The Limerick to Ennis railway line reopened this morning for the first time in seven weeks.
Flooding on a section of the track near Newmarket on Fergus led to the line being closed.
Iarnród Éireann said it hoped future flooding of the track could be avoided and that the Office of Public Works has employed consultants to assess what options are open to it.
Passengers on the first trains to Limerick this morning expressed relief that they will no longer have to travel by road.
The Limerick to Ennis line is an integral part of the new western rail corridor, which is due to open next year.
From early 2009, trains will travel from Limerick to Galway via Ennis and Athenry.
