The Green Line (Template:Lang-ga) is one of the two lines of Dublin's Luaslight rail system.
The Green Line was formerly entirely in the south side of Dublin city. It mostly follows the route of the old Harcourt Street railway line, which was reserved for possible re-use when it closed in 1958. The Green Line allows for passenger transfers at O’ Connell GPO and Marlborough to Luas Red Line services.
The Green Line from St Stephen's Green to Sandyford launched on 30 June 2004. An extension to Cherrywood (Brides Glen Station) was opened on 16 October 2010.
As of 2018, the Green line is operating at near maximum capacity during the morning and evening rush hours, and it experiences mass overcrowding and congestion at these times. To assist in alleviating this congestion, seven new longer trams entered service in 2018. Platforms between St Stephen's Green and Sandyford have been lengthened to accommodate the new trams. The existing fleet of trams on the line will be lengthened over the coming year also.[1]
In 2027, Luas services on the Charlemont-Sandyford section will be replaced by Metro services under the Metrolink proposal.[2]
Differences from Old Harcourt Street Line
Between Harcourt Street and Charlemont, the Green Line takes a large loop east around buildings which did not exist between 1859 and 1959. As such, there is no train bridge on Adelaide Road for the current line, as there had been for the Harcourt Street Line.
The line then follows the old alignment of the Harcourt Street line from Charlemont station as far as the current Sandyford stop (known as "Stillorgan" on the Harcourt Street line). After Sandyford the line detours over the Leopardstown Road/Brewery Road junction so as to run west around the Leopardstown Racecourse before rejoining the original alignment just north of Carrickmines.[3] The Harcourt Street line had run around the eastern edge of the racecourse, via Silverpark. Remnants of the old Foxrock Station are visible at the back of The Hedgerows in Foxrock.
After this detour around Leopardstown Racecourse, the current line runs roughly along the original alignment with some minor detours, particularly prevalent at Laughanstown.
There are some other cosmetic differences between the Harcourt Street Line and the current Green Line, such as the positioning of the Ranelagh stop. The location of Ranelagh on the former line was at the current Beechwood stop. The old Ranelagh stop was the last stop on the old line before the train reached the city.
Construction of Luas Cross City began in June 2013 and it opened on 9 December 2017.[5][6] The Rosie Hackett Bridge carrying the new line over the river Liffey was opened on 20 May 2014.
Part of the Luas Green Line is set to be replaced by the Dublin Metro, known as Metrolink, in 2027. Metro trains will replace Luas trams between Charlemont and Sandyford. Extensive upgrade works are required for this to happen. Platforms at all stations need to be lengthened, power upgrades need to take place, and a number of road crossings along the line need to be closed.[7]
At Charlemont, Metrolink will enter a tunnel, and continue under Dublin City Centre to Dublin Airport and the Northside of Dublin. Unlike Luas, it will not run on the street.[8]
Once Metrolink opens, the Luas Green Line will be split into two sections. One section will operate from Bride's Glen to Sandyford. The other section will operate from Charlemont to Broombridge. The section of the line from Charlemont to Sandyford will be exclusively used by metro trains.[9]
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
