asked the Minister for Transport and Power if any attempts are at present being made to encourage the use of rail transport for large-scale operations and bulk transport so as to reduce congestion on the roads and to improve the viability of the railway section of CIE.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Rail Transport.
8.
It is a constant concern of CIE to encourage the use of rail transport for large scale operations and bulk transport. Specialised rail vehicles have been provided by the Board for the carriage of various types of bulk loads and where such traffic offers in sufficient volume, for example in the case of minerals, cement and fuel oil, CIE have provided special trains carrying between 400 and 500 tons which are capable of running at speeds in excess of those for normal goods trains. Special depots have also been provided at a number of centres to cater for the distribution of bulk traffics.