Was on the Midleton line last week. First time over the route. Knowing the ability of Dial Eireann to throw money at vainglorious projects like the WRC, and then approve the build the M18 parallel to it, it wasn't surprising to see both Carrigtwohill and Midleton as two platform Stations, complete with disabled access lifts. The dynamic passing loop could have been built before Carrigtwohill, allowing a single platform Station, with Midleton having a two platform Station, but no disabled access lift, as there is a level crossing at the Cork end of the Station, which can be reached through the Station car park. As it was an early afternoon on a Tuesday you would have thought both car parks would have been quite busy. You could have held an All Ireland in either, such was the lack of cars! Also the convoluted junction arrangement at Glounthaune (a sort of double junction with a ladder, instead of a single lead) shows that money was no object. (To give you an idea of Station build costs, a new Station is proposed at Pelletstown for €6.5million. Meanwhile the four platform Station at Kishoge has still to open 10 years after being built at over €6million, not to mention the two Green LUAS Line platforms yet to open).
http://www.thejournal.ie/new-e6-5-train-station-in-dublin-gets-green-light-4191066-Aug2018/
http://www.thejournal.ie/kishoge-3202996-Jan2017/