[PR] Irish Rail fuel efficency

[Mark Gleeson]

This came in on the grapevine this morning. Nothing new to RUI members as the 4 coach ICR fleet has been known about for several months

That said from a passenger point of view shorter trains are not exactly always a good thing

Iarnród Éireann targets further €3 million in annual fuel savings

Energy consumption initiatives already yielded €16 million in annual savings

Off-peak DART train size and Intercity train configurations to yield savings


Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail is to implement new energy saving fleet utilisation initiatives to generate fuel savings, which will reduce fuel and maintenance costs by €3.2 million per annum.

The range of actions begin this week, focusing on train size for off-peak DART services.

Currently, 65% of total daily DART passengers travel in the four hours of either morning or evening peak, with the remaining 35% travelling across the remaining 14 hours of travel. In place of longer trains used currently, the company will increase the usage of 2-carriage DARTs at off-peak times from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, and after 7pm, to eliminate unnecessary energy usage and reduce maintenance costs, while continuing existing service frequency to customers.

This approach also allows the flexibility for capacity to be increased on off-peak trains at times of higher demand, such as for major events. Furthermore, the company are continuing to monitor peak train sizes and will increase capacity on one peak service in response to demand, the 16.40hrs Bray to Malahide DART, from 6 to 8 carriages.

For Intercity services, Iarnród Éireann is to reconfigure the Intercity railcar fleet. Currently, the 234 carriages in the fleet are configured to form 48 three-carriage trains and 15 six-carriage trains. This has lead to capacity shortages on some services and oversupply on others. The fleet will be reconfigured to form 45 four-carriage trains and 18 three-carriage trains, allowing greater flexibility in train size, with 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 carriage Intercity trains possible as result by combining train sets together. These changes will be implemented on a phased basis by year end.

As well as savings in fuel and maintenance costs, the new fleet configuration will ensure train size can be targeted to meet demand, and increase train size and seat numbers on services which have experienced high numbers travelling.

The measures are the latest in a range of initiatives introduced by Iarnród Éireann to reduce energy consumption, yielding environmental and cost benefits. Since 2007, energy consumption – the vast majority of which is for diesel and electricity to power trains – has reduced by over one-third in Iarnród Éireann, through actions including:

- New trains incorporating improved energy efficiency

- Automatic shutdown of train engines to reduce idling

- Reduction in DART power supply voltage and competitive tendering of electricity supply

- Extension of regenerative braking on the DART

- More efficient DART train software

- Reduced train sizes where demand has decreased

- Implementation of improved lighting, heating and fan controls in depots

- Changes to lighting in station car parks

- Temperature and lighting control systems in buildings to prevent wastage

In total, energy usage in Megawatt hours has reduced from 793,400 in 2007 to 526,800 in 2012, a reduction of almost 34%.

The company’s energy bills were €16 million lower in 2012 than they would have been had these measures not been implemented.

[Thomas Ralph]

2-car DARTs will badly slow down the service unless they install stop boards.

[karlr42]

They have, and from what I saw today(the two car DARTs are already in use from today) the boards seem to be being used properly. Will take a while for passengers to adapt though.

[jacko]

nothing wrong with cutting capacity off peak but IR should be able to respond when demand is high.

Yesterday 4 carriage DARTs were not sufficient for the crowds pre and post the All Ireland Final.

they need to up their game for football in a fortnight and hurling replay which is on a saturday which is obviously a busier day than a sunday

[Inniskeen]

As you say, no big surprise as this has been in the offing for at least two years. Would expect many Heuston sets to reduce to 4 car and for 4 car sets to replace most of the remaining mark 4 services. Would also expect some shrinkage on the Sligo line, 1600 to Sligo or 1805 to Longford hardly need to be 6 cars. Same probably applies to the 1905 Sligo.

[Jamie2k9]

As you say, no big surprise as this has been in the offing for at least two years. Would expect many Heuston sets to reduce to 4 car and for 4 car sets to replace most of the remaining mark 4 services. Would also expect some shrinkage on the Sligo line, 1600 to Sligo or 1805 to Longford hardly need to be 6 cars. Same probably applies to the 1905 Sligo.

It will be interesting to see how they work it out. Ideally full benefit won't be seen until the 2014 timetable as dropping capacity on some intercity services out of Heuston in the evenings will result in problems for commuter stops, it could well result in another 18.35 Waterford service unless they are carful how they introduce it.

The 2 car DART's are a welcome for off peak services.

[Jamie2k9]

Can anybody confirm if 4 car trains are in service, almost certain The 15.05 from Galway was a 4 car and there was a 7 car set arriving in Heuston as I passed.

[Mark Gleeson]

4 car has been certified for operation

[joey]

A 9 carriage 22k set, how is this configured, 3x3 carraige sets together?

and the 7 carriage set?

Any danger of the 0800 ex Dublin weekday service being upped to a 4 carriage set, given previously a 3 carriage set was operating the 0700 and a 6 carriage set operating the 0900 - which were amalgamated to form the now 0800 service

The now 0800 is a reasonably busy service and, this is the first westbound after Maynooth in the mornings.

[Colm Moore]

A 9 carriage 22k set, how is this configured, 3x3 carraige sets together?Likely a 6+3.

and the 7 carriage set?4+3

[Mark Gleeson]

Any combination is possible up to a max of 9 in service. But you cannot couple two A2 cars together. Thats unlikely to happen as A2 is the first class coach. But a train can have two A2 cars provided they are not nose to nose

Emergency allows for a monster 18 coach train, but obviously you loose seat reservations, and the in cab CCTV system will be confused if you do that.

[berneyarms]

Likely a 6+3.

4+3

Currently a 9 pce set can operate either as 6 + 3 or 3 x 3.

Once the reconfiguration happens there will be no 6pce sets left so your possible configurations will be:

3pce
4pce
6pce - 2 x 3pce
7pce - 4 + 3
8pce - 2 x 4pce
9pce - 3 x 3pce

8pce or 9pce sets can realistically only operate from Dublin to Cork or Dundalk, or to Galway excluding Clara.

The reconfiguration has not started yet (other than for testing), and will take quite some time to complete when it does start.

[Mark Gleeson]

Tullamore is out as well

Dublin Dundalk is only good for Connolly P2/4, Howth Junction (northbound), Drogheda (P1/2) and Dundalk. So basically no good

[jacko]

3 car set being used to operate 16.00 Heuston-Cork today.

Near capacity leaving Heuston and has just departed Port Laoise where over 100 passengers were waiting to board from Ploughing Chships

The cattle at the ploughing are going home in less cramped conditions - disgraceful overcrowding with large numbers standing

No forward planning !

[berneyarms]

3 car set being used to operate 16.00 Heuston-Cork today.

Near capacity leaving Heuston and has just departed Port Laoise where over 100 passengers were waiting to board from Ploughing Chships

The cattle at the ploughing are going home in less cramped conditions - disgraceful overcrowding with large numbers standing

No forward planning !

That train is supposed to be a 2 x 3 pce - there must have been a failure or some other issue that meant it was shortened.

[Jamie2k9]

The 16.00 is always very busy and that's why cheapest online ticket is €33 to push people to other services. Might be better pushing it to €44.

Possibly given the Ploughing is on, maybe 6 car could of being used.

That train is supposed to be a 2 x 3 pce - there must have been a failure or some other issue that meant it was shortened.

Only Fridays and Saturdays, not during the week.

[Eddie]

At the entrance to Dun Laoghaire station there is a sign that says something like: "For your convenience on shorter Dart Services, we have installed a '2/3/4 Car Stop' point that tells you where the train will stop so you don't have to walk so far."

Where do they locate this Stop Point for North bound Darts? 80% of the way down the platform. It would be difficult to locate it much further away from the ticket office if they tried. Just a guess, but I doubt Dun Laoghaire is unique in this regard.

And my second point relates particularly to 2 carriage Darts. Why would you have 2 carriage Darts followed 15 minutes later by much longer ones? If the aim is to save money - and don't get me wrong - it's good that we now know that the cost of running a Dart is proportional to its length - but it would surely make logical sense for Dart sizes to be increased at peak periods and reduced in the offpeaks, but without the variability that seems present at the minute. Once traffic only warrants a 2 carriage Dart at 6.30pm for example, then, sporting or music events excepting, all Darts after this time should be such.

[berneyarms]

At the entrance to Dun Laoghaire station there is a sign that says something like: "For your convenience on shorter Dart Services, we have installed a '2/3/4 Car Stop' point that tells you where the train will stop so you don't have to walk so far."

Where do they locate this Stop Point for North bound Darts? 80% of the way down the platform. It would be difficult to locate it much further away from the ticket office if they tried. Just a guess, but I doubt Dun Laoghaire is unique in this regard.

And my second point relates particularly to 2 carriage Darts. Why would you have 2 carriage Darts followed 15 minutes later by much longer ones? If the aim is to save money - and don't get me wrong - it's good that we now know that the cost of running a Dart is proportional to its length - but it would surely make logical sense for Dart sizes to be increased at peak periods and reduced in the offpeaks, but without the variability that seems present at the minute. Once traffic only warrants a 2 carriage Dart at 6.30pm for example, then, sporting or music events excepting, all Darts after this time should be such.

Perhaps that longer set could be swapped at Connolly rather than Bray for example, as it is needed in Fairview for the following morning or for an exam. You are always going to have a certain amount of positioning moves with any transport operation.

[ocian]

Any idea Mark (or anyone else for that matter) if IR will be using the 4 carriage 22000 trains on the Rosslare line? I have e-mailed and written to IR so many times in the past asking them to replace the 29000 trains with the 22000s, but they always say they are using the 29000s because the 3 car 22000s are too small for the busy times (and most of the stations are too short for a 6 car 22000). So does any one know if they'll replace the 2 or 3 29000s we have with the 4 car 22000s when they're ready? Personally I'm getting sick of the 29000s on this line!

P.S. I'm new to the Forum so don't murder me if this has already been discussed somewhere

[berneyarms]

Any idea Mark (or anyone else for that matter) if IR will be using the 4 carriage 22000 trains on the Rosslare line? I have e-mailed and written to IR so many times in the past asking them to replace the 29000 trains with the 22000s, but they always say they are using the 29000s because the 3 car 22000s are too small for the busy times (and most of the stations are too short for a 6 car 22000). So does any one know if they'll replace the 2 or 3 29000s we have with the 4 car 22000s when they're ready? Personally I'm getting sick of the 29000s on this line!

P.S. I'm new to the Forum so don't murder me if this has already been discussed somewhere

You may well see 4 car sets on Rosslare, I would imagine it is rather likely.

The 29k sets have to be used on certain trains due to the higher loadings at present. As to whether they will all be replaced, I wouldn't imagine that this will necessarily happen. Some may be replaced but I'd imagine the commuter services will stay 29k operated.

Remember that there are no additional units arising from this reconfiguration, but if certain trains are shortened from 2 x 3pce to 1 x 4pce additional sets may become available.

Until they actually plan this out and start the reconfigurations, we'll have to wait and see.

[Mark Gleeson]

Firstly the use of 29k stock on the 3 intercity scheduled services each way is down to a lack of trains and not capacity, a 3 coach ICR has more seats than a 4 coach 29k anyway. Sligo line suffers from same on a Friday

The problem network wide is a 3 coach train is routinely too short on many services, but a 6 coach would be overkill and equally 6 coach trains are insufficient on some key services.

There is a good chance some Rosslare services will be moved to 4 coaches, most likely the 18:36 down and 07:15 up. As the Sligo line off peak will need fewer coaches it should mean all services are 22k

[Inniskeen]

While the 0715 from Rosslare would benefit from a 4-car ICR, the 1838 to Rosslare is generally very modestly loaded (often no more passengers than would have left Waterford for the south Wexford not too many years ago).

There appears to be a view in Irish Rail that a 4-car 2900 is a quick fix as more passengers can be stuffed due to the extra floor space. The 2900 is a great product but in terms of amenity is little better than a DART and not really suitable for journeys much in excess of an hour.

[ocian]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies :) I understand it's hard to know at this point how the units will be distributed across the network, I'm just hopeful to see the end of the 29k trains on the line! But I'm not sure how likely that'll be now because as Mark said it's due to lack of trains, not capacity reasons :( Sure all we can do is wait and see (and hope!)

[berneyarms]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies :) I understand it's hard to know at this point how the units will be distributed across the network, I'm just hopeful to see the end of the 29k trains on the line! But I'm not sure how likely that'll be now because as Mark said it's due to lack of trains, not capacity reasons :( Sure all we can do is wait and see (and hope!)

That's not quite true re capacity - the overall capacity of a 4 car 29k is higher than a 3 car 22k when you take standees into consideration.

The lunchtime train from Connolly and evening return from Rosslare would need a 4pce 29k to cope during the summer.

I would certainly expect the 29k sets to remain on the commuter trips on the route.

[dowlingm]

now there's going to be one less 22K available because they're ripping out seats to make a music train... :rolleyes:

[Mark Gleeson]

Let me be very clear about this the use of 29k units on Rosslare services has nothing to do with demand.

If a 22k set is available it will be used, so the 17:36 Connolly Wexford, the busiest southbound service is a 22k from time to time and that's no fun onboard.

We have had many meetings with those behind reservations and they cannot sell tickets on the 13:37 service as an ICR cannot be guaranteed, despite this being on weekends a very busy service.

[comcor]

Is there any suggestion to create a 2 car set?

I would imagine that this might be the most appropriate way to service Limerick Junction to Waterford.

[Jamie2k9]

While a 2 would be suitable, think of the wider picture. It's probably the only route in Ireland suitable for it and with only two services a day it's wasting capacity. The current roster for the route is build well into the schedules as until a few months ago it was doing nothing in Waterford, you would have to find another set to operate the two Dublin services around the limerick services and that's not easily done without significant costs.

[Mark Gleeson]

2 car is not possible, must have at least 1 B1 car in the consist

[Inniskeen]

Have Irish Rail backed off two-car DARTs - certainly no sign of any today off-peak up to 1900.

[Mark Gleeson]

We are back to 4 car off peak until after the evening peak, the way it should always have been

2 car was as we expected unworkable especially at lunchtime and when schoolchildern were going home.

There remains issues of driver not obeying the stop boards and there being no information as to which trains are which length.

The Greystones DART suspension may have changed things around so need to wait a few days to be sure, but based on meetings with Irish Rail there seems to now be a large scale climbdown on the previous plans.

[Jamie2k9]

We are back to 4 car off peak until after the evening peak, the way it should always have been

2 car was as we expected unworkable especially at lunchtime and when schoolchildern were going home.

There remains issues of driver not obeying the stop boards and there being no information as to which trains are which length.

The Greystones DART suspension may have changed things around so need to wait a few days to be sure, but based on meetings with Irish Rail there seems to now be a large scale climbdown on the previous plans.

It would also seem a lot of "TD's" interfered..

[Mark Gleeson]

Lots of unhappy passengers, no mention of politicians.

The incident at Grand Canal Dock seems to have pushed matters and should result in a harder line been taken with parking in the correct position

[karlr42]

What incident?

[Mark Gleeson]

Train E804, 08:20 Oct 1st, train 6 coaches stopped on the 4 stop board at Grand Canal Dock and opened doors. Rear of train not in platform.

I have confirmation that this event occurred.

[berneyarms]

Have Irish Rail backed off two-car DARTs - certainly no sign of any today off-peak up to 1900.

We are back to 4 car off peak until after the evening peak, the way it should always have been

2 car was as we expected unworkable especially at lunchtime and when schoolchildern were going home.

There remains issues of driver not obeying the stop boards and there being no information as to which trains are which length.

The Greystones DART suspension may have changed things around so need to wait a few days to be sure, but based on meetings with Irish Rail there seems to now be a large scale climbdown on the previous plans.

I actually suspect this has far more to do with the ESB works ongoing between Bray and Greystones than anything else, as more trains are clogging up space in Bray.

We shall see when Wednesday arrives!

[Mark Gleeson]

The official word is a reduction in the number of 2 car sets and more 4 car sets

[berneyarms]

The official word is a reduction in the number of 2 car sets and more 4 car sets

I would assume that this would be around the shoulders of the peak rather than all day though.

To be fair they did say that they would make changes where demand required it.

We shall see tomorrow!

[Jamie2k9]

Lots of unhappy passengers, no mention of politicians.


Quiet a few contacted IE and asked them to review it and respond to demand.

Would something like 2 2 car and 2 4 car sets per hour work or would it just not be possible to have right trains to operate instead of a full 2 car operation or 4 car operation.

[Jamie2k9]

Can confirm 2 car DARTS currently operating off peak.

[Inniskeen]

Following no obvious pattern !

[berneyarms]

Following no obvious pattern !

In what sense?

[Inniskeen]

In the sense that while there may be 2-car off-peak DARTs running today, the services I saw at lunchtime (1400) were both 4-car sets - hence no obvious pattern to me, at least.

[berneyarms]

In the sense that while there may be 2-car off-peak DARTs running today, the services I saw at lunchtime (1400) were both 4-car sets - hence no obvious pattern to me, at least.

Perhaps there have been some reconfigurations within the plan to cope with the trains that may need bigger sets as Mark suggested, and that certain sets are being retained as 4-car sets rather than splitting?

[Jamie2k9]

Notice a lot of Intercity services from next week have had many coaches zeroed out online. Guessing 4 coach sets starting soon. Are any units taken out of service and being changed?

6.35 to Waterford yesterday was a 3 coach and IE claim not one spare 3 coach set available to operate it, the reason for the reduction was "mechanical fault". Better start praying nothing breaks down Friday afternoon, a day when this excuse would be more acceptable given extra capacity on most services.

[berneyarms]

Notice a lot of Intercity services from next week have had many coaches zeroed out online. Guessing 4 coach sets starting soon. Are any units taken out of service and being changed?

6.35 to Waterford yesterday was a 3 coach and IE claim not one spare 3 coach set available to operate it, the reason for the reduction was "mechanical fault". Better start praying nothing breaks down Friday afternoon, a day when this excuse would be more acceptable given extra capacity on most services.

Well if they have started reconfiguration work, that would mean at least one six piece set and two three piece sets out at a time, so I would imagine that fleet availability will tighten up.

[Mickey H]

Reduced peaktime DART capacity due to driver issue
14 October 2013

Some DART services are operating with reduced peaktime capacity today due to a driver issue.

Peak time DARTs normally operate with a mix of 8-carriage, 6-carriage and 4-carriage trains. The effect of this issue will be that most DARTs will operate as a 4-carriage train, and a small number will operate as a 2-carriage train. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

This is due to a refusal by drivers to carry out a coupler check before DART trains leave the depot to enter service.

This check verifies that an electrical connection is complete through the train when multiple DART units are connected together. This is to ensure that doors are correctly interlocking.

The check is temporary in nature, as a modification is to be carried out to the fleet which will address the issue. Drivers had been carrying out the check since its introduction last month. However, following SIPTU indicating, outside of agreed procedures, that it would no longer cooperate with this check, they are not being carried out by drivers today resulting in shorter trains.

Should this issue remain unresolved, it will continue to affect morning and evening peak DART services.

source: http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4929&p=116&n=237

[Mickey H]

It is reported elsewhere that there are now three 4 car 22000s in service

[Pauliec77]

Sorry, I'm sure this isn't the right thread for this but am new on here and was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is another thread where a record of delayed trains is kept? For example, my Dart this morning got me to my destination 15 minutes late (it's only a 20 minute journey!) but seems as it technically turned up on time this journey will most likely not make it onto IR's monthly stats as a train that was late.

Just wondering if there's another thread for this sort of thing as I would love to see a comparison between IR's stats and rail user's actual experiences.

Thanks

[Mark Gleeson]

There are 4000 DART services a month so it is impossible to trace them all, if there is a specific train for a specific date I can get the full trace of the train journey for that trip.

Any DART 5 minutes late is recorded as such at destination (off peak+ evening rush) or city centre if before 9:30am Mon-Fri)

[Jamie2k9]

Just thinking any reason why the DVT's on the Mark 4's are not shut down at night time. Is starting them a problem, for a modern train it should be possible to do it. Having 5 running 24/7 must eat a good amount of fuel.