The Cork Dublin Express Train has entered service [Archive] - Page 2

MrX

26-09-2006, 20:59

Oisin,

Some of them ride very smoothly. It's definitely an "on-going issue" rather than something direly wrong with the entire fleet. In my personal experience of the MK4 as a passenger, the ride's been quite ok. Perhaps a little harder than MK3, but nothing shockingly bad.

I think however, there's no harm in reporting every bumpy ride issue at this stage as it's the best time for IE to resolve problems.

Also, I am sure that feedback can only be beneficial.

I would suggest that forum members who happen to ride the CDE would give their coach number and a brief description of any ride issues etc on a thread on these boards. This way the info could perhaps be fedback to IE on a regular basis to make sure that the "dodgy coches" are looked into!

I honestly think that long term these trains will be a major improvement on the Cork line.

The coach numbers are clearly printed in the gangways above the door as well as on the coach exteriors. Just stick the number into your phone / scribble it down and report any major bumpiness.

Mark Gleeson

26-09-2006, 21:05

A coach number would be handy but dont go trainspotter on us.

We know coaches 4003, 4203, 4403, 4111-4115 are dreadful. Avoid coach G the one next to the engine at all costs

All I can say is that tonights 21:00 Dublin Cork is giving it loads of sway

Brian.Stokes

27-09-2006, 10:15

Hi Lads,

I was on 'C' coach on the 21.00 Dublin to Cork last night. I think the coach number was 4109. I could be wrong but thats what i think it was.

We didn't leave until 21.12 from Heuston due to a 'technical issue'. It sounded like one of the doors wouldn't close properly.

Train Host made regular announcements apologising for delay and promised to keep us updated. So there i was sitting down thinking that this wasn't too bad and that everyone was getting an unlucky trip on these trains.

To those i doubted i apologise now, we got past inchicore, and i heard a friend of mine at the back of the carriage (it was a very empty carriage).
So i got up and walked over to her. I have travelled a lot on all sorts of trains here and abroad and i must say i was sure i was going to fall over several times. The train feels as if its driving of a track that was not built for the wheels. It's a tough one to explain but there was a real 'hard' feel to the movement. The train just doesn't seem to 'fit' hopefully it will "break in".

After talking to my friend i went to get a tea and meet some people from Limerick who all agreed that the train was very 'rough' and uncomfortable. Those people were sitting back by the snack carriage which was alot more jumpy than my carriage.

To be honest in parts it was as comfortable as travelling to Waterford from Limerick Junction :D

PIS and cleanliness were all spot on and make me feel we may be getting "there". As long as those standards are kept up people will enjoy the journey.

I then jumped off and switched to the Commuter service to Limerick and all though louder, dirtier and that feeling of moving at faster then the speed of sound it was more comfortable overall than the majority of my journey on Mark IV.

I hope this gives some more feedback on the trip but i can't help but think that things will get better and we may have turned a corner on rail travel for the average traveller in this country.

Mark Gleeson

27-09-2006, 10:45

I was on 'C' coach on the 21.00 Dublin to Cork last night. I think the coach number was 4109. I could be wrong but thats what i think it was. Thats set 2 which is considered smoother than some others :eek:

We didn't leave until 21.12 from Heuston due to a 'technical issue'. It sounded like one of the doors wouldn't close properly.Most technical faults occur Dublin bound it appears, you get brake problems mainly on departure never had a door problem reported but the doors do look a bit weak

Train Host made regular announcements apologising for delay and promised to keep us updated. So there i was sitting down thinking that this wasn't too bad and that everyone was getting an unlucky trip on these trains.Can't fault the on train service end its a big improvement

The train feels as if its driving of a track that was not built for the wheels. It's a tough one to explain but there was a real 'hard' feel to the movement. The train just doesn't seem to 'fit' hopefully it will "break in". Before it was broken in the ride was actually quite nice

To be honest in parts it was as comfortable as travelling to Waterford from Limerick Junction :D :eek:

PIS and cleanliness were all spot on and make me feel we may be getting "there". As long as those standards are kept up people will enjoy the journey.Its a great train once you are not moving

I hope this gives some more feedback on the trip but i can't help but think that things will get better and we may have turned a corner on rail travel for the average traveller in this country. Cheers Brian, feedback is essential the more we have the better bargaining position, we are seeing patterns now, even with limited data we know the Mk4 train is in serious trouble. Like everything in this country its half arsed, train looks great once you don't look at the Cork end, the interior is nice and so on but the ride is utterly dire

I've got 8 significant incidents of delay for the Mk4 train reported this month, thats against it running about 220 services this month so far, 6 of those incidents where directly related to it being a Mk4, 5 related to a incident of technical failure of the coaches. The reliability figure comes in at about one incident per 6000 miles to make sense of that the rather more complex railcars used in Dublin manage 30,000 miles, DART 80,000 miles

Mark Gleeson

03-10-2006, 18:17

6000 mpc is about right I hear

The hot news is the is one modified coach with the better suspension in service, we have no idea which coach which train

James Shields

11-10-2006, 20:48

6000 miles sounds pretty disasterous, alright. I'd like to suggest that it's just teething problems, but they've probably had the longest testing period of any train in the country, and the 29Ks have been bullet-proof pretty much since day 1. On top of that, the Enterprise coaches have had teething problems since they were introduced ten years ago, and they're still not resolved.

How do the Mk3's compare? That would be a fairer comparison than EMUs or DMUs.

Shall we be sending an expedition to find the modified coach?

Mark Gleeson

12-10-2006, 14:17

6000 MPC not bad really but still a railcar is infinitely more complex. These are not show stoppers but things like sticky doors and trouble with parking brakes enough to hold you up for a few minutes

We have no stats on the Mk3 but I've never experienced a single failure on a Mk3, its always worked, no dodgy brakes, no failed suspension so its clearly waaaaaaaaay better

We don't know which coach it is, and since sets swap around we can't pick it out. From what I know its a standard class coach and might be number 4142

comcor

12-10-2006, 15:06

MrX

13-10-2006, 13:41

The parking brake issue seems to be a problem for the enterprise, I wonder if the control panel on the 201 is the common issue here rather than the coaches themselves?

The 201 doesn't really have to interact much with the MK3 coaches, it just pulls them and applies air brakes. It's not very complex
The relationship with the CDE or Enterprise sets is a bit more complex in so far as they've parking brakes and other systems on board.

While the failures on the MK3 weren't generally bad enough to stop the train I've seen plenty:

1) Air con / heating - very very regularly fails or is set up incorrectly so that you've a very uncomfortable journey.
2) Internal doors, invariably broken down or locked out making the a/c problems worse + adding a lot of noise.
3) I had a light fitting fall on my head in the doorway area of a MK3 recently. Not heavy enough to do any damage though, just a plastic light shade type thing.
4) The lights all went out when we left platform 11 at heuston as the train took a sharp turn. Seemed like a loose connector between coaches.
5) Intercom systems rarely work properly
6) I've seen doors stick and have to be reclosed quite a few times. Apparently the MK3 doors were highly problematic when they were first introduced. They've calmed down though since.
7) I have been on a MK3 where the suspension seemed dodgy. Ended up with a very bumpy ride like as if a damper had failed or something.
8) I wittnessed a member of staff being hit in the head by a falling door in the dining car one day. It looked extremely painful. A hinged door that closes up the bar area seemed to fall open on his head. (Poor design / poor modification of the original design.. either way it was dangerous)

Just to add a bit of balance to the argument :) The MK3s ain't perfect either !

Mark Gleeson

13-10-2006, 13:55

Items 2 through 7 have all occured on the Mk4, the AC works thats about the only difference

2Funki4Wheelz

01-11-2006, 09:48

Mark Gleeson

01-11-2006, 09:59

Actually I'm told there there are 2 sockets inside the coach at the luggage rack end, very hard to find but they are there

Should be on the 11:00 am to Cork on Saturday next so a photo might be poosible

Though IE will deny it there is a serious ongoing maintenance issue with the locomotives, they may be rated at 3200hp but on the ground due to a amazing mess in Inchicore few if any come close to the standard this costs 10-15 minutes between Dublin and Cork since the train won't make it much above 85mph, we have been able to confirm the cause and can confirm the effect. The locomotives are not defective they simply are missing a very basic maintenance proceedure

Thomas J Stamp

01-11-2006, 23:22

5.30 mk4 from Cork this morning, 25 mins late arriving in Portarlington, 25 mins late into Heuston, made up no time and very slow approaching Heuston - the driver did make an announcement and apologise - 'due to slippage caused by wet leaves'. First time I've heard that reason on an intercity.

And as an aside

Spotted a single socket opposite the toilet door in the corridor into the carriage. Even in the first seat you'd nead a long lead.

The leaves are a, erm, red herring. As Mark has pointed out, the engines are not tuned properly, as such they dont have the power to push the train out of cork fast enough, thats why its late, its been that late since it was introduced, and there were no leaves falling then. In actual fact, if leaves were an issue, it would be later.

It's not leaves. It's stupidity.

Mark Gleeson

06-11-2006, 09:54

It seems that IE know we know, for the first and second time ever I travelled above 90 mph on a Mk4, all the way to 101 mph and the difference between a weak locomotive and a good one is incredible and exposes the timetable for the joke it is when 15+ minutes can be sliced off a point to point time, again driver confirmed at Heuston that it was one of the few good ones which again proves that there is a problem

And the power sockets they are behind seats 05 and 06, last seats on the left side if you walk through a coach towards Cork

The ride is better than it was, its getting closer to being ok and it is fairly good at 100 mph but you still feel everything and the werid forward backwards motion appeared again this time while being pulled, last time it happened to me the train was being pushed

And can confirm that set 4001 does not have the test coach with the better suspension

MrX

06-11-2006, 10:27

On the booking system when you're reserving a seat is the pointy locomotive displayed really a loco or the DVT?

I get quite confused when i'm trying to book online and usually end up facing the wrong way :P

packetswitch

06-11-2006, 10:34

Is there a reliable way (either from the seat reservation or from general knowledge) to know which Dublin-Cork trains are MkIVs and which are not?

Mark Gleeson

06-11-2006, 10:43

Seat booking will in most cases give it away

A Mk4 looks like this http://www.platform11.org/images/booking/mk4_std_coach_c.jpg the airline style seating in the coach centre gives it away

However the seat reservations are often set incorrectly so a different train shows up

The list, definite
9:00, 11:00, 19:00 and 21:00 Dublin Cork Mon-Sat
5:30, 9:30, 13:30, 15:30 Cork Dublin Mon-Sat

The possibles (happened on Saturday last)
15:00 Dublin Cork Mon-Sat
19:30 Cork Dublin Mon-Sat

Sunday remains a great unknown but
10:00, 13:00 and 16:00 Dublin Cork
12:30, 19:30 Cork Dublin

Don't forget engineering works mid morning will delay the 9:30 ex Cork and the 11:00 ex Dublin

Kildare Commuter

17-11-2006, 14:38

0700 Dublin->Cork this morning was a Mk 4

Thomas J Stamp

17-11-2006, 14:47

Ah. Presumably last nights 19.00.

Mark Gleeson

17-11-2006, 14:48

Word is the 7:00 Dublin Cork and 11:30 Cork Dublin and the 16:20 Fridays only Dublin Cork are now run by a Mk4,

2Funki4Wheelz

24-11-2006, 10:21

Just a little thing to add to the wonderful MK4.
Got the 21:00 last night, walking through into a carriage and the glass door closed on me, trying to squish me, waved my arms about and only because someone was walking towards me set the sensor off so it opened. So I guess they're only outward sensors (not like lift doors with something in the frame or electric car windows with a pressure sensor?)

Mark Gleeson

24-11-2006, 11:13

If you do happen to be on a Mk4 and you hear a loud thud unlike the normal sound effects you get under the floor and you just happen to be sitting at the coach end, find and tell the train manager as it indicates a much larger problem

If the coach becomes wildly unstable after the thud, thats why they invented the communcation cord, which incidently doesn't directly apply the brakes

Passenger last week hear thud, told train manager and they stopped and found something broken

hhf8

27-11-2006, 15:12

Mark Gleeson

27-11-2006, 15:20

The door will open, just wait a second or two, latest accessibilty regulations seem to require it since things would be confusing if the door opened if you where partially sighted

Manually opening the door in most cases will break it so it won't close again, a few have shattered for reasons unknown

MrX

27-11-2006, 17:48

I've seen quite a few people forcing them open. It's not the most intuitive design.

Perhaps IE could put some "AUTOMATIC DOOR - DO NOT SLIDE"

hhf8

27-11-2006, 20:05

i was touching the silver handle,my thinking was,thats the sensor!,turns out there just slow:)

Mark Gleeson

27-11-2006, 20:17

Its by design not a bug per say

hhf8

27-11-2006, 23:09

yep,slap a sticker on so,there's one on the mk3 isn't there?

James Shields

28-11-2006, 00:19

Has anyone experienced the improved suspension yet? There's been a set in the coach shed at Connolly for the last few weeks. They sometimes leave the side door open and you can catch a glimpse of the DVT from the car park. Occasionally you can see the end coach poking out too.

Unfortunately I haven't managed to catch any numbers, so I can't tell whether it's one set that's been there the whole time, or several have made the trip.

Mark Gleeson

28-11-2006, 10:05

On the 6th visit now,
3 sets with the modifications possibly 4
1 under modification now

The works don't seem to be about ride improvements seems more like swapping out the failure prone parts that used to work loose that would go someway to sorting out the problems

Haven't experienced it yet but I hear its an improvement that said last two journeys it was fine, even when I sat in a coach which had serious complaints made about it in the past for swaying around it was fine. The advice as always is to avoid coach G and stick as close to coach C as possible once you do its totally acceptable. Apart from August and September I haven't heard any complaints about the ride from passengers, its a second level issue its only when you mention it that its picked up

There is one coach with serious modifications which CAF shipped over about 3 months ago its in service just don't know which one it is

hhf8

28-11-2006, 10:32

Mark Gleeson

28-11-2006, 10:51

yep,it was there last night,aswell as the loco outside, btw did u notice the bogies on the flatcar at fairview?,they didn't look like dart ones,maybe they've been replacing them

Been through this before they are DART ones they arrived late last week, totally normal and routine for the last 20 years, nothing to do with the Cork train

hhf8

28-11-2006, 11:08

ah rite,thought so,just wondering.

IHIR

28-11-2006, 14:53

had booked a seat on internet for yesterdays 7am train - got to train and escorted on carriage by yellow jumper but then told sit anywhere as there had been a mistake and the allocating was all wrong. When i was leaving the train then I noticed the carriage used for all the reservations was a carriage that can hold wheelchairs, i.e had all the space down one end. Might be nothing unusual in that but there was no one in a wheel chair and seems mad to use one of those as the allocated seating carriage. Think carriage no was 7147.

On return journey at 1pm, intercom was rubbish and air conditioning not working, it was very warm.

neither train was a mk4

Mark Gleeson

28-11-2006, 15:06

The ongoing seat reservations farce continues

7am ex Cork is still mean't to be a Mk3 but the seat reservation people where told its a Mk4, likewise for the 7am and 1pm out of Dublin, depending on what isn't broken the 7am ex Dublin is Mk4 not this week though

On a Mk4 coach you can in fact reserve the wheelchair space online, not quite sure how it works but it does ensure no one gets left behind and it can carry 7 wheelchairs which is more than twice what the actual minimum requirement, where a number of wheelchairs are to be carried a set of seats can be removed on the older coaches to provide space

Tip for all on the 15:00 Dublin Cork and 19:30 Cork Dublin if you are booking a seat book a seat below number 42 and if it goes wrong you should end up in the first class coach

Oisin88

28-11-2006, 19:05

Tip for all on the 15:00 Dublin Cork and 19:30 Cork Dublin if you are booking a seat book a seat below number 42 and if it goes wrong you should end up in the first class coach
So have they got rid of the grumpy ticket checker in Cork who sends you off to fend for your own ticket at the back of the train?

Mark Gleeson

29-11-2006, 09:44

So have they got rid of the grumpy ticket checker in Cork who sends you off to fend for your own ticket at the back of the train?
No your ticket says A37 say you take seat A37, in fact as far as I remember the ticket doesn't have first or standard printed on it.

Its pretty hard for the train manager to shift you from the seat if its the one shown on your ticket, it may be in first class but its IE's fault that what they offered as a standard seat is now a first class one

I played this game in Thurles a while back and the 3 of us with booked seats sat in first (seeing the wrong train in the distance I made sure we got into coach A) and the train manager didn't stop us, guy on the platform in Thurles tried to put us off

markpb

06-12-2006, 15:06

Martin Cullen just stood up in the Dail and said there were (and had been) no problems with the new CDEs (or at least none that he had been told about). He also said that they were state of the art and first class :rolleyes: and that an hourly service would be introduced on 1st January. Maybe someone in IR/CIE should let him in on the secret ;)

Mind you, he also said that the reason DB and IR get the lowest subsidy rate in Euro was because they were more efficient that their European counterparts so they don't need a higher percentage. *bangs head*

Derek Wheeler

06-12-2006, 20:56

Word is leaking out about these heaps of junk. Cullen is wrong. IE don't want to tell him the truth. Latest word I received today suggests that Cork hourly services will not be introduced in January as planned and are postponed indefinetly, due to ongoing problems with the new trains. The defered timetable may be very different to the one expected.

There's also a rumour that IE are suing CAF of Spain (The builders of the new trains) and that CAF are suing IE for non payment of the bill. If any of this turns out to be fact and its extremely likely, then I foresee a lot of egg on a lot of faces. Mid january is the time to watch closely.

2Funki4Wheelz

07-12-2006, 09:53

Hmmm, the 5:30 Cork to Dublin arrived in Portarlington as near to on time as it has in months. It's amazing what a webchat can do.....

portarlington_user

07-12-2006, 14:55

Hmmm, the 5:30 Cork to Dublin arrived in Portarlington as near to on time as it has in months. It's amazing what a webchat can do.....

....BUT we could nearly have walked to work faster than the speed it crawled at :rolleyes:

kilman

07-12-2006, 15:49

Originally Posted by 2Funki4Wheelz
Hmmm, the 5:30 Cork to Dublin arrived in Portarlington as near to on time as it has in months. It's amazing what a webchat can do.....
....BUT we could nearly have walked to work faster than the speed it crawled at

It wasn't too bad. By my watch it was 8:30 when it stopped on the outskirts of Heuston(ie platform 7)

Mark Gleeson

07-12-2006, 15:54

Next year it leaves Cork 5:15 (as it did in 2005) and arrives at 8:25

2Funki4Wheelz

08-12-2006, 12:34

Last night on the 21.00, an old lady went into a carriage at the back as it was the first open door (it had a steel floor/has no seats)
The host spotted this and sprinted down from 1st class to guide her to the real carriages. I love those hosts :)

Thomas J Stamp

08-12-2006, 12:47

Last night on the 21.00, an old lady went into a carriage at the back as it was the first open door (it had a steel floor/has no seats)

The fact that this passenger assumed this was a normal passenger area says so much about Irish Rail

Mark Gleeson

08-12-2006, 13:03

The luggage van is rather well appointed

2Funki4Wheelz

11-12-2006, 11:11

Mark Gleeson

11-12-2006, 11:15

5:30 from Cork 20 mins late arriving in Portarlington. Didn't make up the time and 20 mins late into Heuston.
Apology on PA for 20 min delay caused by a "technical fault at Kent Station".Most likely the brake test

Also, on the 21.00 out of Heuston last night (10/12/06) train sat for 10 mins in Inchicore, apology on the PA but no reason given.
Did another train pull alongside? IE are well known for doing staff changes on the move, experienced it myself

2Funki4Wheelz

11-12-2006, 11:27

Did another train pull alongside? IE are well known for doing staff changes on the move, experienced it myself

I was thinking of something like that, but I only saw one go in the opposite direction too fast for anything like that.

Mark Gleeson

11-12-2006, 11:32

Well when the drivers swap you don't see the other train till after the other guy moves off

At that hour of night no other reason to stop other than staff, and lets face it the railway is run for the staff not the passengers, we even get this monkey business on the DART and I'm not talking about Fairview

Mark Gleeson

15-12-2006, 14:57

Great laugh today 9:30 Cork Dublin

IT went nuts on coach D, but that wasn't all about 2 miles from Lisduff (the quarry beyond Templemore) the PA awakes in the usual robo voice

Due to a mechnical fault on the train there may be a need to detrain, remain onboard until the driver instructs you to leave

Or something close to that

About 15 seconds later the brakes come on hard and I mean as hard as they go and we go from 80-85mph to about 60 mph now of course there is a 70 limit through Lisduff but we dropped to 60 mph which got me somewhat worried

At this point people get really concerned around me, worst case its a suspension bolt nothing that hasn't happened before.

Then the PA does the driver contacting train manager chime and the train manager comes on and instructs us to ignore it

comcor

15-12-2006, 15:17

Next week, I get my first run up to Dublin since these were brought in.

The 9:30am set ex-Cork will be a CDE, but the 9pm set ex-Dublin will still be a Mark III.

Is that correct?

Mark Gleeson

15-12-2006, 15:25

All Mk4 next week, in fact today should have been all Mk4 bar the 10:40/14:30 but the citygold from Cork this morning was Mk3 since there was a Mk4 breakdown in Heuston last night

21:00 ex Dublin has been Mk4 since September

portarlington_user

15-12-2006, 15:53

Mark Gleeson

15-12-2006, 15:57

I was back in coach F and apart from being quite wobbly there where no funny noises I picked up on

The noise to listen for is a solid thump under the floor that might indicate a suspension bolt failure

IHIR

18-12-2006, 11:07

got mk4 on friday on 13.30 cork to dublin - just took off and got to just past the tunnel at kent station where the train stopped for 10/15 minutes, no explanation, no apology - got in on time though

Mark Gleeson

18-12-2006, 11:11

Did another Mk4 pass you? Sounds like a swap from the 11:00 ex Dublin

That was set 4005 when it left Heuston at 9:00 am it stopped at Inchicore for 20 seconds

IHIR

18-12-2006, 12:41

Did another Mk4 pass you?

I didnt think so but it may have - either way it shouldnt have happened

2Funki4Wheelz

19-12-2006, 09:40

Due to arrive 7:35 in Portarlington, arrived at 8.05 after the station intially announcing a 20 min delay, they changing to a 29 minute delay.

Announcement on train when we boarded to "apologise the the passengers and also to those who have just boarded" (more passengers??) for the delay which was due to electrical failures between Ballybrophy and Port and (I think) Thurles and Templemore.

Got into Heuston at about 8:50, PA announcements there apologising for inconvenience too.

Dying to see how the service goes when it gets pushed back by 10 mins in Jan. Will I ever see 8:30 on the clock in Heuston?? :confused:

Mark Gleeson

19-12-2006, 10:05

There is a well known electrical fault which halts the train when driven from the pointy end

I got stuck in Kildare for 45 minutes as a result in the past

portarlington_user

19-12-2006, 13:52

Will I ever see 8:30 on the clock in Heuston?? :confused:

I got this train on Saturday just gone - it arrived near enough on time, went at a normal train speed up, and I saw 8.29 on the clock in Heuston. Why can't they do it the rest of the week??

Mark Gleeson

19-12-2006, 14:02

Since Monday to Friday there is a train ahead of it arriving at 8:25 and if that one is 30 seconds late so are you

It has been offically recognised that the timetable was impossible should be sorted next year

2Funki4Wheelz

20-12-2006, 14:46

:mad: Unreal - just got an email from a mate.
She went for the 21.00 last night, which left late for starters and then sat outside Kildare for 40 minutes - only getting into Port at 22.45.

I'll get more details but if anyone was on it, do share - the amount of 21.00's going late in the last while seems a bit OTT.

EDIT
Right - MK4, didn't depart until around 21.20, no reason given.
Reached Kildare at 21:55 after an extra stop at Newbridge.
Announcement outside Kildare train was waiting for platform clearance and train would be off again in 5 mins. This became over 30 mins.
Free tea and coffee offered.

(and tell me if this should be in the Up to Date Travel info forum instead)

Thomas J Stamp

20-12-2006, 15:37

(and tell me if this should be in the Up to Date Travel info forum instead)

Not really................... since it happened last night.

2Funki4Wheelz

20-12-2006, 15:50

Not really................... since it happened last night.

:p You know what I meant

2Funki4Wheelz

22-12-2006, 09:57

21.00 - last night, most reserved seats I've ever seen and a queue to the front door.
No yellow t-shirts, (unsurprising), didn't board until about 20.50 with no preference for the reserved ticketholders. Host hid in first class, as always.
There was a few people turfed out of seats by their rightful owners, some people just didn't see or know about the little electronic name displays.
But not that bad, everyone very civilised!

Ridewise: I was in Coach C, it was the 4006 which was very rocky between Heuston and Clondalkin and again between Monasterevin and Portarlington.

5:30 - this morning, +15 mins late in Port (as was I :o ), no announcements on board, unscheduled stops at Kildare and Newbridge which didn't show on the electronic display which kept saying Heuston. Despite lateness and stops, got into Heuston at 8:38.

Mark Gleeson

22-12-2006, 10:24

21.00 - last night, most reserved seats I've ever seen and a queue to the front door.
No yellow t-shirts, (unsurprising), didn't board until about 20.50 with no preference for the reserved ticketholders. Host hid in first class, as always.The issue of missing hosts has been discussed with management as has the invisable yellow t shirts

Ridewise: I was in Coach C, it was the 4006 which was very rocky between Heuston and Clondalkin and again between Monasterevin and Portarlington. Rides crap anyway through those sections, 4006 has the modifications you will notice them a lot less swaying around, its been very wet recently which doesn't help

2Funki4Wheelz

22-12-2006, 10:32

its been very wet recently which doesn't help

Wet? In Ireland?? :eek: :eek: No wonder we're not prepared for crazy weather like that
:D

tbh - most of the hosts are very good and walk up and down and help people find seats when it's full etc but definitely for boarding they mind the rich people.

Mark Gleeson

22-12-2006, 10:40

Wet? In Ireland?? :eek: :eek: No wonder we're not prepared for crazy weather like that
:D It unstabilises embankments,

tbh - most of the hosts are very good and walk up and down and help people find seats when it's full etc but definitely for boarding they mind the rich people.Name and shame there aren't many of them and given its the 21:00 its a Cork one

Citygold is mean't to have its own host

comcor

22-12-2006, 11:43

Next week, I get my first run up to Dublin since these were brought in.

The 9:30am set ex-Cork will be a CDE, but the 9pm set ex-Dublin will still be a Mark III.

Is that correct?

I've been offline with a bust computer all week, but a quick follow up to this.

The best news was that both trains actually arrived a little early. God bless timetable padding...

I was very impressed on the 9:30 up to Dublin. The customer service was at a level I hadn't expected of Irish Rail. The 21:00 to Cork was more like the IE of old. No trolley because of staff shortages, just the standard ticket checker, but no sign of a train manager.

PIS worked in both directions. On the way back it announced that passengers for Kerry could change in Mallow, which is not the case on that train. I was wondering if there was any chance of a quiet carriage where passengers could just read the display and not need to hear the incessant announcements in two languages.

I didn't find the ride quality to be problematic (I was in coach D to Dublin and coach F to Cork). It did seem to sway more than I remembered between Charleville and Limerick Junction, but if anything, it was better between Mallow and Cork where the springiness in the Mark IIIs meant that it never stopped bouncing.

Reserved seats were clearly indicated on the train although, there was no indication of who had actually reserved them.

As a side note, the train was very crowded after Limerick Junction with people standing from Port Laoise onwards.

And it stops too much. Cork-Dublin trains should only stop in Mallow (with connections to Kerry and future Cork suburban), Thurles (with a connection to Limerick using the bay platform) and Port Laoise (with connections to Dublin suburban). Everything else is unneccessary.

Mark Gleeson

22-12-2006, 12:01

If its a Mk4 there must be a train manager on board, its the rules

He or she is probably hiding in first class they seem to do that on the 21:00

From January way fewer stops at most 5 generally only 3 or 4

sean

22-12-2006, 12:28

Have the inital problems with these trains been sorted out now?

MrX

23-12-2006, 11:17

I was on a MK4 CityGold coach to Cork yesterday and I have to say that there were no problems at all. Service was excellent, my luggage was stowed in the luggage car as it was oversized, the train manager was very attentive, seats were excellent (reclining mechanism is better than in business class on many planes!)
In-seat audio worked, laptop power sockets worked, it was clean and tidy.

The ride seemed as good as MK3, didn't notice any bumps/shakes/rattles.

Perhaps I was on a coach that has received the necessary modifications?

The announcement system worked pefectly too. Even announcing "Mind the gap" as the doors opened at Kent Station Cork.

Only slight glitch was that we departed Heuston a couple of mins late. This was explained over the PA. Apparently we were waiting on a signal and couldn't leave the platform until it changed colour.
We arrived in Cork within 3 mins of the due time.

Mark Gleeson

23-12-2006, 11:46

Since we know the set that hit the debris in Templemore was 4004, all servicable Mk4 sets have the modifications, 4004 doesn't

Its is a big improvement, the ride is always better the further down the train you are, its still not perfect and I get a continuous vibration added to a occasional forwards and backwards motion

First is cool, the seats are great

Mark Gleeson

29-12-2006, 19:39

Good news is that

1) The 13 zero hours pa has been changed to 13 hundred hours
2) The ride modifications are a massive improvement

Bad news

1) Internal doors seem to be locked open on all trains
2) There was no trolley service on the 13:00 today
3) Electronic seat reservations where broken as well

I can as well confirm the stuttering PA problem, I only noticed it when the PA said Heuston and repeated the exact same message 5 minutes later and said Dublin Heuston, it seemed to have trouble with it en route

The customer service end was not up to standard either

Mark Gleeson

05-01-2007, 13:59

The interior doors where working on the 5:30 this morning :)

The 9:00 Dublin Cork seemed to have problems with its brakes and what is this a orange loco on the end

Bad news is IE have little chance of delivering the timetable on Jan 14th

Out of 8 trains
2 have yet to enter service, one of which is still undergoing modifications
1 has been withdrawn with accident damage (unknown duration), also needs modifications (7 days work)

So 3 short, 10 days to go

This means not enough coaches to cover the expanded Limerick service

Colm Moore

08-01-2007, 03:21

The 0830 ex-Cork isn't a direct service, so presumably that takes some of the pressure off.

Surely there is a spare set?

Mark Gleeson

08-01-2007, 08:16

Morning from Tralee is regularly full

They need 7 Mk4 sets and 1 spare, only 5 are currently on the books as available, there wont be a spare on Jan 14th. The current record is 3 breakdowns in 9 hours. Set 8 is still undergoing modifications in Connolly, set 4 still needs them, sets 7 and 8 have yet to carry a passenger

All Dublin Cork and Dublin Limerick sets must be 100 mph capable so you need the right kind of spare

2Funki4Wheelz

09-01-2007, 09:13

Repeated announcements on the train from about 8.20 onwards looking for a Doctor or Nurse on the train, don't know what went on.
Are the hosts trained first aiders? (Or the ticket checkers or are there any requirement like that?)

MrX

09-01-2007, 11:10

I know that there's one crashed set, but what's holding up the other two ?

I'm assuming they're likely to call a MK3 set back into service on the route if there's a shortage?

Mark Gleeson

09-01-2007, 11:14

4004 is damaged following the incident in Templemore. This set also needs 1 weeks work of suspension modifications

Sets 4007 and 4008 have not carried a passenger yet. Set 4008 is in Connolly undergoing modifications

The problem is if you get a Mk3 set in it has to come from somewhere and since they are 100 mph capable it could lead to chaos in the timetable

MrX

09-01-2007, 13:17

Well there's not a whole lot they can do about 4004. All we can do is hope it gets back into service sooner rather than later.

Was the damage very extensive?

What's going on with 4007 though that it's not in passenger service yet !?

I assume 4008 will be ready soon ish?

Mark Gleeson

09-01-2007, 15:01

4004 isn't that badly damaged but needs repair

4008 arrived Connolly week before Christmas and is still hiding in the shed.

Mark Gleeson

09-01-2007, 19:42

Very interesting this evening Mk4 set 4001 was in Connolly, sounds like broken suspension again

hhf8

09-01-2007, 21:48

4008 didn't seem to be in connolly 2nite,it was dark tho

2Funki4Wheelz

12-01-2007, 09:18

Gremlin attack on the 5:30 today. It was engine 4001 and from around Clondalkin on, someone was having a play with the automated announcements.

It started with a random, very London Underground 'Mind the Gap', then a few minutes later the long trolley service announcement.

Then at Heuston there was a fault with the doors which wouldn't open to let us off. Driver made an announcement after a minute or so, saw some orange jacket guys running up and down outside and then the doors opened.

MrX

12-01-2007, 10:07

Perhaps the computer's taking wild cat strike action ?

seamus kilcock

12-01-2007, 13:33

Is Paddy Power offering odds on a wild cat strike by the 'Rebels' on this coming Sunday or/and Monday?

Mark Gleeson

12-01-2007, 14:34

I would not rule that out, bear in mind we got the timetable on Monday staff got it same time

The train itself is going to cause chaos, much tighter turnaround way higher daily mileage

Thomas J Stamp

12-01-2007, 14:39

For those who like this kind of stuff the loco on the 7.00 form Cork was Oranjie.

comcor

13-01-2007, 13:13

I was on the 21:00 Dublin-Cork last night. It appeared to be set 4007 (though, I'm not 100% certain of how to look for this), so that may indicate that it has now entered service.

The PIS wasn't working. It made announcements in Heuston, but with no visual display. After this, there were no PIS announcements (audio or video), although all stops were clearly called by the train manager as was the welcome aboard message after every stop. The map by the door stopped updating after we got to Mallow (Why have these been hidden where nobody can see them anyway?).

Unlike my last experience on the 21:00, where the train manager was nowhere in sight, this one was very thorough. She made regular patrols of the train, tying back curtains, removing newspapers and rubbish from tables and overhead racks.

No trolley service and the snack bar closed after Limerick Junction.

Also, when they've made such an effort to make the train manager look so professional, what's the idea with the ticket checker still being in the grubby old irish Rail sweater?

Mark Gleeson

13-01-2007, 18:13

No trolley service and the snack bar closed after Limerick Junction.

Also, when they've made such an effort to make the train manager look so professional, what's the idea with the ticket checker still being in the grubby old irish Rail sweater?

Both issues was brought to the attention of the manager in charge earlier this week

MrX

13-01-2007, 20:29

I honestly think that they need to do something about the ticket checkers' uniforms. They make them look like over-grown grumpy school kids.

I would dread going to work if I had to wear something like that. I can't see why they can't be provided with nicer uniforms. It'd do wonders for morale too I think.

2Funki4Wheelz

15-01-2007, 11:56

Its first day on the new timetable and the 5.15am Cork-Dub was 7 minutes late into Port but arrived in Heuston pretty much on time, give or take a minute or two by the time I saw the Heuston clock!

Bar & Cafeteria closed 5 mins after the Port stop as always.

kevin

15-01-2007, 21:56

2Funki4Wheelz

16-01-2007, 09:23

Every ticket checker I saw today was decked out in the new uniform, tie and all.

Well the guy on the 5:15 Cork-Dub yesterday and today had an old looking jumper with 'unsightly bobbling' as the washing powder ads used to say. I see a mix of the shirt & tie and the jumpers (I know I'd be in jumpers in the winter). I'm sure the staff member has to put in a request for replacement clothes?

Mark Gleeson

16-01-2007, 09:33

Offically the new uniform hit yesterday its got green in the tie to match the intercity livery

MrX

16-01-2007, 17:43

Apparently the 07:30 this morning ex-cork had an orange loco. One of my collegues commented that it was a "new train coupled to an old train there was an orange carriage on the front"

hhf8

16-01-2007, 18:05

one of the enterprise's now has a CDE liveried loco

sean

17-01-2007, 17:05

That's been routine for ages now.

CafedeLuxe

18-01-2007, 13:19

Had my first ever experience of the new train last week and was quite impressed overall - my comparison is with the UK; I'm based in London and travel intercity extensively.

I was on the 09.30 Cork - Dublin on 12th; left on the minute and arrived on the minute - admittedly after a leisurely 2.45 journey time. A few observations:
- I upgraded from standard to first; for 11.50 euro extra on what is a very cheap walk-on single fare by UK standards this was excellent value (cf London to Stoke-on-Trent standard class single at that time - 91 pounds. Sort of comparable distance; but half the journey time(!)).

- Very comfortable seating although the sliding door behind me was permanently open and, eventually, draughty. I eventually asked the Woman in Black if it could be closed. 'It's because people are getting on' Hmm. This was LJ and it had been like that since Cork. A second request via the ticket collector eventually got some action from WiB which was to move me to seats in the middle of the coach but, I subsequently noticed, the door also to be taken off automatic. I think it was open more to facilitate the catering staff service who were frequently going back and forth.

- I didn't avail myself of the breakfast (though it looked good) but had a coffee later (good service, ghastly coffee). Catering announced its close-down at Kildare, I think.

- Ride was a bit rocky throughout but I understand that this was more due to the track.

- Automatic announcements were audible and made after leaving every station; train crew station approach announcements were also audible but a bit 'last minute'.

- I noticed some impressive-looking station redevelopment/ refurbs going on (Thurles) but bigger platform signs are needed - they're a bit too discreet, and also seemed to vary in style between stations and surely the word 'station' isn't really necessary as well?

-The LUAS was also impressive going over to Connolly - but nobody had asked me at Cork when I bought my ticket whether I wanted an add-on so I had to fumble around with coins.

-Later the same day my mother travelled down on the Enterprise (16.00 ex-Belfast) which was over 30 minutes late.....

Mark Gleeson

20-01-2007, 21:52

Once again a case study in how not to run a railway

14:00 Heuston Cork set 4007
Arrived Heuston 13:37 stood in the queue to 13:52 they appeared to be having serious problems with the pre departure tests.

Boarded and had to eject someone out of my seat, the yellow shirts made no attempt to block people from boarding the reserved coach without a reservation

There was a coffee stain on the side of the table in C33

Catering trolley didn't roll until after Portarlington and was brought through the train without serving anyone before working from the back. No passenger for Thurles in coaches C or D had enough time for a snack from the trolley.

Coach 4135 was showing a systems fault which is typically a broken toilet.

There was no safety or evacuation notice on doors D & C of coach 4137, the one at the other end was pealing off the wall

The electronic map was most confused when the train was just south of Ballybrophy the map had us 16 miles away in Portlaoise

Train host was not visible

And why oh why do train staff have to smoke at the platform?

17:00 Heuston Cork
No Mk4 available so a push pull Mk3 was used resulting in a 15+ minute delay by Thurles

17:30 Cork Heuston set 4007
Arrived 9 minutes down in Thurles

Boarded and had to eject someone out of my seat

Catering trolley was locked up in the buffet which closed at Portarlington

The coffee stain on the side of the table in C33 was still there

Coaches 4407, 4135, 4137 & 4138 where all showing a systems fault which is typically a broken toilet, which I can confirm in 4137.

Interestingly we slowed to a crawl at Portlaoise as if to drop off or collect a package, the train in front was beyond Portarlington at this stage so no reason to slow

So once again IE can't provide a proper service and the ride has again deteriorated to the appalling

Derek Wheeler

21-01-2007, 19:37

And the roast potatoes in Hayes hotel Thurles, were like bullits. So there!:)

Told you, Mark, you should've done what I did....had more beer. Makes an IE train tolerable:D

Mark Gleeson

21-01-2007, 23:54

Well given the Mk4's tendency to breakdown you wouldn't want to be tippsy in case the need to 'detrain' in a field.

ACustomer

22-01-2007, 09:07

A relative of mine went to Cork yesterday on a CDE. She just happened to say to me that for the first time in her life she felt sick on a train. It wasn't a case of back-to-the-engine syndrome which affects some people. She remarked that the train "swayed a lot". There has been a lot said about the ride problems of the CDEs. Any other reports of them inducing nausea?

Mark Gleeson

22-01-2007, 09:13

Not the first report

Out of the 8 sets only 4006 has a decent ride, the rest are not much better than before

Advice is coaches C and D generally smoother

2Funki4Wheelz

22-01-2007, 15:33

And why oh why do train staff have to smoke at the platform?

A bit surprised this still goes on, considering most places won't let their staff smoke outside the front door of the premises or sometimes even be seen smoking in uniform in public view as part of the 'appearance' of the company.

:D And why does Derek's sig still say 'nearly'. 'Nearly' never did it.

Mark Gleeson

22-01-2007, 15:49

I've been told not to indentify the staff involved or the exact locations but have witnesses, its a image thing and it needs to be dealt with

2Funki4Wheelz

29-01-2007, 09:49

5.15 Cork Dub this morning - door jammed open 2/3rds of the way on carriage E back end. Glad the Xmas tummy has slimmed back down and I could wiggle by. I love those doors :rolleyes:

Mark Gleeson

29-01-2007, 10:15

Think the time has come to contact the RSC

Doors should not jam
Doors should be closed as they are part of the fire safety protocol
In the case of Portarlington with the short platform restriction of movement through the train by a door is a problem
Doors should not close on you
Doors should not shatter

Should note IE managers are well aware of these issues

seamus kilcock

30-01-2007, 13:16

Saw, what presumably was, the 0930 ex Cork crawling by Clondalkin at 1202 to-day Tuesday 30th Jan.
ETA Heuston 1225. Loads of padding!!!!
I think they are using Plat 5 for some of the Cork arrivals and it requires a switch from the up line to the down line for this. Not sure if this happens all the time?

Mark Gleeson

30-01-2007, 14:29

Thomas J Stamp

30-01-2007, 14:40

There is a mystery about platform 5, we know they can only park the Cork train in P4-8, P5 is special since it is accessible from both sides of Heuston

So typically arrive via the back end and leave via the front has the least impact on other trains

The padding is really noticeable if the train runs non stop Limerick Junction - Dublin

Just to make to clear to our Irish Rail fans who visit our message boards (no.2 visitor on our stats, thank you , you really ought to take out an ad) we know why the CDE HAS to use those platforms, it isn't acceptable. HOW much money did you spend on Heuston and miss that? I wouldn't have you lot rebuild my Dog Kennel

MrX

30-01-2007, 14:43

I don't quite understand?

Why does it have to use those particular platforms?

Mark Gleeson

30-01-2007, 14:53

So to explain this

The new Cork train has retention toilets, so the tanks need to be emptied. When Heuston was rebuilt platforms 4 through 8 where equipped to allow the tanks to be emptied, platforms 1 through 3 where not

The tanks can't be emptied in Cork when the train is in service so they must be emptied either at night in Cork or in Dublin on the turnaround.

As a result the Cork train must use a platform number 4 or greater in Heuston, this has led to some very weird delays of trains sitting in Inchicore waiting for a platform in a station which had several empty platforms

Anyone who travels on the Cork train will know the toilets are regularly locked off in several coaches

Roll on intercity railcars should be fun

Kildare Commuter

30-01-2007, 21:45

Just to clarify, Platform 4 is accessible from both sides of the carraige shed also

Mark Gleeson

04-02-2007, 15:36

Issue posted here some time ago

The catering PA (is situated towards the front/rear) is not software driven. The train manager manually triggers it by selecting the optional announcements screen and choosing the appropriate one from a list of about 5 or 6

So you have human error, this also explains the emergency pa I heard in December

IHIR

05-02-2007, 10:08

I wasnt on it now, someon told me form the train but apparently the Cork - Dublin train Saturday night had to stop at Portlaoise and bus up from there. €60 for that is a disgrace, presume they are entitled to some refund?

also noted on another thread about Cork transport that there was a newspaper report stating that the Cork Midleton line was given the nod by planners after the Oral hearing (good news) but instead of being operational by 2008 (as promised ad nauseam by Marty Cullen) it might now be 2010 .......or later

Mark Gleeson

05-02-2007, 10:11

20:30 from Cork is bus transfers Port Laois Dublin every Saturday till April owing to engineering works. Its been on the IE site for 3 weeks, its up at the stations and the journey planner shows the bus transfer

lasno

05-02-2007, 12:00

I was on the 1330 ex Cork to Heuston yesterday. A particular gentleman made regular visits to the toilet and made no attempt to hide the pack of cigarettes in his hand. I was seated near the end of the carriage and when the toilet door opened there was strong smell of cigarette smoke. The reason for my post is that I thought the new trains had smoke detectors fitted in the toilets!

Mark Gleeson

05-02-2007, 12:12

As did I, that assumes the train host is keeping an eye on the computer screen which would flash up a message

Was on a Mk4 recently and someone did get caught

MrX

05-02-2007, 17:52

Simple sollution to that. The smoke detector should trigger the toilet door open button :)
and a suitably embarassing announcement.

Colm Moore

08-02-2007, 14:26

Simple sollution to that. The smoke detector should trigger the toilet door open button :) and a suitably embarassing announcement.And / or a water sprinkler.

StephenM

08-02-2007, 15:00

And / or a water sprinkler.

That would solve the problem. :)

2Funki4Wheelz

08-02-2007, 15:11

That would solve the problem. :)

And auto-lock the door so the soggy body can be pulled out at the next stop and fined the appropriate penalty. Does anyone ever ever get fined?

We must ask Derek the part-time smoker his opinion :D

ESTRADE

17-02-2007, 07:03

No in seat entertainment

One toliet per coach, all of which are fully accessible and have baby changing facilities

Each coach can carry a wheelchair and has space and a restraining strap, a wheelchair passenger joined at Thurles and the doors are all wide enough

Buffet is quite different, its normal 2+2 seating to a glass partition, then there is a curved shop area all in stainless steel. The passage way through the Buffet is extremely tight, that said its not required by passengers

I don't have a full coach photo, its not easy when you have IE managers crawling over the place and passengers don't like been photographed. The trolley blocked my trip to explore the train. I did find the odometer panel and the CCTV camera. I didn't get into the first class section but its the same colour as the standard class but with 2+1 seats and table lamps

hello,

For me one (clean) toliet per coach is a good solution. In France(and on others continentalrailways companies like CFF or DB) there are two toilets in intercity carriages(corail or "Eurofima" carriages) but there is no babies facilities.

And a tank for one toliet is more reliable than 2 tanks for 2 toliets

:D

Excuse for my bad english

Best regards

Arnaud

luasifer

18-02-2007, 02:44

Do the Mk4 trains not use the same toilet system as the Mk3s? Do the Mk3 trains not have retention toilets?

Mark Gleeson

18-02-2007, 11:52

Mk3 has old fashioned non retention toilets though IE did issue a tender to convert them to retention but nothing was done

Mk4 is a retention tank and the tank is too small

luasifer

18-02-2007, 23:34

So does a non retention toilet discharge onto the tracks? I always thought that the Mk3 didnt do this. So what trains are retention ans which ones are not?

Mark Gleeson

18-02-2007, 23:45

Everything built post 1995 is retention, that means there is a tank which needs to be emptied, which frequently isn't done or the process of empting delays trains, eg the platform 5 gig in Heuston with the new train

Some genius put the tank level indicator on a Mk4 inside, you can see it yourself on the wall to the left above the computer screen. That means more hassle since a full tank can't be spotted on a external inspection.

Oisin88

06-03-2007, 17:32

I took this train this morning from Heuston to Portlaoise.

It was fairly rocky at times, including just going under the bridge at the South Circular Road. When I got out at Portlaoise I was slightly naseous, but then I didn't have any breakfast.

I skipped carriage C so that I wouldn't be sitting on anyone's pre-booked seat. D was relatively full but E had "Reserved for Railtours" on all the seats. Can the railtours people not work the computer booking (or do they just like wasting paper/spreading litter?)

The carriage I was sitting in was F on the outside but it had the big white "Carriage C" stickers all over the inside. It was coach 4102, so could IÉ already be doing a mix n' match?

Carriage E had "V 1.0.2" (or something like that) on one of the outer displays and "Heuston" on the other, despite the fact that all the other carriages had Corcaigh/Cork on them. I have seen carriages sitting in the sidings in Heuston with this message before.

There was also a minor incident where they did a full Jimi Hendrix with the PA (that means that there was a lot of feedback) but the dude later apologised for the "excessive volume."

Mark Gleeson

06-03-2007, 22:30

I took this train this morning from Heuston to Portlaoise.

It was fairly rocky at times, including just going under the bridge at the South Circular Road. When I got out at Portlaoise I was slightly naseous, but then I didn't have any breakfast.Yes the ride is dodgy in that set lots of swinging around

The carriage I was sitting in was F on the outside but it had the big white "Carriage C" stickers all over the inside. It was coach 4102, so could IÉ already be doing a mix n' match? Spotted that before Christmas

Carriage E had "V 1.0.2" (or something like that) on one of the outer displays and "Heuston" on the other, despite the fact that all the other carriages had Corcaigh/Cork on them. I have seen carriages sitting in the sidings in Heuston with this message before. That be V1.3bis 9 0 9600 n,8,1 seen same thing same train Old school IT people will understand exactly what that means

There was also a minor incident where they did a full Jimi Hendrix with the PA (that means that there was a lot of feedback) but the dude later apologised for the "excessive volume."Again same train same fault

Any chance it tell you to bail out since the train had a mechanical fault, man its a fun PA message

MrX

07-03-2007, 08:56

Applying permanent stickers to those coaches kind of defeats the purpose of the displays.

i.e. when you put a train together, it can figure out which coach is which and give you A,B,C,D,E... on the exterior displays.

The whole point of this is that a train can be reconfigured and the seating plan works itself out. According to CAF's product brochure, the coaches basically identify eachother and the system ought to be able to figure itself out.

If they do insist on applying stickers, the very least they could do is put them on the correct coaches when they recofigure things!

Feedback on the PA is possibly down to train managers not understanding that you shouldn't make a PA announcement whilst standing directly under/beside a speaker.

Those displays were displaying a default message which would indicate that the comms system between coaches isn't connected / has failed (less likely). It seems like someone's messed up the configuration of the train !

It's a bit of a joke not to get these little things right.

ooleary

07-03-2007, 15:29

That be V1.3bis 9 0 9600 n,8,1 seen same thing same train Old school IT people will understand exactly what that means

I can't explain the V1.3bis 9 0 part, probably relates to the software for the display itself.The rest of this refers to serial port settings.
9600 - data connection speed 9,600 bits per second (roughly 1.2Kb per second)
n,8,1 - no parity check, 8 bits data, 1 stop bit.

Mark Gleeson

07-03-2007, 15:35

In simple terms the computer is not plugged in and is telling us how to talk to it

Explains the behaviour seen on board

We have mentioned the issue of inconsistency of service levels on the Dublin Cork service, its very hit and miss, sometimes its brilliant other times its crap

Irish Rail seem to have gotten a little pissed off with our constant stream of reports and have deployed undercover staff on board to monitor. How 'undercover' they will be remains to be seen

MrX

07-03-2007, 18:26

Irish Rail's entire network is inconsistant. It's not just the CDE.
E.g. random availability of catering services on trains is patchy at best.
You've no idea if you'll have a MK3 or a totally unsuitable short-distance rail car on long distance trips (other than Cork-Dublin)
The enterprise self-distructs on a regular basis and passengers end up on railcars and MK2s..

The list is endless. I just hope they pull their socks up on the CDE service though, there's no longer any excuse for inconsistancy. They have the fleet! It's just a matter of getting the customer service consistantly right.

2Funki4Wheelz

08-03-2007, 22:43

21:00 Dub Cork - the last chance saloon to get home for the weary commuters of Portarlington & Portlaoise, and Cork people.

It never boards until about 20:50, despite the fact it sits there from at least 20:15. And it's freezing in Heuston at night.

But a big wave to the entertaining guy practising his juggling in the station tonight, it made the wait more bearable.

Also, I had to explain to a poor guy that the purple 'Reserved Seats - Do Not Occupy' stickers above all the seats doesn't actually mean anything unless there's a glowing orange name above them or a scrap of paper.

It was nice too to see some really scruffy orange jackets lounging around in the seats in 1st class as we boarded, I'm sure it made the 3 :eek: people glad they'd forked out extra.

Thomas J Stamp

09-03-2007, 13:48

It was nice too to see some really scruffy orange jackets lounging around in the seats in 1st class as we boarded, I'm sure it made the 3 :eek: people glad they'd forked out extra.

Those are the CAF guys. Their job is to talk sweetly in Spanish to the train when it breaks down in an effort to coax it into running on our rubbish track which hurts its feet.

It's sort of like Christiano Ronaldo, who is Portugese, not Spanish.

So be nice to them in First Class. Unless they're just lazy IE feckers who, therfore, should not only be sacked, but tied to a horse and run our of town, the swines!!!

2Funki4Wheelz

09-03-2007, 14:54

Those are the CAF guys. Their job is to talk sweetly in Spanish to the train when it breaks down in an effort to coax it into running on our rubbish track which hurts its feet.

They didn't have a Spanish look to them but the blue tinted windows could've washed out their tans to make them appear that special Irish shade of Daz white.

I can't believe you couldn't think of a Spanish footballer. Mammy's boy Reyes comes to mind instantly as a burned gunner.

Mark Gleeson

09-03-2007, 15:05

Tom has been running a undercover spy operation in Heuston. There are 2 to 3 guys from CAF in Heuston watching the new train, they have like senior IE staff first class passes. There may or may not be a senior engineer on board as well if you breakdown you will hear a PA for the CME representative to come forward.

Reliability is still rubbish, the delays in boarding are due to the pile of tests required to bring the train into service, it seems as if no one has sat down and worked out the fastest way to do them, you seem to get the doors opening and closing numerous times during the tests, in reality the entire door test can be done in four moves, unlock left, lock left, unlock right, lock right and repeat from other end

Thomas J Stamp

09-03-2007, 15:08

I can't believe you couldn't think of a Spanish footballer. Mammy's boy Reyes comes to mind instantly as a burned gunner.

I was more thining of the super-nancy category. Robben would fit well there as well. Deco as well. There are so many to choose from.

I'm very sorry to hear that you support the Arse. You poor thing.

2Funki4Wheelz

09-03-2007, 15:15

I was more thining of the super-nancy category. Robben would fit well there as well. Deco as well. There are so many to choose from.

I'm very sorry to hear that you support the Arse. You poor thing.

He's totally in the super-nancy category, he left Arsenal because he was homesick.

We're just having a rough patch, we're still beautiful. :(

P11 needs a football thread, I work with girls, and 2 guys who have no interest in football (one's a Man U supporter)

Thomas J Stamp

09-03-2007, 15:23

P11 needs a football thread, I work with girls, and 2 guys who have no interest in football (one's a Man U supporter)

Off you go and start one.

You can start with how your seasons in tatters and your manager is a tatical failure.

2Funki4Wheelz

24-04-2007, 08:57

PIS not working this morning but the host did welcome everyone on board, thanked them for using IE and announced the destination.

2Funki4Wheelz

27-06-2007, 10:47

Audio on board this morning must've been the old recording, said it was the 5:30 hours service.

Also they've replaced some of the tables on the 4set seat nearest the doors with skinny 'tables' - for accessability?

ccos

27-06-2007, 11:43

Was on the CDE last Friday and Saturday and found it to be one of the nicest trains I've travelled on for a long time (ICE excepted of course) The Interior, seating layout with tables and dining car with (ice for the bulmers) were all very good, I was able to slag my dutch missus that it puts their trains to shame. The ride quality was good (I travelled in coaches C & G)
One thing I'd like to point out is everybody in Hueston Boards towards coach C and again at Thurles everybody got into coach C and the dining car. The next day I got into coach G in Limerick Junction which had loads of space as I'd expected and a trip to the dining car confirmed what I'd seen the day before coach C was jammers.
A poster on platforms indicating coach positions relitive to the station, normal in the rest of Europe, would help alleviate this problem or do people hate travelling alone.

MrX

27-06-2007, 17:07

Yes, I have also noticed that Coach C seems to get an unusual number of people trying to board it at any station. Perhaps, the best solution would be for train staff to stand at the doors of coach C and try and encourage people to move down the train before they get in.

It seems people get into coach C and then walk into coach B and discover they're at a dead end and unless moved down the train, some sit on the floor despite the fact that there are loads of seats in E and F

Also regarding the accessible seats at the end of the coach, these should be marked as such in the online booking system. It's very annoying to arrive and discover 1) you're in a seat with a notice to give it up to disabled/elderly customers and 2) it has no usable table!

Mark Gleeson

27-06-2007, 17:40

Cork train is backwards compared to the rest of fleet which means by default everyone stands at the wrong end, particularly bad in Thurles

The wheelchair space is shown in the booking system

MrX

27-06-2007, 18:21

The wheelchair space is shown in the booking system

These are not the original wheelchair seats. These seats are at the end of the coach where the sockets are. It's a normal 4-seater set.
IE have removed the table and replaced it with a narrow ledge on the original table mounts. Clearly it's for greater accessibility, but these seats are sold as normal on the booking system. I booked them recently - had to move seats as a result as i couldn't use my laptop.

2Funki4Wheelz

28-06-2007, 07:52

These are not the original wheelchair seats. These seats are at the end of the coach where the sockets are. It's a normal 4-seater set.
IE have removed the table and replaced it with a narrow ledge on the original table mounts. Clearly it's for greater accessibility, but these seats are sold as normal on the booking system. I booked them recently - had to move seats as a result as i couldn't use my laptop.

That's them, you can see where the full size table was removed from the wall.
Bit silly having them near the socket point where laptop users want to sit.