Delay and Slow Running of 5:45 Sligo-Dublin 2-4-08

[lambo77]

5:45 sligo to dublin was 20 mins late arriving in Mullingar this morning and then had to wait a further 10 mins at Killucan for the Sligo bound train from Dublin to pass. As we wre already late could they have not been held at enfield to allow the dublin bound train to claw back some time?

[ACustomer]

Someone on the Sligo-bound train would doubtless an equal and opposite question if they were held up to facilitate your train.

More seriously, their train would have been due to cross one or two other Up trains in the course of its journey, so if they were held up the number of delayed trains would multiply by a factor of at least four. I know that IE signallers do not always appear to get the big picture right when reacting to a delay, but in this case they seem to have got it OK, as far as one can see.

[ThomasJ]

Saw that train pass coolmine at around 8:55 this morning. Substancially late!

Thats quite some trek. At Mullingar you had to wait on the 7:05 ex Connolly to pass and then approaching Dublin the 9.05 ex Connolly probably passed you by.

[CSL]

or is it easier to avoid reprogramming CTC

[Mark Gleeson]

If the 5:45 had been given priority it would have had a ripple effect heavily delaying the 7:05 from Dublin, delaying it by 25-30 minutes into Sligo

There is apparently some scenario software in use which plots the outcome of various options, but it doesn't consider the factor of the number of passengers on each train and that Dublin bound should have increased priority in the morning rush.

As long as there are single track lines this problem will arise

There is obviously something very wrong with the 5:45 train it seems to have massive problems running to time, despite having a clear run the whole way

[lambo77]

some problem between dromod and longford apparently

[John J]

some problem between dromod and longford apparently

There are only two possible explanations - staff incompetence and fondness for the "snooze button" by gatekeepers along the route - or some strange technical phenomenon that only affects this particular train and/or the Sligo line signalling system while it is running.

Any users from Sligo able to illuminate us?

I used to catch this train from Sligo back in 2002-03 but in those days it was a Cravens and a lot of the delays were due to failing lights etc, mind you there were a lot of stops in the middle of nowhere too, which were never explained.

[turnapin]

I've been on it at least twice when it was delayed between Dromod and Longford due signaling problems. Only thing I've noticed on these was general slow running and the odd stop in the middle of nowhere. It does only seem to occur on this train and it does always seem to be Dromod to Longford.