[2-1-2016] Carrick on Shannon longford flooded again - bus transfers in place

[ThomasJ]

So Irish rail has tweeted that the Carrick on Shannon to longford stretch on the Sligo line is flooded again.

Here's hoping that there are not too many railcars trapped on the Sligo side and this is not as long as the last bout of flooding

[Jamie2k9]

So we will see on Monday if the 2-3 days warning that water levels along the Shannon would rise was enough for them to bother moving sets. Also a set in Rosslare while not impossible to move to Dublin if they line doesn't reopen by Monday but not something IE will do unless necessary.

[Mark Gleeson]

Rosslare isn't a big issue, as the sets can be routed back to Dublin via Waterford, as has been done in the past.

Should only be 2 sets at most in Rosslare.

Even if the water level drops the signalling equipment at Enniscorthy is probably wrecked

[ThomasJ]

Any idea mark? How many railcars might there be carrick-on-shannon Sligo?

[Jamie2k9]

Only 2 or 3 in Sligo and 2 in Rosslare, either IE moved some out of Sligo or just reduced capacity for the week in it.

[Jamie2k9]

Just 2 in Sligo to keep that end going IE moved the rest before they closed the line. Good to see it this time and they are hoping for Rosslare to open tomorrow (update lather). Wonder will the 05.45 (ex Sligo) service depart Longford on time again this time round...

[James Howard]

It sounds like they were much more proactive this time - the tweet said that the line was closed due to rising water levels rather than flooding. The bus transfer arrangement for the 0545 worked very well last time so let's hope they continue that - the only issue was that it was a bit overcrowded.

It's a good thing that the 16:00 down train is finishing up on the new timetable. It must be about a month since they've run it between the flooding and Christmas alterations.

[ThomasJ]

Irish rail just tweeted that there will be reduced capacity due to sets stranded in Sligo.

[James Howard]

The difference between operations this week and pre-Christmas is like night and day. The main commuter trains I've taken have been within 10 minutes of on-time and there is no shortage of capacity. I think a lot of people are being scared off because traffic on the 0545 from Sligo is exceptionally light. It is probably a bit different if you're relying on trains that are waiting for bus transfers.

It just shows that with a bit of planning they can get things right. I get the impression that they canceled operations when the waters started rising again and before it got flooded to make sure that the trains that got stranded were what was needed to operate the Sligo side of the flood.

[berneyarms]

The difference between operations this week and pre-Christmas is like night and day. The main commuter trains I've taken have been within 10 minutes of on-time and there is no shortage of capacity. I think a lot of people are being scared off because traffic on the 0545 from Sligo is exceptionally light. It is probably a bit different if you're relying on trains that are waiting for bus transfers.

It just shows that with a bit of planning they can get things right. I get the impression that they canceled operations when the waters started rising again and before it got flooded to make sure that the trains that got stranded were what was needed to operate the Sligo side of the flood.

It sounded like the line was closed after the 07:00 and 09:00 trains from Sligo had passed the flooded areas.

That would have just left the set for the 11:00, and the extra set that lays over until Sunday in Sligo.

Hence the capacity situation would be vastly improved with an extra three sets on the Dublin side compared with the last time.

[Jamie2k9]

Services resume from Sligo with the 07.00 tomorrow morning, 05.45 operating as it did during closure for tomorrow.

[James Howard]

It is going to take a while to recover from the mess before Christmas going by the number of cars parked at Edgeworthstown this morning. There was well under half the usual amount there for the 0545 from Sligo. Last week I had a bay of 4 seats to myself all the way to Connolly on the 0545 for two trips out of three. I could get used to this but I don't think Irish rail can.

The management of the issue during the second closure has been exemplary. With the exception of the cancellation of the 16:00 down and the last up-train, disruption for peak trains has been pretty minimal. Even the 19:05 down was exactly on time when I took it during week which is a first - it is normally close to 10 minutes late with no disruption.

I'd say that passengers beyond Longford might feel somewhat differently but that can't really be helped.

[Jamie2k9]

Usually a notable dip in January and into mid February before numbers go back up.

Important thing is the second approch is the first the next time it happens.