View Full Version : Cork Area Services
Mark Gleeson
31-03-2008, 14:04
It appears there are major problems in Cork due to a lack of serviceable trains. Several trains have been cancelled as a result on the Cobh line.
Nothing on the Irish Rail site.
If we get details of further cancellations we will update
Mark Gleeson
03-04-2008, 15:26
Due to a massive shortage of railcars in Cork a large number of trains have been cancelled, of course no one is saying anything in IE about it
Morning
The 7:00 and 8:30 Cork Cobh and the 7:30 and 9:00 Cobh
Evening
The 16:30, 17:30 and 18:30 Cork Cobh and the 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00 Cobh Cork
These cancellations are expected to continue for some time
The Mk3 citygold coach set used as a standby for Cork Dublin is now running Tralee - Mallow to substitute for the missing railcars, this however leaves Cork Dublin services at risk
Buses are on standby in Mallow since a 2 coach railcar is not able to take the load where a 4 coach is normally used
The 19:30, 20:30 Cork Cobh and 20:00 and 21:00 Cobh Cork and the 5:35 Cork Millstreet remain cancelled as a result of the ongoing issues in Irish Rail, again no notice to that effect on the IE site
Thomas Ralph
03-04-2008, 18:50
Are the railcars dead or have they been transferred up the country?
Mark Gleeson
03-04-2008, 18:54
2 up country, gearbox related issues
1 in Cork not mobile
1 in Cork mobile but short an engine
Mark Gleeson
04-04-2008, 16:36
If things couldn't get any worse
Track Improvement Works - Cork/Cobh - Mon 7th - Fri 11th April 2008 by Corporate Communications
Due to Track Improvement Works on the Cork/Cobh from Mon 7th to Fri 11th April 2008 the following services will be substituted by buses:
Please note a 15/20 minute delay may occur
10.00 Cork/Cobh
11.00 Cork/Cobh
12.00 Cork/Cobh
13.00 Cork/Cobh
14.00 Cork/Cobh
15.00 Cork/Cobh
10.30 Cobh/Cork
11.30 Cobh/Cork
12.30 Cobh/Cork
13.30 Cobh/Cork
14.30 Cobh/Cork
15.30 Cobh/Cork
Iarnrod Eireann apologises for any inconvenience caused.
This is expected to continue for a number of weeks
Mark Gleeson
18-04-2008, 17:24
Things get worse
Cork/Cobh line closed, bus transfers in operation until further notice by Corporate Communications
Due to subsidence on the Cork-Cobh line services will be suspended until further notice.
Bus transfers are in operation.
Iarnród Éireann apologises for any inconvenience caused
Mark Gleeson
18-04-2008, 19:56
Update Cork/Cobh services will resume from 21 30, bus transfers will be in operation until 21 30 by Corporate Communications
Due to subsidence on the Cork-Cobh line services will be suspended until further notice.
Bus transfers are in operation.
Iarnród Éireann apologises for any inconvenience caused
Should of course point out the 19:30 and 20:30 trains are nearly always buses anway
Mark Gleeson
25-04-2008, 13:41
A 6 coach push pull set is now based in Cork which somewhat resolves the situation.
Its back to front from operational reasons, so the engine faces Dublin instead of Cobh
Thomas Ralph
25-04-2008, 19:17
Is that a Mk3? And I didn't think some of the platforms (Fota and Carrigaloe come to mind) could handle that length of a train.
Cork area service disruptions, Thursday 22nd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 11.55hrs, Thursday 22nd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters has potential to cause disruption to rail services in the Cork area.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster this morning, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Services currently affected are:
- 11.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 12.00hrs Cork to Mallow
Bus transfers are arranged for these trains.
Regrettably, there is the potential for further significant disruption on other services to and from Cork. All other rail services are unaffected.
Full updated service information is available at www.irishrail.ie or 1850 366 222. Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=379
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 11:15
Irish Rail don't have agreement on the supervision of trainee drivers, someone foolishly in the company seems to want to cause trouble instead of minimising it
The arrangement that is being pushed is the senior driver is responsible for everything while the trainee is driving, doesn't appear to be 100% fair now does it
seems foolish to start this arrangement before aggreement was made, was progress on this issue not being made?
Also given the impact the original issue was having on other services what is the chance it could spread?
It doesn't seem fair
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 11:43
Situation is that they tried to do some training in Cork this morning, this is voluntary anyway it appears, guy said no to taking the train out the issue seems to come before even the mentoring thing, he sent home, other guy in Dublin won't come back down until the first guy is back in work.
With the exception of the 11:00 all Dublin Cork seems to be ok
Seems pretty stupid then for IE to brag that this could cause significant disruption to cork services.
If it is voluntary for the driver to do the training, why refuse to take the train out. Why just say no to the training?
updated
Cork area service disruptions, Thursday 22nd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 12.45hrs, Thursday 22nd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters has potential to cause disruption to rail services in the Cork area.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster this morning, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Services currently affected are:
- 11.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 13.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- Cork commuter services (Cork/Cobh, Cork/Mallow)
Bus transfers are being arranged for affected services.
The 12.00hrs Heuston to Cork operated; the 13.00hrs Heuston to Cork will operate to Mallow only, with bus transfers from Mallow to Cork.
Regrettably, there is the potential for further significant disruption on other services to and from Cork. All other rail services are unaffected.
Full updated service information is available at www.irishrail.ie or 1850 366 222. Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
updated again, does not look good
Cork & Kerry area service disruptions, Thursday 22nd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 13.15hrs, Thursday 22nd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters has potential to cause disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster this morning, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Services currently affected are:
- 11.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 13.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- Cork commuter services (Cork/Cobh, Cork/Mallow)
The 12.00hrs Heuston to Cork operated normally; the 13.00hrs Heuston to Cork will operate to Mallow only, with bus transfers from Mallow to Cork.
Regrettably, there is the potential for further significant disruption on other services to and from Cork and Kerry.
The following services are likely to be cancelled:
13.30hrs, 14.30hrs, 15.30hrs, 16.30hrs, 17.30hrs Cork to Heuston services
18.00hrs, 19.00hrs, 20.00hrs, 21.00hrs Heuston to Cork services
18.30hrs Heuston to Tralee
The following services are expected to operate, to and from Mallow only. Bus transfers will operate between Mallow and Cork.
14.00hrs, 15.00hrs, 16.00hrs 17.00hrs Heuston to Cork services 18.30hrs, 19.30hrs and 20.30hrs Cork to Heuston services
All other rail services on other routes are unaffected.
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 12:35
A total of 6 Cork based staff have been struck off the payroll, that will increase steadily
Effectively there are no services into or out of Cork
The issue at hand is management asked to the pilot driver in Cork to take out a train with trainee drivers. Driver refused on the grounds that as pilot he operates only within Cork station
Heuston should be fun tonight!
The media don't seem to be covering much.
Is there bus transfers planned for the cancelled services?
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 12:55
Doesn't suprise me that the whole thing just happened too late for the 1pm news
Buses provided, however they aren't enough of them and the budget to pay for them has been exhausted
This isn't good at all. What are the chances of this happening tomorrow morning.
On a personal note, my father is flying out of Dublin tomorrow afternoon and hoping to get the 10:30 train out of Cork.
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 13:43
10:30 out of Cork is a Dublin driver, drives the 7:00 to Cork then the 10:30 back
It looks like this is going to be a real mess but you really have to question the sanity of IE management since they knew the outcome of their actions would result in a serious number of cancellations
Bear in mind Irish Rail management are now in breach of their obligations to provide a public transport service and also are in multiple breaches of the service level agreements
Would a Dublin driver "cross the picketline" of cork drivers by driving the train all the way into cork?
Update
Cork & Kerry area service disruptions, Thursday 22nd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 14.40hrs, Thursday 22nd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters has potential to cause disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster this morning, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Services which are not operating are:
- 11.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 13.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 14.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 15.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 16.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 17.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 18.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 18.30hrs Heuston to Cork
- 19.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 20.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 21.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- Cork commuter services (Cork/Cobh, Cork/Mallow)
Iarnród Éireann is endeavouring to provide bus transfers for customers on affected services.
The following services are expected to operate, to and from Mallow only. Bus transfers will operate between Mallow and Cork.
14.00hrs, 15.00hrs, 16.00hrs 17.00hrs Heuston to Cork services 18.30hrs, 19.30hrs and 20.30hrs Cork to Heuston services
All other rail services on other routes are unaffected.
Full updated service information will be updated on this website. Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 13:48
There ain't no picket line, no strike, the problem in Cork is there won't be a driver to move the train around when it arrives, the pilot driver was the first to be sent home
From breakingnews.ie
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhgbmhaugbgb/
Rail dispute hits thousands of passengers
22/05/2008 - 14:39:55
Travel plans of thousands of rail passengers were disrupted following the cancellation of the Cork-Dublin services due to industrial action by train drivers.
All trains from Kent Station in Cork to Dublin were cancelled until 5.30pm this evening with further disruption expected later.
Dublin to Cork services were cancelled from 6pm.
The 6.30 Dublin to Tralee train was also cancelled and Cork commuter routes were affected.
Iarnród Eireann has warned that it would not be able to provide bus transfers to accommodate all passengers.
The dispute centres on drivers rosters.
RTE seems to have Made a mess of this note the area highlighted. (not mentioned on irish rail website)
Cork rail services disrupted
Thursday, 22 May 2008 15:35
Iarnród Éireann has said that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters may cause disruption to rail services in the Cork area.
The company said a driver refused to drive his train this morning, to facilitate training of new drivers.
Services not operating:
11.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 13.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 14.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 15.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 16.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 17.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 18.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 18.30hrs Heuston to Cork
- 19.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 20.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 21.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- Cork commuter services (Cork/Cobh, Cork/Mallow)
Iarnród Éireann is hoping to provide bus transfers for customers on affected services.
The following services are expected to operate, to and from Mallow only with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork:
- 14.00hrs
- 15.00hrs
- 16.00hrs
- 17.00hrs
Heuston to Cork services:
18.30hrs
19.30hrs
Cork to Heuston services:
20.30hrs
All other rail services on other routes are unaffected.
Full updated service information will be updated on the Iarnród Éireann website.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0522/rail.html
Update on my father. He was actually going to go from Dublin from Mallow, hoping to get the train that leaves Cork at 10:30. He called up the station in Mallow about 20 minutes ago, not knowing what was going on, to buy a ticket for tomorrow. He was advised not to buy it and keep an eye on the news tonight and in the morning.
With a flight a 4pm, its really a catch 22 tomorrow morning. Because he will have to make the decision to drive at about 8:30 tomorrow morning.
Iarnród Eireann has warned that it would not be able to provide bus transfers to accommodate all passengers.
It goes to show that for all the issues in which it resulted in bus transfers costing the company dearly that an agreement with Bus Eireann might help IE.
Update on RTE Website:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0522/rail.html
Cork rail services disrupted
Thursday, 22 May 2008 16:04
Train services between Dublin and Cork have been cancelled because of a dispute between Iarnród Éireann and its train drivers.
Iarnród Éireann said drivers have refused to work their rosters, after one of them refused to facilitate training of new drivers.
The company has cancelled six Dublin to Cork services and five Cork to Dublin services.
Cork commuter services to Cobh and Mallow are also not operating.
Iarnród Éireann said it was trying to provide bus services for customers on affected services.
Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny says the company is pessimistic about the dispute being resolved in the short term and services are likely to be affected again tomorrow.
Services not operating today:
- 11.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 13.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 14.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 15.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 16.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 17.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 18.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 18.30hrs Heuston to Cork
- 19.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 20.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 21.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- Cork commuter services (Cork/Cobh, Cork/Mallow)
Iarnród Éireann is hoping to provide bus transfers for customers on affected services.
The following services are expected to operate, to and from Mallow only with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork:
- 14.00hrs
- 15.00hrs
- 16.00hrs
- 17.00hrs
Heuston to Cork services:
18.30hrs
19.30hrs
Cork to Heuston services:
20.30hrs
All other rail services on other routes are unaffected.
Full updated service information will be updated on the Iarnród Éireann website.
RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external websites
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 15:36
As of Friday May 23rd there is likely to be widespread cancellations
Services may run in the morning and then disappear, if you are looking to travel tomorrow, travel early or make alternative arrangements asap
All services Cork area and most Cork Dublin cancelled
All services Heuston likely to cancelled
All services Galway likely to cancelled
DART services are also at risk
Linked to the Cork situation Mark?
How come DARTs?
Updated
Cork & Kerry area service disruptions, Thursday 22nd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 16,50hrs, Thursday 22nd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters is causing disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster this morning, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Services which are not operating are:
- 11.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 13.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 14.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 15.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 16.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 17.30hrs Cork to Heuston
- 18.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 18.30hrs Heuston to Tralee
- 19.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 20.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- 21.00hrs Heuston to Cork
- Cork commuter services (Cork/Cobh, Cork/Mallow)
Iarnród Éireann is endeavouring to provide bus transfers for customers on affected services.
The following services are expected to operate, to and from Mallow only. Bus transfers will operate between Mallow and Cork.
14.00hrs, 15.00hrs, 16.00hrs 17.00hrs Heuston to Cork services
18.30hrs, 19.30hrs and 20.30hrs Cork to Heuston services
All other rail services on other routes are unaffected.
Friday 23rd May: Service information will be updated for Friday 23rd May as soon as it becomes available. However, Iarnróed Éireann regrets that it is expected that significant disruption will continue into tomorrow.
Full updated service information will be updated on this website. Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 16:24
Well be fairly sure there won't be a 5:15 or 6:30 out of Cork tomorrow
craigybagel
22-05-2008, 16:31
Im at Heuston now was meant to be going down to Cork on the 1800 didnt know anything about the problems till i got here and read a small notice on the display board, though there are also announcements every 10 minutes or so. Killarney, Farranfore and Tralee passengers were being sent to Limerick on the 1725 for bus transfer, now that its gone they and people for every where else south of Thurles are being put on the 1835 to Thurles, with bus connections from there. Its going to be a long evening.
Luckily the staff at the info desk do have a ready supply of refund forms.
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 16:36
Anyone with a reservation is entitled to a full refund if any part of the journey requires a bus
There are no trains south of Thurles, 18:35 last train beyond Portarlington
is it CTC boys going out on the picket or drivers ?
where's my old ILDA t-shirt ?
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 18:57
There shall be no picket
All drivers who have not been struck off the payroll are reporting for work as normal
At this point few if any trains country wide are likely to operate tomorrow
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 19:17
You got to admire the confidence that there will be a service tomorrow morning. There won't be any train turning a wheel in Cork station tomorrow
Cork & Kerry area service disruptions, Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 19.30hrs, Thursday 22nd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters is causing significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster this morning, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Friday 23rd May
It is expected that service disruption will continue on Friday 23rd May.
While exact details will be confirmed in the morning, it is likely that all services from Cork to Heuston up to and including the 09.30hrs Cork to Heuston service will be cancelled.
10.30hrs and 11.30hrs Cork to Heuston are expected to operate from Mallow only, with bus transfers from Cork to Mallow.
The 07.00hrs and 08.00hrs Heuston to Cork are likely to operate to Mallow only, with bus transfers from Mallow to Cork. The remainder of morning services are expected to be cancelled.
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow commuter services are expected to be cancelled, and customers are advised to make alternative arrangements.
Some Cork/Tralee services are expected to be cancelled, with others operating between Tralee and Mallow only.
Mickey H
22-05-2008, 20:06
I demand proof of your ridiculous claim of no trains running at all tomorrow. As far as I can see RUI are making this up to make Irish Rail look bad (worse)
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 20:40
There will be no trains in Cork tomorrow morning, the bulk of the driving staff has been removed from the payroll or will be by tomorrow morning.
We have been informed by various trustworthy sources that services elsewhere are at serious risk of vanishing, including DART services. We understand that the various depots country wide are debating what will happen tomorrow.
We won't know until between 9 am and 11 am if things are going to be bad or not, the morning rush may escape. However there is very real chance that there will a partial if not total suspension of service on several routes. Whichever way it goes there will not be a full timetabled service tomorrow given the ongoing shortage of drivers.
Given we have this information and believe it to be accurate we have an obligation to pass it on. We are being upfront, the least we can expect from Irish Rail is admission that there is a real risk to all services and that you should check before you travel.
There could of course be a magic two in the morning development as happened so many times, the usual rules apply check before you travel.
Mark Hennessy
22-05-2008, 20:46
I demand proof of your ridiculous claim of no trains running at all tomorrow. As far as I can see RUI are making this up to make Irish Rail look bad (worse)
Seriously before you accuse us of scaremongering take a look at the recent list of cencellations. Most have a post by Mark at least 24 hours in advance of said cancelation. We aren't making this up, OK!
Are the Enterprise staff sufficiently far removed from this debacle to run a full service tomorrow? Need to travel down tomorrow and haven't decided what train to take yet.
Mark Gleeson
22-05-2008, 21:20
Trains staffed by NIR drivers should run normally, so first two enterprises Belfast Dublin should run.
Mark Hennessy
23-05-2008, 04:35
Updates as of 5am
Cork, Kerry, Galway & Athlone area service disruptions, Friday 23rd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 05.00hrs, Friday 23rd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters is causing significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
In addition, early services from Galway and Athlone are also affected this morning.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Friday 23rd May
It is expected that service disruption will continue today in Cork on Friday 23rd May.
Cancelled services this morning:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
08.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
08.50 Cork-Tralee
05.20 Galway-Heuston
05.05 Athlone-Heuston
Further details will be updated as soon as possible.
10.30hrs and 11.30hrs Cork to Heuston are expected to operate from Mallow only, with bus transfers from Cork to Mallow.
The 07.00hrs and 08.00hrs Heuston to Cork are likely to operate to Mallow only, with bus transfers from Mallow to Cork. The remainder of morning services are expected to be cancelled.
Some Cork/Tralee services are expected to be cancelled, with others operating between Tralee and Mallow only.
Further disruption is possible on Galway and Athlone services.
Mark Hennessy
23-05-2008, 05:06
Galway services seem to be affected today.
Thankfully nothing else affected yet.
Cork, Kerry, Galway & Athlone area service disruptions, Friday 23rd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 06.00hrs, Friday 23rd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters is causing significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
In addition, early services from Galway and Athlone are also affected this morning.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Friday 23rd May
Cancelled services this morning:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
08.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
05.25 Tralee-Cork
08.50 Cork-Tralee
05.20 Galway-Heuston
05.05 Athlone-Heuston
Further details will be updated as soon as possible.
Services operating between Dublin and Mallow (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
07.00hrs Heuston to Cork
08.00hrs Heuston to Cork
10.30hrs Cork to Heuston
11.30hrs Cork to Heuston
Further disruption
Further disruption is possible on Galway and Athlone services (also affecting Westport), and will be updated as soon as available.
Disruption is expected to continue in Cork throughout the day, with commuter services remaining suspended; many Cork/Dublin and Cork/Tralee services cancelled, and other services operating between Dublin and Mallow only.
All other routes are operating normally.
Thomas Ralph
23-05-2008, 06:13
Update at 6:45
Friday 23rd May
Cancelled services this morning:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
08.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
05.25 Tralee-Cork
08.50 Cork-Tralee
05.20 Galway-Heuston
05.05 Athlone-Heuston
07.05 Athlone-Galway
07.15 Galway-Heuston
07.00 Westport-Heuston
Further details will be updated as soon as possible.
Services operating between Dublin and Mallow (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
07.00hrs Heuston to Cork
08.00hrs Heuston to Cork
10.30hrs Cork to Heuston
11.30hrs Cork to Heuston
Further disruption
Further disruption is likely on Galway, Westport and Athlone services, and will be updated as soon as available.
Disruption is expected to continue in Cork throughout the day, with commuter services remaining suspended; many Cork/Dublin and Cork/Tralee services cancelled, and other services operating between Dublin and Mallow only.
All other routes are operating normally.
I need this like a hole in the bloody head. I have to get to Cork this evening because that's where my flight to the Heineken Cup final is. Well, first stop this morning is Sandymount station to see if the guy will refund me for my ticket that I advance-purchased.
I demand proof of your ridiculous claim of no trains running at all tomorrow. As far as I can see RUI are making this up to make Irish Rail look bad (worse)
To be honest, the people here seem to be on the ball. This topic was covered in the Cork Area Services thread yesterday and all the information was correct.
Did management actually ask them to do something unreasonable?
Or, is it another hissy fit ?
Mark Hennessy
23-05-2008, 07:04
Did management actually ask them to do something unreasonable?
Or, is it another hissy fit ?
I don't want to defend the unions (ever) because their work practices are not really helping but this was all avoidable.
The real problem is that the only people who suffer in all of this is us, the customers.
The 10:30 from Cork will be departing Mallow at 10:50. What is the likelyhood of this train being delayed into Heuston, due to arrive at 13:20. Any info would really be appreciated.
Mark Gleeson
23-05-2008, 07:46
Just about everything Galway & Westport Dublin will be cancelled, small chance a number of trains may run only Dublin Athlone, possibly Dublin Galway Dublin.
15:00, 16:00 and 17:00 Dublin Mallow likely as are the 18:30,19:30,20:30 Cork Dublin but from Mallow only
Expect the 17:00 Dublin Mallow to be the last train south of Thurles tonight
10:30 ex Cork runs from Mallow and is likely to be on time
My Father is in Mallow. The southbound train has arrived. He was telling me that everyone is really nervous and rumours are crazy around the platform. He is confident it will run, albeit the rumours are making him anxious.
One of the rumours he heard, which is complete heresay, is the driver will return to Dublin but will refuse to take any passengers.
Donal Quinn
23-05-2008, 08:47
looking at booking bus tickets but want to wait until last minute - any idea when we'll know about evening trains to galway???
Mark Gleeson
23-05-2008, 08:50
Highly unlikely any trains to Galway to today all the evening trains are driven by Athlone and Galway drivers
If they are running we will know well in advance since a train would have to work from Athlone to Dublin
From Breaking News
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhgbmhkfcwoj/
More services cancelled as train strike spreads
23/05/2008 - 07:19:51
A strike by Iarnród Éireann train drivers has spread this morning, with services cancelled in many parts of the country.
The company has been forced to abandon morning services from Galway, Athlone and Westport to Heuston Station in Dublin.
This is in addition to the cancellation of all morning services from Cork to Dublin, the early train from Tralee to Cork and all services between Cork and Cobh and Cork and Mallow.
The chaos was triggered yesterday after a driver was removed from the pay roll for refusing to co-operate with the training of new recruits.
Iarnród Éireann also says it cannot guarantee that the strike will not spread further today.
Trade unions have accused the company of deliberately provoking the dispute.
Donal Quinn
23-05-2008, 09:13
thanks for the heads up - i'd feel a right chump wandering around heuston this evening - booked citylink instead - chaos ahead!
The 10:30, originally scheduled to leave Mallow at 10:50 left at 11:15. Not too bad over all I guess.
Mark Gleeson
23-05-2008, 10:54
10:30 is meant to leave at 10:52.
Very much doubt it will be more than 10 minutes late into Dublin
No mention of local services to Kildare.
Am going to the Bruce Springsteen concert and had intended getting the last train at 11pm.
Whats the likeleyhood of them been affected?
Update
Cork, Kerry, Galway, Westport & Athlone area service disruptions, Friday 23rd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 11.40hrs, Friday 23rd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters is causing significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
In addition, services from Galway, Westport and Athlone are also affected today.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Friday 23rd May
Cancelled services today:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
08.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
10.00 Heuston-Cork
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
13.00 Heuston-Cork
18.00 Heuston-Cork
19.00 Heuston-Cork
20.00 Heuston-Cork
21.00 Heuston-Cork
13.30 Cork-Heuston
14.30 Cork-Heuston
15.30 Cork-Heuston
16.30 Cork-Heuston
17.30 Cork-Heuston
07.15 Tralee-Heuston
18.30 Heuston-Tralee
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
All Cork/Tralee services
05.20 Galway-Heuston
05.05 Athlone-Heuston
07.05 Athlone-Galway
07.15 Galway-Heuston
09.15 Galway - Heuston
09.10 Heuston-Galway
11.10 Heuston-Galway
07.00 Westport-Heuston
08.20 Heuston-Westport
12.40 Heuston-Westport
13.10 Westport-Heuston
15.05 Galway-Heuston
Further details will be updated as soon as possible.
Services operating on affected routes are:
07.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
08.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
09.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
10.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
11.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
12.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
14.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
15.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
16.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
1700hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
18.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
19.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
20.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
07.10 Heuston to Galway
10.50 Galway to Heuston
14.35 Heuston to Galway (with bus transfers between Athenry and Galway)
18.05 Galway to Heuston (with bus transfers between Galway and Athenry)
Further disruption
Further disruption is likely on Galway, Westport and Athlone services, and will be updated as soon as available.
All other routes are operating normally.
Mark Gleeson
23-05-2008, 11:38
I'm told Today FM lunchtime news at 12:45 could be interesting
RadarControl
23-05-2008, 11:53
I presume Limerick trains via Limerick Jct are affected as well. Or are the bus transfers from Dublin\Mallow stopping at the Jct to drop passengers off to get train to\from Limerick?
Mark Gleeson
23-05-2008, 12:00
All services Dublin Limerick direct are running
Where a train runs Mallow Dublin or Dublin Mallow the usual connection at Limerick junction is still there
14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00 Dublin Cork are running only to Mallow, connections at Limerick Junction still in place
17:30, 18:30, 19:30 and 20:30 Cork Dublin run and make the usual connections, but require a bus from Cork to Mallow and may be 10-15 minutes late as a result
Anyone on a cancelled Dublin Cork train looking for Limerick will be stuck on the next Limerick direct service. 13:25, 15:25, 17:05 and 17:25, I wouldn't be surprised if Cork passengers where brought to Thurles by rail first and bus on
did anything come out of the today fm programme i missed it.
Mark Gleeson
23-05-2008, 12:19
Nothing really
Drivers are willing and standing by to return to work if their colleague is reinstated if no pre conditions are applied to that.
Mark Hennessy
23-05-2008, 12:20
did anything come out of the today fm programme i missed it.
Drivers said they'd go back to work their rostered duties and enter talks with the company with no pre-conditions.
Ball in Irish Rail management's court now I believe.
I hope this resolves the issue.
updated
Cork, Kerry, Galway, Westport & Athlone area service disruptions, Friday 23rd May, industrial action by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 15.15hrs, Friday 23rd May
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters is causing significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
In addition, services from Galway, Westport and Athlone are also affected today.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Friday 23rd May
Cancelled services today:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
08.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
10.00 Heuston-Cork
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
13.00 Heuston-Cork
18.00 Heuston-Cork
19.00 Heuston-Cork
20.00 Heuston-Cork
21.00 Heuston-Cork
13.30 Cork-Heuston
14.30 Cork-Heuston
15.30 Cork-Heuston
16.30 Cork-Heuston
17.30 Cork-Heuston
07.15 Tralee-Heuston
18.30 Heuston-Tralee
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
All Cork/Tralee services
05.20 Galway-Heuston
05.05 Athlone-Heuston
07.05 Athlone-Galway
07.15 Galway-Heuston
09.15 Galway - Heuston
09.10 Heuston-Galway
11.10 Heuston-Galway
16.50 Heuston-Galway
17.50 Heuston-Galway
19.15 Heuston-Galway
07.00 Westport-Heuston
08.20 Heuston-Westport
12.40 Heuston-Westport
13.10 Westport-Heuston
16.15 Heuston-Ballina
17.10 Heuston to Athlone
17.45 Heuston-Westport
18.05 Westport-Heuston
13.10 Galway-Heuston
15.05 Galway-Heuston
Services operating on affected routes are:
07.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
08.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
09.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
10.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
11.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
12.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
14.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
15.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
16.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
17.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
18.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
19.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
20.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
07.10 Heuston to Galway
10.50 Galway to Heuston
14.35 Heuston to Galway
18.05 Galway to Heuston
All other routes are operating normally
Peter FitzPatrick
23-05-2008, 16:21
I'm on the 11.10 to Galway tomorrow morning along with 15 others !
Any chance of it running do ye think ?
I demand proof of your ridiculous claim of no trains running at all tomorrow. As far as I can see RUI are making this up to make Irish Rail look bad (worse)What was that again?
craigybagel
23-05-2008, 20:37
Anyone with a reservation is entitled to a full refund if any part of the journey requires a bus
There are no trains south of Thurles, 18:35 last train beyond Portarlington
Didnt have a reservation but do have a refund form so we'll see what happens. Arrived in cork at 10pm so should be entitled to 50%? no announcements about refunds ever made mind. In fairness things at Thurles were handled very well with buses waiting outside for Cork and Mallow, and an extra train from Limerick to take Limerick and Kerry passengers.
Coming back today on the 1230 was a bus to Mallow and then a 22000 only calling at Portlaoise so only 10 minutes late into Heuston.
Derek Wheeler
23-05-2008, 22:12
If I may....
I think Mark Gleeson was careless to suggest widespread cancellations. I am still privy to "insider" information and as early as yesterday morning, Inchicore and Connolly drivers were refusing to support the dispute. (APPARENTLY) When I was part of the set up, rule number one for me was, never say or suggest in public what you have been told in private by one side of the dispute, until it can be verified by subsequent actions. Its great to be the first with news, but it has to be delivered in a manner that is beneficial and credible. This announcement did look like scaremoungering. (in my opinion)
In fairness this issue is vastly different and has bigger implications, than any previous claim by RUI to be beating IE to the announcement finishing line.
For what its worth now, Western based drivers may be back at work sooner than we think. This strike is unlikely to go nationwide and thats another story altogether.
For now, my suggestion would be to call on the Minister for Transport to launch an independent inquiry into the industrial relations practises within Irish Rail. The results should be made public and include in dept examination of management's performance in dealing with disputes. We have heard argument and counter argument. Tom Stamp described it well today on Radio 1, as "two bald men arguing over a comb". Full transparency is urgently required in the interest of rail customers and the company itself. Particularly in an era of supposed investment. That would be my line in the media.
Colm Donoghue
23-05-2008, 23:10
"Cork, Kerry, Galway, Westport & Athlone area service disruptions" is what IE say
"As of Friday May 23rd there is likely to be widespread cancellations
Services may run in the morning and then disappear, if you are looking to travel tomorrow, travel early or make alternative arrangements asap
All services Cork area and most Cork Dublin cancelled
All services Heuston likely to cancelled
All services Galway likely to cancelled
DART services are also at risk" is what we said. and there were Widespread Cancelations.
I do not think it would be a good idea to tell members that there would be no disruption to services on Friday if we were in possesion of reliable information on Thursday night that there *may* be considerable disruption to services outside the Cork area. Which there was, and people intending to travel may have been spared a wasted trip to their local station to avail of a cancelled service by being aware of the need to check before they travel.
Cork to Mayo *is* nationwide. ask Michael Ryan or Mary Kennedy. ;)
Mark Gleeson
23-05-2008, 23:55
Last night was a point of decision for the various depots country wide, Cork Galway, Athlone and Westport showed up but walked out
We never said service would be cancelled except in Cork, we said cancellations where likely, Irish Rail provided no notification that services beyond Dublin Cork/Kerry where at risk, its hard to believe they didn't know
As things played out the Cork area saw one train Tralee - Mallow - Tralee, everything on the Galway route bar two trains was cancelled and everything on the Westport line was cancelled. Numerous trains ex Heuston where cancelled as a result
As we said services country wide where at risk, 4 out of 8 intercity routes where effected, staff in Dublin decided not to follow their colleagues elsewhere for which every passenger is most grateful. On Thursday evening there was a real possibilty of no trains running anywhere on Friday
As it stands the current situation is likely to continue. The labour court has contacted both sides. The drivers are available to drive if there are no preconditions to returning to work
Massive disruption to Cork (feck all running past Mallow), mass cancellations on Mayo and Galway services, looks like Marko got it bang on the money - as usual. No surprises there.
For now, my suggestion would be to call on the Minister for Transport to launch an independent inquiry into the industrial relations practises within Irish Rail. The results should be made public and include in dept examination of management's performance in dealing with disputes. We have heard argument and counter argument. Tom Stamp described it well today on Radio 1, as "two bald men arguing over a comb". Full transparency is urgently required in the interest of rail customers and the company itself. Particularly in an era of supposed investment. That would be my line in the media.
Sign me up for that. This crap just keeps happening too much for it to be isolated, not just the strikes and work-to-rules, but the lack of information provision, the customer service people that just don't care (like that w***er in Maynooth). Clearly a large scale review is now required.
Mark Gleeson
24-05-2008, 07:56
Galway, Athlone and Westport are back working
Cork & Kerry area service disruptions, Saturday 24th May by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 07.00hrs, Saturday 24th May
Iarnród Éireann is pleased to advise customers that all Galway and Westport line services will operate normally today, following yesterday's disruption.
However, a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters continues to cause significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Service disruption, Saturday 24th May
The following services are cancelled.
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
08.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
10.00 Heuston-Cork
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
13.00 Heuston-Cork
13.30 Cork-Heuston
14.30 Cork-Heuston
15.30 Cork-Heuston
16.30 Cork-Heuston
17.30 Cork-Heuston
18.00 Heuston-Cork
19.00 Heuston-Cork
20.00 Heuston-Cork
21.00 Heuston-Cork
07.15 Tralee-Heuston
18.30 Heuston-Tralee
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
All Cork/Tralee services
Services operating on affected routes are:
07.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
08.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
09.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
10.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
11.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
12.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
14.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
15.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
16.00hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
1700hrs Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and between Mallow and Tralee)
18.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
19.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
20.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
All other routes, including Galway and Westport are operating normally.
Mark Hennessy
24-05-2008, 08:43
Galway, Athlone and Westport are back working
Some good news for passengers at least.
The Dept of Transport need to step out of their policy vacuum in Merrion Row and actually start formulation proper service level agreements with Irish Rail.
If a service does not, subvention for that is not paid, simple as.
They should start asking questions about the constant bolshie activity in Cork.
They have to go beyond the usual "internal matter for Irish Rail etc" that they've conveniently used over the years.
Irish Rail management need to be completely removed from the negotiations as we have had two years of going round in circles. If the labour court make recommendations, then both sides need to stick to it.
As for the announcments on Thursday, i've woken up enough times in the past to find that no trains were running.
Derek Wheeler
24-05-2008, 14:08
For what its worth now, Western based drivers may be back at work sooner than we think.
As I said last night.;)
Derek Wheeler
24-05-2008, 21:59
At this point few if any trains country wide are likely to operate tomorrow
Please spare me the damage limitation Colm. I've been there before and its a tough job.;) The above quote said it all and is the one I'm referring too. It was unnecessary and wrong. Perhaps a case of over eagerness instead of a cool head.
As I suggested last night, western drivers went back to work, while Dublin drivers stayed in work. Cork is where the real problem lies.There's lots of "insider" info available, but its best amalgamated to form an accurate assessment. But lets move on and be more positive.
I'll offer this up to readers. Dublin drivers are getting better treatment from IE management on the basis that they have the potential to cause real problems to hundreds of thousands. Western drivers supported Cork on the basis of a nationwide walk out that never happened, so they went back to work. Cork now stands alone. They have been divided and conquered by IE management. An end is in sight, but by numbers rather than real settlement. I have reason to believe that Cork is picked on by IE management, but nationwide there is still poor relations. Thats why I proposed a full inquiry into IE industrial relations proceedures. Morale is low in the Company. Its a time bomb. While I appreciate its historic arrangements and practises over the course of 60 years, management cannot expect to convert the company to "private sector" practises through provocation. What we have here is a classic example of old work ethics and public sector management trying to achieve a private sector result. It doesn't work that way. The Celtic Tiger has endowed a modern corporate way of working on IE management, but they have completely forgotten that it can't be applied by a hammer to a "traditional" industry with a long history.
Colm Moore
24-05-2008, 23:19
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=379 Cork & Kerry area service disruptions, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May: UPDATE by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 18.30hrs, Saturday 24th May
Iarnród Éireann is pleased to advise customers that all Galway and Westport line services are operating normally again, following Friday's disruption.
However, a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters continues to cause significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Service disruption, Saturday 24th May
The following services are cancelled.
17.30 Cork-Heuston
17.00 Heuston-Cork
18.00 Heuston-Cork
19.00 Heuston-Cork
20.00 Heuston-Cork
20.30 Cork-Heuston
21.00 Heuston-Cork
18.30 Heuston-Tralee
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
All Cork/Tralee services
Services operating on affected routes are:
18.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
19.30hrs Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
All other routes, including Galway and Westport are operating normally.
Service outlook, Sunday 25th May
The following services are expected to be cancelled on Sunday 25th May:
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
14.00 Heuston-Cork
15.00 Heuston-Cork
17.00 Heuston-Cork
18.00 Heuston-Cork
19.00 Heuston-Cork
19.10 Heuston-Tralee
21.00 Heuston-Cork
08.30 Cork-Heuston
10.30 Cork-Heuston
12.30 Cork-Heuston
13.45 Tralee-Heuston
14.30 Cork-Heuston
15.30 Cork-Heuston
17.30 Cork-Heuston
18.30 Cork-Heuston
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
All Cork/Tralee services
Services expected to operate are:
08.10 Heuston to Tralee (with bus transfers Mallow to Tralee, and Mallow to Cork)
10.00 Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork,and Mallow to Tralee)
13.00 Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork,and Mallow to Tralee)
16.00 Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork)
13.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
16.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow), and between Tralee and Mallow)
19.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
All other routes will operate normally.
Customers are advised to check this website before travel on Sunday for up to date information.
Mark Gleeson
25-05-2008, 07:37
Something happening in Cork this morning.
8:45 to Cobh
Update: driver there but no train
Colm Moore
25-05-2008, 08:51
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=379
Cork & Kerry area service disruptions, Sunday 25th May: UPDATE by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 01.00hrs, Sunday 25th May
Iarnród Éireann is pleased to advise customers that all Galway and Westport line services are operating normally again, following Friday's disruption.
However, a refusal by drivers based in Cork to work their normal rosters continues to cause significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Service disruption, Sunday 25th May
The following services are cancelled on Sunday 25th May:
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
14.00 Heuston-Cork
15.00 Heuston-Cork
17.00 Heuston-Cork
18.00 Heuston-Cork
19.00 Heuston-Cork
19.10 Heuston-Tralee
21.00 Heuston-Cork
08.30 Cork-Heuston
10.30 Cork-Heuston
12.30 Cork-Heuston
13.45 Tralee-Heuston
14.30 Cork-Heuston
15.30 Cork-Heuston
17.30 Cork-Heuston
18.30 Cork-Heuston
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
All Cork/Tralee services
Services operating on Cork and Kerry routes are:
08.10 Heuston to Tralee (with bus transfers Mallow to Tralee, and Mallow to Cork)
10.00 Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork,and Mallow to Tralee)
13.00 Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork,and Mallow to Tralee)
16.00 Heuston to Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork)
13.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
16.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow), and between Tralee and Mallow)
19.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
All other routes will operate normally.
Customers are advised to check this website before travel on Sunday for up to date information.
Service outlook
As unpredictable as the weather...
Widespread disruption on Friday, dying down to leave a mainly settled picture, with some isolated disruption in the West later on Saturday. Sunday will be a mainly fine day...
Mark Gleeson
25-05-2008, 09:16
Outlook Monday changeable, strong chance of scattered showers
Colm Moore
25-05-2008, 14:01
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0525/rail.htmlTrain drivers to return to work tomorrow
Sunday, 25 May 2008 14:38
Train drivers in Cork, who have been staging unofficial industrial action since Thursday, say they will return to work tomorrow.
The decision follows a meeting of the drivers earlier today, at which they considered their position in relation to the action.
Following the meeting, the drivers issued a statement which reiterates support for their colleague who was removed from the payroll last Thursday for refusing to facilitate training by driving a different train.
In the statement, the drivers accuse the company of acting arbitrarily and of not invoking agreed company trade union procedures.
They also claim the company's approach was 'premeditated and designed to cause a dispute'.
But the drivers say that they have decided to return to work on the basis that continuing with their action would only serve to further discommode the travelling public.
They also say that on their return to work tomorrow, they will work in accordance with current agreements, including the agreed flexibilities proposed by the Labour Relations Commission in March.
17 Intercity train services cancelled
Meanwhile disruption is continuing on Dublin-Cork, Dublin-Kerry and Cork regional train services as a result of unofficial work stoppages.
17 Intercity services, along with all services between Cork and Cobh, Cork and Mallow and Cork and Tralee have been cancelled today.
A limited service involving bus transfers is operating on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Tralee Intercity routes.
Full details are available on the Iarnród Éireann website.
Mark Gleeson
25-05-2008, 14:23
Don't get too excited here
The drivers have always said they would go back to work, Irish Rail refused to let them on Friday
Drivers are willing to work under the LRC proposals issued March 4th. Will Irish Rail management let them work? If they don't its about time questions have to be asked as to the philosophy of a company where its staff are available to work under a LRC proposal that all sides have accepted, but won't let them
http://www.railusers.ie/resources/lrc_march_2008-1.jpg
http://www.railusers.ie/resources/lrc_march_2008-2.jpg
I see we are back to the "Great Loyalty Oath" documents. Isn't that a calm and measured response to the issue. Somewhere Brendan Ogle is giggling.
Don't get too excited here
The drivers have always said they would go back to work, Irish Rail refused to let them on Friday
Drivers are willing to work under the LRC proposals issued March 4th. Will Irish Rail management let them work? If they don't its about time questions have to be asked as to the philosophy of a company where its staff are available to work under a LRC proposal that all sides have accepted, but won't let them
http://www.railusers.ie/resources/lrc_march_2008-1.jpg
http://www.railusers.ie/resources/lrc_march_2008-2.jpg
Walking through Heuston this morning, 1000 and 1100 to Cork were cancelled, the 0900 was being operated by a MkIII set.
Thomas Ralph
26-05-2008, 10:56
I am hearing that some Waterford services are affected too.
ACustomer
26-05-2008, 11:23
Why no update on the IE website? The latest information was put up at 4.45 am (it's now after 12pm).
And why the sympathy with the drivers so evident on this site? Public sector unions (and above all those of the NBRU/ILDA tendency) are a huge obstacle to the development of a high quality, dependable public transport system. Problem is no-one else knows how to drive trains, so one can't sack them. (OK the quality of management is nothing to write home about either, but at least they are not actively sabotaging things)
Thomas J Stamp
26-05-2008, 12:07
Derek has made a vital point above.
10,000 disrupted pax is a big figure, but spread over Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo it will not attract critical mass at any one location to cause massive problems to IE managment and the DoT in Dublin.
You bring out Dublin Surburban and DART for one day and it'll be war.
We understand, filtering through the mix, that it came very very close in relation to Inchicore coming out, needless to say what in actual fact happened was predictable to me in retrospect.
At the end of the day, and I can see Derek's point, what Mark said was actually the same as Barry Kenny and IE's PR department - they could not guarantee any trains running anywhere and they adivsed people to check before traveling.
Anyway......
It is very obvious that industrial relations within IE do not function. Barry Kenny is telling all and sundry that there is "an agreement". Funny, but if there's an agreement, how come so many drivers are not working? Maybe someone didnt tell them what was agreed on their behalf?
Here's the thing. Since those drivers do not belive there is an agreement, IE should at the very least find out why. They have to talk to these guys. If Isreal can talk to Syria, Paisley talk to McGuinness, IE can talk to their staff.
The number one priority has to be "What can I/we do to get trains running and serve our passengers" It is glaringly obvious that this rule wasnt applied last Thursday in Cork. Consequences were either not considered, which is appaling, or they were considered but disregarded, which is shocking and an indictment of Irish Rail Managment.
Someone decided to pull the trigger and to hell with the passengers. Will that person be reprimanded. No. Is that person or his mangager accountable to anyone? No again. Irish Rail are mandated to run a train service, running that service on a day to day basis is their one and only function. If they fail to do that one basic thing they are paid to do - manage a railway company - what sanction is there there to punish them for it?
None.
And that is what is truly wrong with the dysfunctional world of Irish Rail.
Mark Gleeson
26-05-2008, 12:48
Situation in Cork this morning, all drivers showed up and where prevented from driving. Thats a factual statement. A driver elsewhere actually managed to sign on and drove a train into a platform and was just about to leave presumably with passengers when he was stopped and told he was off the payroll
We have a farcical situation of drivers standing around in Cork not allowed drive while passengers suffer. The drivers are willing to work under the LRC proposals which are significantly to the benefit of the company and to the passenger yet they are not allowed.
End of the day 95% of services in Cork could be running within hours if Irish Rail get off their high horse and accept the LRC proposal as a way forward. 95% is a hell of lot better than the 0% in Cork currently.
Irish Rail management are not some wonderful infallible outfit, they did something rather ill advised and look where we are now, Cork has been targeted despite the fact a whole heap of trains where cancelled yesterday through Connolly and again today.
Mark Gleeson
27-05-2008, 21:58
Cork & Kerry, service disruptions, Wednesday 28th May by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 22.45hrs, Tuesday 27th May
Iarnród Éireann regrets to advise customers that significant disruption to rail services in the Cork & Kerry areas is set to continue on Wednesday 28th May.
The stoppage by drivers commenced following a refusal by a Cork-based driver to drive his train within his core roster on Thursday, to facilitate training of new trainee drivers.
Full updated service information will be available on this webpage.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused.
Service disruption, Wednesday 28th May
The following services are expected to be cancelled on Wednesday 28th May:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
13.30 Cork-Heuston
14.30 Cork-Heuston
15.30 Cork-Heuston
16.30 Cork-Heuston
17.30 Cork to Heuston
10.00 Heuston-Cork
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
13.00 Heuston-Cork
18.00 Heuston-Cork
19.00 Heuston-Cork
20.00 Heuston-Cork
21.00 Heuston-Cork
07.15 Tralee-Heuston
18.30 Heuston-Tralee
All Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
All Cork/Tralee services
Services operating on Cork and Kerry routes are:
07.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
08.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork)
09.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
14.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork)
15.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
16.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork)
17.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
10.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
11.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
12.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
18.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
19.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
20.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
Please note bus transfers from Cork and from Tralee depart 30 minutes earlier than scheduled train time.
All other routes will operate normally.
Day 6 no change.
NOTE 1 Irish Rail have abandoned the Cobh line passengers, no buses are being provided. Its not like they didn't get sufficent notice
NOTE 2 Services on the Dublin Sligo, Dublin Gorey lines are at serious risk of cancellation as well so this other routes operating normally is a blatantly misleading, been cancellations Mon and Tues
Well, our company's just decided never to use Irish Rail again. We've had a huge problem all week because of a lack of trains to/from Cork and have now resorted to fly+car hire. We've also just moved from using FastTrack to DHL. It's quite unlikely that we'll be going back.
I really don't care if it's the drivers or the company. At the end of the day the organisation is incapable of getting its house in order and is really hurting passengers and destroying its own reputation.
This is costing businesses a lot of money and it's an absolutely petty dispute.
Frankly, I would think there's an argument for putting the entire Cork operation off the pay roll including the management! This situation is just utterly unacceptable.
Donal Quinn
28-05-2008, 16:48
mark, what do you make of this intepretation that the drivers have of 'of required' to only mean in emergencies
i know IE have brought this upon us in a number of ways but this kind of restrictive practices can't be supported, surely?
Mark Gleeson
28-05-2008, 18:43
The specific case of the pilot driver
1) Operates all empty trains in the station area, in and out of shed etc, this is why Dublin Cork services only go to Mallow as otherwise the Dublin driver doesn't get his full break
2) Will replace another driver in the event of an accident e.g. suicide on line
3) Will drive the rescue locomotive to assist a failed train
4) Will if necessary operate a passenger service to prevent a cancellation
The roster normally includes what is known as a spare link where there is driver on duty with nothing to do but fill in, given the shortage of drivers obviously they don't have one
Its very stupid not have this all written down, but if it has been standard practice for many years and no conflicting proof can be shown it has to be accepted as both sides agreeing.
On Thursday the driver was asked to take out a training train.
Three problems arise:
1) With no pilot in Cork who shunts and tests the Mk4 set from Dublin?
2) Normally a driver is rostered specifically to handle the training
3) The driver involved was not a mentor driver, was not specifically appointed by the company to supervise as they want. Mentor drivers get paid extra but are also fully responsible for those under supervision. The whole selection/payment/responsibility issue has yet to be determined
For several months several Cork Cobh trains have been cancelled and the driver redeployed on to Dublin Cork services, this is the much talked about flexibility Irish Rail talk about, moving to a service of a greater importance. Of course if this continues there won't be any service to Cobh at all. Point to note of course not all drivers are qualified to driver all train types
There is talk Irish Rail will withdraw the letter which started phase two of the trouble if that is the case 95% of services in Cork will resume quickly
Mark Gleeson
28-05-2008, 23:04
Reports tonight indicate a vote is to be taken on a deal tomorrow
http://www.railusers.ie/forum/showpost.php?p=33616&postcount=4
Usual deal in Cork is meeting 11am, there are 40 drivers so in if it goes well we could be back up and running almost fully by evening rush. 95% of trains would be back
There will be a slight delay as there will need to be a train with no passengers Mallow - Cork, Cork - Cobh and Mallow - Tralee to verify the lines clear and safe
Fingers crossed
Colm Moore
29-05-2008, 02:54
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0528/rail.htmlBreakthrough at rail dispute talks
Wednesday, 28 May 2008 22:48
Iarnród Éireann management and unions have agreed settlement proposals that are to be put to the striking drivers in the morning.
It is hoped that if the proposals are accepted, trains on the affected routes may begin operating again as early as tomorrow afternoon.
Talks involving management and unions at Iarnród Éireann, aimed at ending the dispute that has halted Cork rail services, resumed in Mallow earlier this afternoon.
AdvertisementThe talks, which are chaired by the Labour Relations Commission, were adjourned early this morning after overnight negotiations.
Iarnród Éireann and unions did not meet face-to-face to discuss the issues in dispute. Instead facilitator Tom Pomphrett moved between the two sides with settlement proposals.
When the meeting ended there was confusion initially that the talks had broken down, but Iarnród Éireann's John Keenan insisted that the meetings would resume with the assistance of the LRC.
Mr Keenan accused the striking train drivers of pursing a 'narrow, selfish agenda' and said they had abandoned passengers on trains.
The NBRU and SIPTU accused management of not wanting to resolve the dispute which centres on a disagreement between the company and Cork-based train drivers over training.
The disruptions began when a Cork-based driver refused to work his roster last Thursday after being asked to facilitate the instruction of new trainee drivers.
Train services to and from Cork and Kerry have been disrupted for a seventh day due to the dispute.
Passengers intending to travel today should check Iarnród Éireann's website.
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=379
Cork & Kerry, service disruptions, Thursday 28th May by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 21.30hrs, Wednesday 28th May
Talks convened by the Labour Relations Commission to assist a resumption of rail services in Cork and Kerry have concluded this evening in Mallow.
A document has been agreed by both Iarnród Éireann management, and driver trade union representatives from SIPTU and NBRU, to facilitate a return to work by drivers, following disruption to services since last Thursday.
Drivers will meet with trade union representatives tomorrow morning to discuss the document, and should it be accepted, services will begin to resume tomorrow afternoon. Full services would operate from Friday.
The company thanks the LRC for assisting in this process, and sincerely hopes that services can begin to be restored tomorrow afternoon.
Regrettably, services will be disrupted again tomorrow morning, as follows (afternoon and evening service arrangements will be confirmed tomorrow pending the outcome of drivers meeting):
Service disruption, Thursday 29th May
The following services are expected to be cancelled on Thursday 29th May:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
10.00 Heuston-Cork
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
13.00 Heuston-Cork
07.15 Tralee-Heuston
Morning Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
Morning Cork/Tralee services
Services operating on Cork and Kerry routes are:
07.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
08.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork)
09.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
10.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
11.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
12.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
Limerick Customers should note:
Some Services to and from Limerick that connect with Cork services at Limerick Junction may be affected by the cancellations, outlined above. Limerick customers are advised to ring 1850 366 222 or contact their local station before travelling. All direct Limerick services are operating as normal.
Please note bus transfers from Cork and from Tralee depart 30 minutes earlier than scheduled train time.
All other routes will operate normally.
Colm Moore
29-05-2008, 08:55
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=379Cork & Kerry, service disruptions, Thursday 29th May by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 07.30hrs, Thursday 29th May
Talks convened by the Labour Relations Commission to assist a resumption of rail services in Cork and Kerry have concluded yesterday evening in Mallow.
A document has been agreed by both Iarnród Éireann management, and driver trade union representatives from SIPTU and NBRU, to facilitate a return to work by drivers, following disruption to services since last Thursday.
Drivers will meet with trade union representatives today to discuss the document, and should it be accepted, services will begin to resume this afternoon. Full services would operate from Friday.
The company thanks the LRC for assisting in this process, and sincerely hopes that services can begin to be restored later today.
Regrettably, services will be disrupted again this morning, as follows (afternoon and evening service arrangements will be confirmed later pending the outcome of drivers meeting):
Service disruption, Thursday 29th May
The following services are expected to be cancelled on Thursday 29th May:
05.15 Cork-Heuston
06.30 Cork-Heuston
07.30 Cork-Heuston
09.30 Cork-Heuston
10.00 Heuston-Cork
11.00 Heuston-Cork
12.00 Heuston-Cork
13.00 Heuston-Cork
07.15 Tralee-Heuston
Morning Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
Morning Cork/Tralee services
Services operating on Cork and Kerry routes are:
07.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
08.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork)
09.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers Mallow to Cork and Tralee)
10.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
11.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
12.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
Limerick Customers should note:
Some Services to and from Limerick that connect with Cork services at Limerick Junction may be affected by the cancellations, outlined above. Limerick customers are advised to ring 1850 366 222 or contact their local station before travelling. All direct Limerick services are operating as normal.
Please note bus transfers from Cork and from Tralee depart 30 minutes earlier than scheduled train time.
All other routes will operate normally.
Looks like good news!
Update: 14.15hrs Cork & Kerry, service disruptions, Thursday 29th May by Corporate Communications
UPDATE: 14.15hrs, Thursday 29th May
Iarnród Éireann is pleased to announce that Cork & Kerry services are expected to resume on Friday 30th May.
Regrettably,the following services will remain disrupted today, as follows (evening service arrangements will be confirmed later today on this website)
Service disruption, Thursday 29th May
The following services are expected to be cancelled on Thursday 29th May:
13.30 Cork - Heuston
14.30 Cork - Heuston
15.30 Cork - Heuston
16.30 Cork - Heuston
15.30 Cork - Heuston
18.30 Heuston - Tralee
Afternoon Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow services
Afternoon Cork/Tralee services
Services operating on Cork and Kerry routes are:
11.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow)
12.30 Cork to Heuston (with bus transfers between Cork and Mallow, and between Tralee and Mallow)
14.00 Heuston - Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
15.00 Heuston -Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and Mallow and Tralee)
16.00 Heuston-Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork)
17.00 Heuston - Cork (with bus transfers between Mallow and Cork, and Mallow and Tralee)
Limerick Customers should note:
Some Services to and from Limerick that connect with Cork services at Limerick Junction may be affected by the cancellations, outlined above. Limerick customers are advised to ring 1850 366 222 or contact their local station before travelling. All direct Limerick services are operating as normal.
Please note bus transfers from Cork and from Tralee depart 30 minutes earlier than scheduled train time.
All other routes will operate normally.
Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvience caused to customer during these disruptions.
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=379
Donal Quinn
29-05-2008, 14:08
the question is - was this a fudge or have some of the crappy practices on both sides been sorted out?
RTE News
Cork train drivers to return to work
Thursday, 29 May 2008 14:28
The meeting of train drivers at the centre of the dispute in the south has ended.
Union officials said the workers have voted to return to work at a minute past midnight.
But the unions have stated that they were angry at management comments over the past few days, which portrayed them as mavericks.
A meeting convened by the Labour Relations Commission will now take place next Thursday between management and the unions to thrash out the core issues at the centre of this eight-day dispute which caused havoc for more than 100,000 commuters and travellers.
Management at Iarnród Éireann have welcomed the Cork drivers' decision to resume normal services.
Spokesman Barry Kenny said they are delighted that they will be able to restore full services on the Cork and Kerry routes and added that the LRC meeting and the document accepted by both sides, has strengthened the company's ability to provide service continuity in the future for customers.
The meeting at a Cork city centre hotel began shortly after 11am this morning.
Earlier, a letter Irish Rail management demanded drivers sign has been withdrawn.
The letter instructed drivers not to engage in unofficial industrial action.
But the unions said they will commit to working with management to ensure unofficial action does not happen again.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0529/rail.html
the question is - was this a fudge or have some of the crappy practices on both sides been sorted out?
I hope so! Too many times issues like these crop up again and again. Lessons need to be learned. Something needs to come out of the past week, hopefully the talks have done that!
I know its not as black and white as this but isnt it amusing that the drivers complain that they work too many days and that IE havent increased their numbers while refusing to train new drivers?
Mark Gleeson
29-05-2008, 15:06
They changed the training program compared to the one agreed back in 2000. The whole driver mentor thing
Had a driver been rostered specifically for the job on Thursday there would not have been a problem. That was the normal case
A large amount of the training requires the trainees to sit with a driver and simply watch and learn the road thats the biggest part of the training course, however a driver has the right to operate alone, indeed in the UK recently trained drivers are not allowed to have someone with them. The practical drive under supervision is actually a very small part of the job
ACustomer
29-05-2008, 15:37
Two points: the return to normal service does not seem to be exactly a matter of urgency: nothing restored to-day. And this coming from drivers who said a few days ago that they wanted to drive and were being prevented from doing so.
Also "a driver has the right to operate alone". That really made me laugh. Do you mean that hey are unwilling to have a trainee colleague sit alongside and learn the road. Any normal person should love to have someone along to whom they can pass on a few comments. Don't tell me they might be distracted: after all drivers in the UK used to go on strike in defence of double-manning in the (alleged) interest of safety.
There has been far too much mollycoddling of drivers in this descussion.
Mark Gleeson
29-05-2008, 15:44
One of the key causes of accidents is getting confused as to where you are,
Obviously in 99% of cases there isn't a problem to have someone else in the cab once they have the right pass
Since the line Cobh Cork, Cork Mallow and Mallow Tralee haven't seen a train in Thursday last a test train has to run to confirm the line is clear, also several of the trains need to be inspected since they have gone too long without a routine maintenance inspection obviously that can't be done if its not in Cork station, of course Cork was short serviceable trains anyway
There should be something running today, assuming there are trains in the right place to run the service
For Friday the 7:15 Tralee Dublin likely to be canceled or run only from Mallow
dowlingm
29-05-2008, 17:57
As a layman, I can understand why a driver would have to be "type-rated" to a specific train but not why the driver would have to be cleared on a given line. After all, buses can be chartered to anywhere you like without a prior visit, as can aircraft.
I'm sure there's a good reason for it - stuff like acceleration/deceleration profiles so you stop accurately on the platform, who to ring when the LC operator hasn't got out of bed, that sort of thing...
It just seems a lot like Mark Twain's book on apprenticing to be a Mississippi steamboat pilot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_the_Mississippi). I mean, feck there seems to be more automatic guidance in private cars these days with all the GPSes being sold, you'd think Garmin could come up with an equivalent to assist train drivers :)
Mark Gleeson
29-05-2008, 19:29
Friday 30th May
All services on the Cork/Dublin, Tralee/Dublin, Cork/Tralee, Cork/Cobh and Cork/Mallow routes will operate normally except the following services, which are cancelled on Friday 30th May, due to the requirements to move trains into position following this week's disruption:
05.25 Tralee / Mallow
09.15 Tralee / Mallow
06.15 Cork / Tralee
07.45 Cork / Mallow
08.50 Cork / Mallow
08.30 Mallow / Cork
09.00 Mallow / Cork
10.46 Mallow / Cork
Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for the serious disruption to Cork and Kerry services over the past week.
Curiously too many trains in the wrong place
Services resume at 00:01 on Friday May 30th
Mark Gleeson
29-05-2008, 19:46
As a layman, I can understand why a driver would have to be "type-rated" to a specific train but not why the driver would have to be cleared on a given line. After all, buses can be chartered to anywhere you like without a prior visit, as can aircraft.
I'm sure there's a good reason for it - stuff like acceleration/deceleration profiles so you stop accurately on the platform, who to ring when the LC operator hasn't got out of bed, that sort of thing... Location of signals as well as the speed limits, braking points, gradients etc must be learned, its not easy in the pitch black dark at 100mph remember it takes 2km to stop at that kind of speed and you have a target you can't see where you have to be accurate to within 1.5m. Airline pilots are somewhat similar certain difficult airports must be flown by senior captains
Not all Cork drivers are able to drive all trains in Cork which causes some problems when a freight train appears and the guy isn't passed out to drive it
Mark Gleeson
10-06-2008, 14:46
20:00 and 21:00 Dublin Cork only made it to Mallow last night as there was no driver available in Cork to handle the incoming trains
7:00 Cork Cobh and 7:30 Cobh Cork where cancelled this morning
Why do the Cobh service problems not have the users up in arms. Is it due to low patronage? Im just saying that I dont hear much about the cancelled services except from this board.
Mark Gleeson
10-06-2008, 16:21
There are about 450,000 journeys per year
Cancellations are common as services are killed to ensure the Dublin Cork service stays running, this is the flexibility Irish Rail talk about
Rail is the fastest way to Cobh given the layout of the Cork
Mark Hennessy
10-06-2008, 16:48
Presumably Cork-Cobh service fall under the service level agreement between the DOT and Irish Rail?
Makes you wonder why not a single local politician has even raised a peek about this.
If DART's were being canceled like this, there would be war.
Mark Gleeson
10-06-2008, 16:53
Management of course are selling this as the strike, when in fact they are so desperate to keep the Dublin Cork running everything else is sacrificed
Remember this is an operational matter for Irish Rail......
And yes it is in breech of the DOT agreement
Mark Gleeson
11-06-2008, 07:55
Since it hit the paper this morning, we can go public on this.
Two drivers were suspended on Monday, the two drivers chosen were far from random
This explains the issues with the 20:00 and 21:00, though the Cobh changes are different issue
Curiously training train showed up Tuesday and no one was asked to take it out
I assumed that there were two driver pools. One for the Commuter services and one for the intercity services. That would make more sense would it not?
Something drastic either has to be done or is going to happen, again.
So much potential in cork for a decent commuter network. Pity.
Mark Gleeson
11-06-2008, 11:01
Its been brought to our attention that there is some class of weird timetable in use on the Cork Cobh service
The 19:30 Cork Cobh and 20:30 Cork Cobh have been cancelled and a 20:00 Cork Cobh added
The 20:00 Cobh Cork and 21:00 Cobh Cork have been cancelled and a 20:30 Cobh Cork added
As a result Irish Rail are now in breech of the service level agreement by running two trains less than agreed
Of course no notice has been issued telling the public of this
Isn't this just last year's timetable, with the infuriatingly sparse service in the evenings?
I was surprised also last Sunday to see how few matchgoers used the train to go into the city. It seems people prefer to face the joys of Cork matchday traffic to park in the city centre rather than park in a near empty station and have a 7 minute ride into Kent. While it's a bit of a trek to the ground it is no worse than it would be from most parked cars.
Mark Gleeson
11-06-2008, 12:59
We believe the 2007 timetable holds on Sundays, however on weekdays the timetable is neither the 2008 or 2007 one
Weekday services
7:00, 19:30 & 20:30 Cork Cobh cancelled
7:30, 20:00 & 21:00 Cobh Cork cancelled
Extra train 20:00 Cork Cobh and 20:30 Cork Cobh
Sunday service Cork - Cobh with effect from May 25th are as follows
8:45 Cork Cobh
11:45 Cork Cobh
13:00 Cork Cobh
14:15 Cork Cobh
15:30 Cork Cobh
16:55 Cork Cobh
18:15 Cork Cobh
20:40 Cork Cobh
21:50 Cork Cobh
09:15 Cobh Cork
12:25 Cobh Cork
13:35 Cobh Cork
14:50 Cobh Cork
16:25 Cobh Cork
17:30 Cobh Cork
19:00 Cobh Cork
21:15 Cobh Cork
22:25 Cobh Cork
Note 18:15 and 19:00 services may be bus substitutions
Mark Gleeson
25-06-2008, 08:29
Just to confirm that the following alterations remain despite Irish Rail deleting the notice off the website
05:45 Cork Millstreet, cancelled
06:55 Millstreet Cobh, runs only from Mallow (has never operated from Millstreet)
17:30 Cobh Millstreet, runs only to Mallow (has never operated to Millstreet)
19:25 Millstreet Cork, runs only from Mallow (has never operated from Millstreet)
19:30 Cork Cobh, cancelled,
20:00 Cobh Cork, cancelled,
20:30 Cork Cobh, cancelled,
21:00 Cobh Cobh, cancelled,
Note 20:00 Cork Cobh and 20:30 Cobh Cork run
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