2009 Timetables??

[cullenswood]

Are there any rumours/news on any changes to the Longford rail timetable? Any later trains travelling to Enfield from Connolly, or more of the trains actually stopping in Enfield?

Would it not make sense to open the platform on the far side of the Enfield station and allow trains to stop there while waiting for a train on the opposite direction to pass. This would allow more trains to pick up passengers in Enfield without altering timetables.

[Mark Gleeson]

Far as we understand no extra trains, high risk of less trains at off peak times.

They might move to eliminate some of the empty trains, which would result in a extra Longford Dublin morning service, basically running in place of the Enfield train. While logical, better for the public and cheaper, this is Irish Rail so they probably won't do it

Lots of talk of something radical within Dublin, but no consultation

[cullenswood]

Lots of talk of something radical within Dublin, but no consultation

Thanks Mark

Something radical within Dublin, does this mean Enfield getting left behind. Surely they should notice that large numbers using the Enfield train as a commuter service?

[Mark Gleeson]

At 27 miles out Enfield is not considered a commuter station. You will never have a train every 10 minutes as you get when you are within 15 miles of the city. You will be lucky to get a service every 30 minutes and thats the limit and that depends on both the second platform and double track out to Mullingar to happen.

The name of game is to carry the most number of people, further out you go it costs more to provide the service and it provides less and less benefits. In comparison, Wicklow is the same distance, out has 4 times the population and only 2 morning services (vs 3) and 3 in the evening 3 vs 4 so Enfield is doing very well

The DTO is currently trying to figure out how to make the city work and long distance commuting is a big problem since its really hard to address with public transport

Anything radical will effect DART and Maynooth line only, in reality its nothing special just providing a consistent service level and clockface timetables, really restoring the service to what it always should have been in the first place.

[Mark Hennessy]

At 27 miles out Enfield is not considered a commuter station. You will never have a train every 10 minutes as you get when you are within 15 miles of the city. You will be lucky to get a service every 30 minutes and thats the limit and that depends on both the second platform and double track out to Mullingar to happen.


Do Irish Rail really consider 27 miles to be Inter-City?

Its crazy that current services to places like that could be cut considering how a lot of people were forced to move away from the city by insanely high house prices.

[Mark Gleeson]

Cuts more likely between Maynooth and Dublin, than further afield. Anything beyond Maynooth is considered intercity

Just to get a second platform in Enfield could cost 4 million since it must then get an accessible footbridge and other trimmings.

Enfield will only ever get a basic service, that said a basic service means a train after 9pm which few if any routes enjoy

The professional planning view is such long distance commuting is unsustainable. Everyone is entitled to a basic service, 3 trains in before 9am tends to satisfy that requirement. But the super high density train every 7.5 minutes is reserved for serious demand locations

[cullenswood]

Cuts more likely between Maynooth and Dublin, than further afield. Anything beyond Maynooth is considered intercity

Just to get a second platform in Enfield could cost 4 million since it must then get an accessible footbridge and other trimmings.

Enfield will only ever get a basic service, that said a basic service means a train after 9pm which few if any routes enjoy

Does that mean there is a service after 9pm planned? That would be a welcome addition

4 million for a footbridge....I'll do one for half that :)

[Mark Gleeson]

Does that mean there is a service after 9pm planned? That would be a welcome addition

4 million for a footbridge....I'll do one for half that :)

Within building regulations and various other guidelines, problem is its an entire package, any upgrade requires the full implementation of upgrade. Back in the old days the second platform would get a coat of tarmac and off we go

Politcos in Longford sunk the later train, it required the 18:05 to Longford to terminate in Mullingar return to Dublin and run back out to Mullingat. Parish pump politics once again sink sensible solutions to real problems

[ThomasJ]

I'm not sure Mark, the only service I can see being cut is the 19:29hrs

Every other services seem to doing well in terms of passenger numbers, better than other lines. Talking to a member of IE staff recently and they said as far as they are aware there are no plans of cuts to evening maynooth services would be a mistake given current passenger levels on off-peak services.

given that the Maynooth line has minimum requirements ie. 2 4 coach trains covering the evening peak, one driver per train, no ticket office staff etc. I cant see this happening.

[Mark Gleeson]

There are continued rumors of service reductions of off peak services. Irish Rail are facing serious financial challenges

We have all noted the massive reduction in the opening hours of booking offices across Dublin

16:00 Dublin Sligo on Sat/Sun would be at risk

[Mickey H]

General question about the 2009 timetable: Will it start December 14th or later as was rumoured on another forum?

Apparently translink are being forced to make cuts to service due to budget cuts and I heard a rumour that 0650 Belfast-Dublin and 2045 Dublin-Belfast might be axed

[Thomas Ralph]

That would be fairly terrible. It would mean the first service from north of the border wouldn't land in Dublin until nearly 10am and the first service from Newry wouldn't get in until the afternoon.

[Mark Gleeson]

Its utter rubbish, 6:50 is the busiest train of the day. Hourly services are planned in the next 2 years of so (tender out for the rolling stock overhaul)

[ThomasJ]

Within building regulations and various other guidelines, problem is its an entire package, any upgrade requires the full implementation of upgrade. Back in the old days the second platform would get a coat of tarmac and off we go

Politcos in Longford sunk the later train, it required the 18:05 to Longford to terminate in Mullingar return to Dublin and run back out to Mullingat. Parish pump politics once again sink sensible solutions to real problems

Was the plan not to run the 18:18 as far as Maynooth/Mullingar and run it back to Pearse in time to form the 21:00

It makes sense that with the 18:05 non-stop running the 18:18 tends to be quiet empty after Maynooth/Mullingar the 18:18 should be cut back. Longford does not need 2 commuter trains within the space of 15 minutes of each other.

[John J]

The professional planning view is such long distance commuting is unsustainable.

Good to know these "professionals" have finally seen the light - after approving the construction of hundreds of thousands of houses in the @rse hole of nowhere, while presiding over a Dublin planning system which was possibly the most corrupt in the developed world.

But the "professionals" have had their epiphany and the innocent victims who were forced to buy houses in these backwaters will now suffer.

Long distance commuting is wrong after all - and it's your fault you're doing it. Apparantly.

[Mark Hennessy]

Good to know these "professionals" have finally seen the light - after approving the construction of hundreds of thousands of houses in the @rse hole of nowhere, while presiding over a Dublin planning system which was possibly the most corrupt in the developed world.

But the "professionals" have had their epiphany and the innocent victims who were forced to buy houses in these backwaters will now suffer.

Long distance commuting is wrong after all - and it's your fault you're doing it. Apparantly.

Whatever view the "professionals" had it didn't matter when it was govt policy to allow houses to built everyone in vast quantities. I think we all now see that the "boom" years were a legacy of this.

[Mickey H]

The SDLP politician John Dallat has issued the following (confusingly phrased) statement which while largely refering to the Derry line suggests there WILL be cuts in the Enterprise service:

DALLAT - HANDS OFF OUR RAILWAYS

A suggestion that rail services could be cut at the weekends hasn't gone down well with East Derry SDLP Spokesperson on Regional Development John Dallat who has fought a long battle to revive rail services and stop the closure of the Belfast-Derry line at Ballymena. Mr Dallat stated:

"Like all government departments, the Department of Regional Development is facing difficulties, not helped by the fact that the Assembly Executive is not meeting and shows no signs of doing so.

'It seems that the highly popular concessionary fares scheme could be capped which would attract unprecedented criticism of the department and hopefully won't happen.

'However it appears that a more likely victim of swingeing cuts is the railways which have never had the total commitment of the Department of Regional Development except during the period when Mark Durkan was Minister for Finance and made available the money to purchase new trains.

One likely outcome is to cancel Sunday Services and a cancellation of services on all trains after 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday. This would include two Enterprise trains which operate the Belfast-Dublin Service. There is particular concern for the Belfast-Derry line which was expected to have an increase in train services to eliminate the embarrassment of no trains arriving in the city before 9.00 a.m. Now it seems we are in for a reduction in services!

'Even with these swingeing cuts in service there is also a possibility of more fare increases on our rail services.

'There is also concern that the much publicised capital expenditure of £9 million pounds on the relaying of the track on the Belfast-Derry line north of Coleraine could be nothing more than a pleasant dream.

'Magilligan rail travellers have also taken seriously speculation that the station at Bellarena is due for the chop abandoning any hope of a transport link between the Bellarena and the Magilligan-Greencastle ferry service.

Clearly all this will be very embarrassing for the Department and the Minister Conor Murphy if any of it materialises, given that the Derry-Belfast line is now carrying more passengers than the Belfast-Dublin line.

The Railway Public Service Obligation (PSO) subsidy, which helps to reimburse operators, has not been increased since 2004 and amazingly the Department didn't even make a bid in the 2007 budget.

Amazingly the number of passengers carried on our trains has increased from 6 million to 10 million per annum but the department cannot show any evidence that this highly commendable performance has off-set cost increases."

ENDS

[Mickey H]

The worst case scenario is no trains on translink after 10PM and none at all on Sundays, specifically including cross broder services

See

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/realmedia/newsline/newsline2225_bb.ram

for the next 24 hours (starts at 3 min 47 sec)

[ThomasJ]

did anyone hear rumours that the timetable could be deferred until march or even next summer

[chris]

The worst case scenario is no trains on translink after 10PM and none at all on Sundays, specifically including cross broder services

I can't access the link because I'm abroad. Who is claiming this will happen?

It all sounds a bit draconian - there's no way they could get away with that, is there?

[Mickey H]

"Who is claiming this will happen?"

The BBC quoting John Dallat of the SDLP

[Mark Gleeson]

Given a tender is out to refurbish coaches to provide hourly Dublin Belfast it sounds like more rubbish

Fuel prices have nosedived to levels well under what they where last year, so costs are not as bad.

If they do cut the service, they will open the door wide open to competition under EU rules

[sublimity]

did anyone hear rumours that the timetable could be deferred until march or even next summer

No way thats going to happen. Rosslare passengers were promised new trains by Dec. They cannot be let down again

[ccos]

Do Irish Rail really consider 27 miles to be Inter-City?

NS in Holland have an Intercity from Amsterdam CS to Zaandvoort, thats about 30 kms, with stops in A'dam Sloterdijk, Haarlem NS and Overveen. It runs every 30 mins.

[KSW]

Rosslare passengers were promised new trains by Dec. They cannot be let down again

I think IE will improve this line this coming December not just in Journey times but in service and reliability.

[Thomas Ralph]

Do Irish Rail really consider 27 miles to be Inter-City?

Anything operating outside of the short hop zone and Cork-Cobh is intercity, really.

[ccos]

Anything operating outside of the short hop zone and Cork-Cobh is intercity, really.


Cork is not a city:eek:

[Kilkea]

did anyone hear rumours that the timetable could be deferred until march or even next summer

Naas rail user group met with IE on 23rd Oct and they were advised that the new timetable will more than likely not come into affect until Spring, as it is still in the planning stages. So I would expect that the current timetable will just be extended.

[clockwork orange]

Cork is not a city:eek:

Cobh isn't.

[ccos]

Cobh isn't.

Ireland is an Island off the coast of Cobh.:p

[clockwork orange]

Ireland is an Island off the coast of Cobh.:p


Indeed. :D :D

[Mark Gleeson]

Can we get back on topic here folks

The internal problems with NIR/Translink don't concern us. Despite all the talk Enterprise services are highly unlikely to be effected

There are already 46 fewer DART services per week compared to the published timetable, that is a problem

[KSW]

The Rosslare/Wexford line is to get five daily services each way but it honestly seems pointless to have I'm gonna say the extra services going to Rosslare when literally everybody gets off at Wexford. 3 to Rosslare and 2 to Wexford

Connolly/Rosslare 07:10 13:10 17:10 19:10
Connolly/Wexford 10:30 15:30

[paddyb180285]

The Rosslare/Wexford line is to get five daily services each way but it honestly seems pointless to have I'm gonna say the extra services going to Rosslare when literally everybody gets off at Wexford. 3 to Rosslare and 2 to Wexford

Connolly/Rosslare 07:10 13:10 17:10 19:10
Connolly/Wexford 10:30 15:30

Are those times set in stone or are you guessing?

[ThomasJ]

So its that time of the year again! The whole 28 day advance booking system means we should hear something within the next 2-3 weeks shouldn't we?

Either a new timetable or an extension of the current one, I know what my money's on!

Edit: Can make a reservation upto the 1st December as of today, the current timetable ends on the 13th!

[KSW]

Are those times set in stone or are you guessing?:D:D

I was just thinking that everywhere else has a clockface pattern theme going on so why not Rosslare something by 10mins and wexford trains 30mins after the hour. But my money is on the current timetable something like 07:35, 13:35. 17:35, 18:35 I HATE THIS PATTERN, :D

Can I just ask wheter people would like the same Rosslare pattern or a new fresh look and times...

[paddyb180285]

:D:D But my money is on the current timetable something like 07:35, 13:35. 17:35, 18:35 I HATE THIS PATTERN, :D

Can I just ask wheter people would like the same Rosslare pattern or a new fresh look and times...

I would love to see a new fresh look for the new timetable. The pattern that you suggested in the previous post seems a lot more even than the current hour gap here and 5 hour gap there. Also, an additional evening service from Dublin to Gorey (or possibly Rosslare Europort) leaving Connolly at say 21:10 might be a good idea. I would like to see an extra Galway and Waterford service scheduled for a similar time. I'm not sure about places like Westport or Limerick in this regard. However, in my opinion there should be an evening outbound and inbound service at roughly 21:00 to and from any of the countries many terminii. But that is just me.

[KSW]

I would love to see a new fresh look for the new timetable. The pattern that you suggested in the previous post seems a lot more even than the current hour gap here and 5 hour gap there.
Also, an additional evening service from Dublin to Gorey (or possibly Rosslare Europort) leaving Connolly at say 21:10 might be a good idea.

Thanks Paddy, I never even considered a late 21:10 service to say Gorey or Rosslare. I honestly would like the 17:10 and the 19:10 to terminate at Rosslare for the 2 morning services from Rosslare. The 07:10 from Connolly the next morning could be a 10:30 from Rosslare. Example the 17:10 becomes 05:30 the next day the 19:10 comes the 07:30 then the 07:10 from Connolly becomes the 10:30 not to much time gaps. Early morning, Mid morning and late morning.


The 10:30 from Connolly terminates at Wexford arriving say 12:00 leaving at 12:30 giving example Gorey a new lunch time service of 13:10 and Arklow 13:22. For these times to work it should take Rosslare to Gorey 1hour, Gorey to Bray 1hour then 30mins Bray to Connolly giving 2hr30min.. I personally think the Rosslare line should become more time strict giving priority not just to Rosslare trains but also to DART trains as from Bray to Connolly and especially Connolly to Bray as every person knows the trains just crawl out from Pearse to DunLaoghaire. I reallt think if IE put their heads together it can become a real Intercity line, After all it has been 4years since they had a train that said intercity along the side of the train.:D:D


Bray
Dublin Connolly
06/11
20:01
20:32
0
Railcar
Bray to Connolly 30mins ( Best time )

Gorey
Bray
06/11
18:50
20:01
0
Railcar
Gorey to Bray 1hr10mins ( Could complete in 1hr )

Rosslare Europort
Gorey
06/11
17:40
18:50
0
Railcar
Rosslare to Gorey 1hr10mins ( Complete 1hr )

[sublimity]

:D:D

I was just thinking that everywhere else has a clockface pattern theme going on so why not Rosslare something by 10mins and wexford trains 30mins after the hour. But my money is on the current timetable something like 07:35, 13:35. 17:35, 18:35 I HATE THIS PATTERN, :D

Can I just ask wheter people would like the same Rosslare pattern or a new fresh look and times...

I'd imagine it will be the same pattern as current one.just hope they will all be connolly-rosslare with 22ks. if short of 22ks then one mk3 push/pull would do.

[KSW]

connolly-rosslare with 22ks. if short of 22ks then one mk3 push/pull would do.

Mk III would be alot better:D

[ThomasJ]

Mk III would be alot better:D

Guys you have to travel to somewhere like Navan where they are crying out for rail transport and realise how priviledged you are to have the facility (despite the price of it :mad: :mad: :mad: )

[Oisin88]

did anyone hear rumours that the timetable could be deferred until march or even next summer
Yes:eek:
This evening in Heuston, a man with a nametag that I think said Barry Kenny told me that there would be small changes in December, but bigger ones in April.

[Mark Gleeson]

All the promises given where for December, Rosslare has waited long enough, all but 2 of the intercity 3 coach sets are in service, thats more than enough.

Notice they shelled out on fancy new name badges?

[paddyb180285]

Guys you have to travel to somewhere like Navan where they are crying out for rail transport and realise how priviledged you are to have the facility (despite the price of it :mad: :mad: :mad: )

Correct me if I'm wrong but, won't this be getting sorted out when the new planned branch from Clonsilla get's underway? Anyway, back to the main topic. I think that a later train to Cork needs to be introduced in each direction. Westport could probably do with an extra outbound and inbound service in the evening, possibly at around 9 o'clock from Dublin and 9:30 from Westport. This would mean an increase to 4 trains each way from the current 3 trains each way. At this day and age, the Dublin-Belfast service should be made hourly with the last train leaving either end at 10:00. Maybe a 2 hour gap where demand is very scarce. Currently, the last Sligo bound train leaves at 19:05. Preferably, an extra service could be introduced at 21:05 complemented by an extra inbound service leaving from Sligo at 21:00. This way, it would be a later service that complies with it's clockface nature. As for the recent cut back to the DART's frequency. I hope that this is not an indication of a less frequent service for next years timetable. In fact, it would be nice to see an extra service or two for Dalkey.

[Mickey H]

"all but 2 of the intercity 3 coach sets are in service"

There are 4 not yet in service:

22008 unknown why not

22010 sent back to Korea

22011 ditto

22046 not built yet

10 and 11 were damaged on the boat to Ireland by leaking chemicals and were sent back to Rotem for repair

[sublimity]

Correct me if I'm wrong but, won't this be getting sorted out when the new planned branch from Clonsilla get's underway? Anyway, back to the main topic. I think that a later train to Cork needs to be introduced in each direction. Westport could probably do with an extra outbound and inbound service in the evening, possibly at around 9 o'clock from Dublin and 9:30 from Westport. This would mean an increase to 4 trains each way from the current 3 trains each way. At this day and age, the Dublin-Belfast service should be made hourly with the last train leaving either end at 10:00. Maybe a 2 hour gap where demand is very scarce. Currently, the last Sligo bound train leaves at 19:05. Preferably, an extra service could be introduced at 21:05 complemented by an extra inbound service leaving from Sligo at 21:00. This way, it would be a later service that complies with it's clockface nature. As for the recent cut back to the DART's frequency. I hope that this is not an indication of a less frequent service for next years timetable. In fact, it would be nice to see an extra service or two for Dalkey.

Forget Cork.that line has been given way too much attention.services are fine the way they are. Other lines deserve more attention and better services

[Mark Gleeson]

08 has been accepted for passenger service. Its in Mallow for staff training and is certified to carry passengers.

10+11 are still owned by Rotem under repair

46 is a suburban 3 car set, as distinct from the 1-30 which are intercity sets. None of the 5 6 car suburban sets have arrived yet either

The 2009 timetable was predicated on the entire 150 car order being present and available, the 33 add on where never going to be here in time for 2009. The order to cover Sligo and Rosslare has been delivered, there are no excuses the entire Sligo and Rosslare service should be intercity railcars. The promise was Dec 07, they missed that no excuses for Dec 08

[Thomas Ralph]

Mk III would be alot better:D

They can't run to Rosslare, they'll go down through the track.

[paddyb180285]

They can't run to Rosslare, they'll go down through the track.

A 3-car 22000 Intercity DMU or a 4-car 29000 Commuter DMU are fine and they are very comfortable. The real problem with this line is the frequency.

[KSW]

They can't run to Rosslare, they'll go down through the track.
Don't mean to go on about the Mk III's on the Rosslare line as this has already been done on another thread but I've been on a Mk III and the new 22000 trains and hands down the mk III trains are alot more comfortable.

A 3-car 22000 Intercity DMU or a 4-car 29000 Commuter DMU are fine and they are very comfortable. The real problem with this line is the frequency.

Frequency = Im with you on that one:D:D Not just frequency but speed issues and so much more..

HERE'S HOPING DECEMBER, ROSSLARE WILL GET THE NEW TRAINS

[Mark Gleeson]

Give Joe passenger a choice, they will pick the 22k anyday. Mk3 technically is a better coach, but it only wins on engineering criteria. The lighting, heating and interior of the 22k wins hands down not to mention between any two intercity stations it is faster than anything else

[ThomasJ]

Give Joe passenger a choice, they will pick the 22k anyday. Mk3 technically is a better coach, but it only wins on engineering criteria. The lighting, heating and interior of the 22k wins hands down not to mention between any two intercity stations it is faster than anything else

Plus give IE staff a choice and given the jobs required beforehand to setup the MKIII locomotives etc the 22ks makes life easier for them. they'll pick the railcars!

[Anyone notice how far off-topic we've gone given the sub-forum were in! :D ]

[sublimity]

A 3-car 22000 Intercity DMU or a 4-car 29000 Commuter DMU are fine and they are very comfortable. The real problem with this line is the frequency.

make that a 6-car 22000 Intercity (or 2x3). 4-car Commuter only as far as Gorey thank you very much.

[ThomasJ]

Don't get me wrong, I see where you are coming from but in my own opinion Rosslare services should be every 3 hours: 7ish, 10ish, 1ish, 4ish, 7ish with 2 commuter services to gorey/enniscorthy at 5 ish and 6ish. Keith your suggestion there seems to be focusing two much on the worker coming home at peak hour with gaps at other times. it should be spread out.

[ThomasJ]

make that a 6-car 22000 Intercity (or 2x3). 4-car Commuter only as far as Gorey thank you very much.

The thing is correct me if i'm wrong but the only intercity service that seems to do well on the rosslare line is the 18:30, now that merits a six-coach butin my own opionion the 5:30 and 6:30 should be six coach commuter trains with the rest possibly getting away as 3-coach intercity railcars.

Something along the lines of:
07:30 Connolly Rosslare
10:30 Connolly Rosslare
13:30 Connolly Rosslare
16:30 Connolly Rosslare
17:30 Connolly Gorey/Enniscorthy
18:30 Connolly Gorey/Enniscorthy
19:30 Connolly Rosslare

[Mark Gleeson]

Could certainly go with that, its sensible, though Gorey is far enough

[Colm Moore]

For the less used lines like the Rosslare line, they had been restricted to about 16 hours of service per day - the same as two work shifts. With the new signalling can the 16 hours be extended based on controllers in a central location?

[Mark Gleeson]

For the less used lines like the Rosslare line, they had been restricted to about 16 hours of service per day - the same as two work shifts. With the new signalling can the 16 hours be extended based on controllers in a central location?

Few manual level crossings in the way still to block 24 hour operation.

[sublimity]

18:30 Connolly Gorey/Enniscorthy


I firmly believe the 18:30 should be to Rosslare with a 6-car Intercity as its the busiest train of the day. stopping at gorey & enniscorthy anyway:D

I also believe stops at Tara Street & Dun Laoghaoire should be scrapped for all Intercity services to Rosslare. Remember not so long ago the rosslare train's first stop was Bray?

[paddyb180285]

Few manual level crossings in the way still to block 24 hour operation.

Mark, you mentioned on another thread that you can see a case for Gorey service from Dublin after 21:00. Do you think this might be introduced in the new time tables?

[Mark Gleeson]

The 18:35 is not the busiest, the 17:25 is. Only reason the 18:35 is busy is because its the last train of the day

7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, with the 10am and 4pm terminating the Wexford is a perfectly acceptable spread of services. Commuter services at 5:30pm and 6:30pm, possibly 11:30 and 2:30 as well

Commuters should travel on commuter trains, long distance passengers on Intercity services. Intercity services should be non stop Connolly Bray, commuter services should stop as required so Connolly-Lansdowne Rd, Dún Laoghaire

[sublimity]

Intercity services should be non stop Connolly Bray, commuter services should stop as required so Connolly-Lansdowne Rd, Dún Laoghaire

110% agree Mark.

However I still think all 5 Intercity trains Dublin-Rosslare

[Mark Gleeson]

110% agree Mark.

However I still think all 5 Intercity trains Dublin-Rosslare

Turning back in Wexford might be required due to the number of trains available as well as staff requirements. Though we all know its very quiet beyond Wexford anyway

[KSW]

However I still think all 5 Intercity trains Dublin-Rosslare

Everyone has their own thoughts.

I personally would like 6 daily trains serving the line. 07.10Rosslare, 10.30Wexford, 13.10Rosslare, 15.10Wexford, 17:10Rosslare, 19.10Rosslare. I would have the last train leaving Rosslare at say 4pm. The 15:10 to Wexford would leave Wexford at 6.30pm Is this to early for the last train to leave Wexford we need people from Wexford station on here:D:D. Both 17.10 & 19.10 to Rosslare for next mornings services. Its just hard because of drivers issues hence why the early train from Connolly then it turns into Arklow-Rosslare then back to Connolly as the 07.40.:confused::confused::confused::D I really want IE to know this information as it will hopefully boost the line.

[ThomasJ]

Everyone has their own thoughts.

I personally would like 6 daily trains serving the line.

Iarnrod Eireann has already come out saying there will be 5 a day.

Having services spread out over every 3 hours makes sense. Its not only workers or students to and from from Dublin using the line. The six-coach commuter services should be utilising the busy 5:30pm & 6:30pm slots.

Also don't forget we should be pushing for intergration with other lines. On sunday the last services misses the last service to Maynooth by five minutes and belfast by 5-10 minutes!

[ThomasJ]

Everyone has their own thoughts.

Its just hard because of drivers issues hence why the early train from Connolly then it turns into Arklow-Rosslare then back to Connolly as the 07.40.:confused::confused::confused::D I really want IE to know this information as it will hopefully boost the line.[/COLOR]
[/COLOR]

have heard that at the moment the drivers driving the morning Rosslare/gorey trains are being taxied down from dublin because of the works.

[Mark Gleeson]

If they had drivers in Gorey it would mean the end to all these empty trains plus the evening service would work.

Good connections are born out of frequency, Belfast will be hourly in years to come

[ThomasJ]

So, what about DART and the Maynooth line?

Whats the chances of the clockface changes on the way?

[Mickey H]

"46 is a suburban 3 car set"

I did not realise there was such a thing, why have they ordered only 1, is a 9 car possible (3+6)?

[Mark Gleeson]

Order was 33 for suburban use, thats the official line, never meant to be here for 2009 timetable anyway. The 9 car test was done several months ago.

They are to cover Portlaoise, Athy, Athlone - Heuston service

[Thomas Ralph]

I did not realise there was such a thing, why have they ordered only 1, is a 9 car possible (3+6)?

9-car is possible (I don't think there's any technical limit on how many railcars they can string together) but you run into the platforms being too short. Most of the platforms from Kilcoole down, for example, can't manage six of the 22Ks, not to mind nine.

[Mark Gleeson]

Rathdrum is the only problem, its not an excuse Irish Rail can use to yet further delay the service improvements. There are ways around it

[sublimity]

Rathdrum is the only problem, its not an excuse Irish Rail can use to yet further delay the service improvements. There are ways around it

Damn straight. A 6-car 22k can and should be used for at least one of the five intercity services to wexford/rosslare

[paddyb180285]

Usually, the timetable is uploaded onto the internet a month in advance of the timetable change or expiration date. This year it expires on the 13th of December. So, I wonder should we be expecting this in the next fortnight to few days?

[Mark Gleeson]

Sunday/Monday

[ThomasJ]

The writing was on the wall for that. They seem to be extending the current timetable til march was word from IE staff I heard, when extra stock and extra staff fully trained should be in place.

[paddyb180285]

If my memory serves me correctly, this happened 2 years ago only this time it's worse.

[sublimity]

I feel physically sick.
On to the Last Word quick,Mark:mad:

[ThomasJ]

has this gone online yet? Heard today there are tweaks in December so am
Presuming the new timetable will be december allbeit the major changes including rosslare will be April but should hopefully be online with the new timtable like they did with the January timetable with maynooth and Sligo

[Mark Gleeson]

Nothing online yet

They can't do anything serious since the trains are tied up until the Rosslare line is sorted out

Bear in mind we are already down 46 DART services a week, one train each way Mallow - Millstreet Mon-Fri and one train each way Dublin Cork on a Sunday, so they will have to give us a lot back to restore the December 2007 position let alone expand it

[KSW]

Nothing online yet
They can't do anything serious since the trains are tied up until the Rosslare line is sorted out

I'm happy to hear that piece of information, They cant do anything until they sort out Rosslare, to me at least Rosslare is finally getting a first look.
It will be Spring before Rosslare/Wexford/Gorey trains see a difference.Say another 5months.:D

[paddyb180285]

Why, what could be happenning with the Rosslare line that would hold up the introduction of the new timetable?

[Mark Gleeson]

If the trains to run the new service aren't on the Rosslare line, the trains currently on the Rosslare line can't be used elsewhere

[paddyb180285]

If the trains to run the new service aren't on the Rosslare line, the trains currently on the Rosslare line can't be used elsewhere

"The trains to run the new service"? Do you mean the 22000? This will be very interesting to see. Will next years timetable see the elimination of Commuter branded trains south of Pearse?

[ThomasJ]

"The trains to run the new service"? Do you mean the 22000? This will be very interesting to see. Will next years timetable see the elimination of Commuter branded trains south of Pearse?

No is the simple answer to that!

1. Morning and evening peak hour services between Bray and Drogheda/Dundalk and Maynooth are doing very well. THe only section that is not great is Dun Laoghaire-Bray. By the looks of it and by the way IE are talking these services wont be going away any time soon!

2. Bear in mind commuter services to Wexford/Gorey/Enniscorthy will continue to operate.

[sublimity]

No is the simple answer to that!


2. Bear in mind commuter services to Wexford/Gorey/Enniscorthy will continue to operate.

commuter services as far as gorey only. enniscorthy,wexford and rosslare will be intercity

[paddyb180285]

THe only section that is not great is Dun Laoghaire-Bray.


What do you mean by this? Do you mean that there is room for improvement in terms of frequency of service in the intermediate stations?


2. Bear in mind commuter services to Wexford/Gorey/Enniscorthy will continue to operate.

I agree with this! If services are terminating in Gorey, Commuter it is. However, if it is terminating in Rosslare, Intercity it is. This would somewhat make up for the poor frequency.

[Thomas Ralph]

commuter services as far as gorey only. enniscorthy,wexford and rosslare will be intercity

Well if you want to split hairs, anything further south than Kilcoole is InterCity.

[ThomasJ]

What do you mean by this? Do you mean that there is room for improvement in terms of frequency of service in the intermediate stations?





I mean the most passengers have disembarked by Dun Laoghaire and the train is fairly empty heading to Bray. that according to IE!

[paddyb180285]

I mean the most passengers have disembarked by Dun Laoghaire and the train is fairly empty heading to Bray. that according to IE!

Are these DART or Commuter trains your talking about? If it is the latter, then the only explanation is that it goes non-stop between Dun Laoghaire and Bray. However, if it is DART then that argument is incorrect. Anytime I board or leave a DART at the likes of Dalkey and Glenageary on peak, there have been large numbers of people getting on or off. I can assure you that most of the time when I board a DART at peak times, it can be very difficult to move around. Bear in mind that this is the case by the time it reaches Dalkey or Glenageary let alone town.

[ThomasJ]

They are the peak hour commuter services between brayand drogheda and maynooth

[paddyb180285]

They are the peak hour commuter services between brayand drogheda and maynooth

If that is the case, do you not think more people would board them if they made an extra stop or two at the likes of Glenageary, Dalkey or Killiney?

Personnaly, I think they would. The 08:55 Bray - Balbriggan service picks up a lot of people from Glenageary and Dalkey. Also, the 10:25 Bray - Drogheda service picks up between 10 and 20 passengers at Dalkey as it is quite popular for the locals. It is only fair to say that any train covering Bray - Maynooth/Drogheda would serve Dalkey as well becuase they are more or less in or near the Dublin area timewise. It would also enable the Commuter to go much faster between Dun Laoghaire and Blackrock as an extra stop would create more space between it and the train ahead. Otherwise, you have a situation where the Commuter is cruising along between Dun Laoghaire and Blackrock because it got too close to the train ahead. This is just my opinion.

[sublimity]

Because there will be an increase to 5 Intercity services Dublin-Rosslare I assume that Commuter services will be restricted to peak times? e.g 2 services Gorey to Dublin mornings and 2 Dublin-Gorey evenings. Is that the way it will pan out?

And what about weekends? No demand really is there

[ThomasJ]

Irrespective of whether anything changes in December or not, the number of days you can reserve in advance on intercity services are down to 25?

Times post December 13th are still not online!

[Thomas Ralph]

That'll be because of the new timetable rather than any focused reduction in advance booking times.

[paddyb180285]

Still, Irish Rail should be putting up some notice on their website regarding the late introduction of the 2009 timetable. Any print out timetable has it clearly marked in black (erm...green) and white saying expires 13th December or something along those lines. As one of you mentioned, it is rumoured not to be up until some time in March. This is 3 months late.

[dowlingm]

hope they tell the drivers what the rosters are going to be this time :D

[drowned_in_sound]

hi, does anyone know what the 2009 timetables will mean for Park West station? i used this station for the first time on Friday evening instead of the 79A and it only took about 8 minutes to get to Heuston instead of 35-40 minutes on the bus. The problem is that there's no train from Heuston -> Parkwest in the morning between 7:30am and 9:30am ! Seems a terrible waste for a brand new station 3 minutes walk from a large business park.
Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere in the forum.

[Mark Gleeson]

Point noted, see what we can do

[Mark Gleeson]

Me thinks we will know shortly, the online booking system is offline and the journey planner is off as well

But the booking system is still letting me book on the GAA special to Thurles

Edit still no updated timetable

[paddyb180285]

There is one article on the Irish Independent website that looks quite alarming. Here is a URL: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cie-may-axe-400-jobs-amid-mounting-losses-1550818.html

It might explain the delay in the 2009 timetable introduction.

[sublimity]

There is one article on the Irish Independent website that looks quite alarming. Here is a URL: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cie-may-axe-400-jobs-amid-mounting-losses-1550818.html

It might explain the delay in the 2009 timetable introduction.

Fine they can defer the increased frequencies (as much as i don't like admitting it) but they MUST put the new trains on the rosslare line and make it an Intercity line again. IE have to keep their promise on that.
Dec 2007 they were supposed to be in service. ( 2nd after sligo) Its a bloody disgrace

[paddyb180285]

It's now less than 3 weeks until the new timetable comes out and not even a sign of it. For anyone who is planning on doing something for the new year that requires booking a train journey, they may have to resort to the car. Anyone got any more info on the new timetable (DART wise anyway)?

[jscales1]

There are continued rumors of service reductions of off peak services. Irish Rail are facing serious financial challenges

We have all noted the massive reduction in the opening hours of booking offices across Dublin

16:00 Dublin Sligo on Sat/Sun would be at risk

Is there a chance that we will loose the rail cair for the 6:50am service and will have a train leaving Sligo at 5:00am to make up the difference. I think this would be a runner as the platform in Mullingar does be black each weekday morning :)

[sublimity]

Me thinks the 09:05 & 16:00 to sligo will be cut.
6 services a day is plenty

[ccos]

Does any one have the figures of how much it costs to keep anyof these underserviced lines open, maintained and have rolling stock available for it as opposed to the actual cost of running a train down it?
Surely the incidentals like driver + conductors salary, fuel, wear and tear on livestock etc per journey are only a fraction of the cost of manning stations, maintaining signaling, stations and way plus the capital costs of the stock and route which are probably fixed no matter how many trains run.
Is this just case of pennywise PXXXD Euro foolish:confused:

[MOH]

Idiot that I am, I though I'd check what way Sligo trains are running Christmas Eve. Of course, that would assume IE were competent enough to have the website updated. At the moment you can't get any information online after December 13th. I presume that's because they haven't sorted the new timetables yet? How the hell are people supposed to make Christmas travel plans with this bunch of jokers?

Anyone know what kind of timetable they usually run Christmas Eve?

[Colm Moore]

Anyone know what kind of timetable they usually run Christmas Eve?I imagine they finish everything by about 8-9pm. Nothing at all on 25-26 December.

[Thomas Ralph]

Last intercity departures are usually 1900 and last DART/Commuter departures are usually between 2000 and 2100.

[Mark Gleeson]

Last intercity departures are usually 1900

So not different from normal....

[paddyb180285]

Temporary timetables are now up. They are valid until further notice. Here is a link:
http://irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetables_2009.asp

[ThomasJ]

Timetable has now been uploaded to th Irish rail website. This new timetable according to the website ends on the 30th May 2008

Also confirmation of the Sunday 19:20 Longford Connolly cancellation as well as the others on the Maynooth/Longford line

[MOH]

Yep, they're up now, thanks.

Looks like a normal service Christmas Eve?!

[sublimity]

This new timetable according to the website ends on the 30th May 2008



30th May? that's summer. i thought new timetable April at the latest?
I'll prob have emigrated by then!

[Colm Moore]

Notes here: http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/general_news.asp?action=view&news_id=452