Dublin currently takes 62 minutes. In 1916, the journey took just 58 minutes using a coal fired steam engine.

©Louth Noises News, 2016.