31-Jul-07 & 1-Aug-07 17:10 Dub-Athlone

[2Funki4Wheelz]

A frequent user on this service told me that this 'forgot' to stop at Monasterevan yesterday (31st July) and that when passengers overheard one gentlemen being offered a taxi back by the inspector, they all demanded one. I don't know if they got taxis or not.

Yesterday I got off work early, which always causes a train to be late just to thwart me. The horribly packed slam-door 17:10 didn't board until 17:00, lots of people standing (even up to Portarlington) and was delayed for 20 minutes in Kildare and briefly in Monasterevan, reaching Portarlington around 18:30.

No announcement on board at Kildare, an IE official in an orange vest (the behind the yellow line man :eek: ) was having conversations with all the smokers who hopped off and were standing on the platform in Kildare but I never heard anything about the delay.

Anyone know what's in the big heavy leather bag these guys haul around?

[Mark Gleeson]

A frequent user on this service told me that this 'forgot' to stop at Monasterevan yesterday (31st July) and that when passengers overheard one gentlemen being offered a taxi back by the inspector, they all demanded one. I don't know if they got taxis or not. I always wonder why no passenger ever pulls the communication cord or infact that the guard does his job, if a train fails to stop as booked at a station the guard is meant to assume the train is out of control and pull the brake valve

Anyone know what's in the big heavy leather bag these guys haul around?

1. Working timetable, green cover A4, about an inch thick
2. 1 Red flag
3. 1 Green flag
4. 1 hand lamp
5. Copy of the IE/NIR common rule book 2001 ed
6. At least 10 detonators
7. IE combined security/carraige key
8. A whistle (guards only)
9. All applicable notices

Its actually a lot of stuff

[markpb]

6. At least 10 detonators

I have to ask.... :)

[Mark Gleeson]

I have to ask.... :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detonator_(railway)

[markpb]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detonator_(railway)

That's much less interesting. I had images of Irish Rail staff going to a derailed train, using their detonators to remove debris and rubble and running to the rescue of grateful passengers ;)

[bigjim]

That's much less interesting. I had images of Irish Rail staff going to a derailed train, using their detonators to remove debris and rubble and running to the rescue of grateful passengers ;)

The union rules would prevent them performing such heroics. Health and safety issues and that.