Dublin train 'back on track'

The 20 metres of track that collapsed into the sea has been replaced

The Enterprise train from Belfast to Dublin has returned to normal service following weeks of repairs after the track collapsed into the sea.

In August, a major disaster was narrowly averted after 20 metres of rail track in north Dublin began to give way.

It is estimated passenger numbers have dropped by 60% since then. Translink said it has cost them up to £2m.

Trains will run at lower speeds over the new section for the next month.

Irish Rail said the incident has cost them about 10m euro.

It said this sum included money spent on engineering works, lost revenue and the cost of providing buses between Drogheda and Dublin.

Translink has offered reduced fares for six weeks to encourage passengers back to the train service.

Irish railways spokesman Barry Kenny apologised for the delays caused

Last week, Irish railways spokesman Barry Kenny said they would be working hard to win passengers back.

"When we start back on schedule for 16 November, it will be the full service again on the Enterprise and we are working with Translink," he said.

"We are going to have quite a lot of promotions obviously to bring people back.

"We are also quite pleased we are going to have the service back ahead of the Christmas season."

The Enterprise service is jointly run by Translink and the Republic of Ireland's Iarnrod Eireann.