Have the 22ks entered service
 

Have just passed a 22k train at 18.45 at Drumcondra on route to connolly the full dmds were working didnt get a chance to see if passengers were on board. Unusual time to have training are they in service?

Thats the normal training run

Not in service yet but very very soon. While we haven't the actual date yet we have some specifics in the members forum

Are they in service yet? I've been out of the loop for a few weeks.

-Shortly-
 

Its now October and no sign of the new 22000's.. The Rosslare line was promised these trains in December but now its April 2008.

Havent even started in Sligo yet and we think you're not getting them till Easter.

They will start Sligo this month, one of the hold ups was the new railcar facility in Connolly on platform 1, they just finished the resurfacing late last week.

There are three different types on order, the 3 car regional of which at least 14 of the 41 sets have arrived.
We are waiting on the first 6 coach as in the proper intercity railcar to arrive (due November for service Spring 08) and also the long distance suburban 6 car version (late 2008 for 2009 service)

why can't they use the other platforms in Connolly?
platform 1 isn't exactly convenient for anyone wishing to connec to the Dart.

whats the significance of platform 1 being ready for this use. does this mean that sligo passengers will use the new entrance that enterprise passengers are using?

also does it mean that we might see an additional commuter service around the 5 o'clock mark depart platform 4, possibly maynooth/longford?

Platform 1 has the fueling and toilet tank empting kit, the carraige shed has also been fitted

That may well be the reason, but I'm getting news that there is a problem with the fuel enroute from tank to engine and its causing the train to brake suddenly and without warning. Engine manufacturer (Mercedes apparently) are blaming the Koreans and vice versa. Electric problems have also been mentioned and its not known if the two are related.

This story has not been totally verified, so please don't hold me to it.

Everyone Mark didint say that platform 1 is going to be used just the new facility to keep the trains in good order, or am i picking this up wrong....................!!!! The Rosslare line is getting the new 22000's in Easter next year but here is the question that i need to ask. In this Decembers timetable will it be the same or will the Rosslare service be valid until Easter and then there will be a new timetable from there on with the new InterCity's in service?

P1 is where the Sligo trains will terminate, nothing new there, just that they had to put in the retention tanks so the toilets on the trains can be emptied.

This is off-topic but gives you another example of how IE never think things through: They had to do it in Heuston for the Cork Trains, but only for half the platforms. When the 22000's hit Heuston they'll have to do the other half. They should have done them all at the same time, now it'll cost more.

As for the timetable, the timetable you will see may not mention any changes for Easter (they did for Adamstown last year btw) and it is possible that the 22000 will be a straight swap for the existing stock with no timetable alterations. However, if they plan to bring new paths and/or times we will know.

hopefully then, they will use the new entrance that enterprise passengers use for sligo as well because from what i remember at the best of times the walk up from platform 1 was torture. it would be worst with luggage. also i personally think that those validation turnstiles at connolly don't suit intercity passengers.

What's wrong with validation gates?

absolutely nothing commuter wise but for the intercity passenger who has a bike or luggage it might be a bit tight, in my own opinion

The gates won't close as long as there's something in between them, I have taken rolling suitcases (among other things) through them with far less problem than the old turnstiles. I'm sure the guy at the manual gate (furthest on the right as you exit) would hold the gate open if needed.

The doors are too close to the turnstiles and all the culchies.... eh, Sligo train passengers try to get out the one turnstile.

Also the other disadvantage of using the validators is that without ticket inspections someone could get on the sligo train with a ticket for lets say clonsilla the validator wouldnt pick that up

TODAY'S RAILWAYS UK claims introduction of the 22000 has been delayed until 2008

There has been a deafening silence from IE on any possible service entry.

If they are delayed until next year, will the timetable change be postponed?

Wouldn't pay attention to that publication

The 2008 timetable won't have many changes regardless

Also the story here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...p?t=2055162226

So can we still expect them to come into service some time soon?

Yeah, "radio" IRN ran this story and it was quickly follwed up by that thread. There appears to be some confusion all right. What we do know is that there are upwards of 14 three car sets here already - more than enough to fully cater for the Sligo line and also to allow them off on runs to Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo on an ad-hoc basis when Mark3 and 2's are in for routine maintenance.

What we also know is that there are some mechanical issues and, naturally enough, industrial relations issues.

So, confusion all round. Oh, and Autumn is fast approaching its end.......

Any update on this?

There doesn't seem to be much testing (not that I could see anyway) Has the testing stopped?

20 Nov 07 From Dail Eireann Website

297. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan Information Zoom asked the Minister for Transport Information Zoom when the 120 new intercity rail cars ordered by Iarnród Éireann in 2005 and announced as part of a €460 million rail investment package will be operational; if there has been a delay in the delivery of the new intercity rail cars due to safety concerns; if any of the rail cars have been returned to the manufacturers (details supplied) to eliminate safety flaws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29550/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey): Information Zoom The current position regarding the delivery of the 183 new intercity railcars is that Iarnród Éireann has taken delivery of 60 of the cars and is currently preparing for the introduction of 9 into service on the Dublin-Sligo route. The remainder of the new fleet will be delivered and brought into service by the Spring of 2009.

Iarnród Éireann has to secure acceptance of the Safety assessment of the new rolling stock from the Railway Safety Commission before it can be introduced into service. The deployment of the railcars on particular services is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have been advised by Iarnród Éireann that none of the railcars have been returned to the manufacturers.



http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate...14-180#H14-180

Curiously we can't seem to account for 60 22k railcars, certainly we can locate 15 sets, making it 45 but the further 15 we can't.

There was a shipment via Waterford end of October, the number involved is unknown that said the quay in Waterford is limited and 6 coaches is the max shipment there, the largest shipment so far was 12 coaches via Dublin

There are no safety issues, IE probably already have the certification to carry passengers until test conditions, they got that for the Mk4 sets in March 06 didn't carry a passenger until May

Is the 9 carriages being introduced for the January timetable? Will that be enough?

9 cars seems to little (3sets) for Sligo services !

3 trains is enough to run Sligo services, but 3 carriages isn't really enough for the busy services, so at least one more set is needed (or a 6 car set).

I'd imagine there will be 1 3 car and 1 6 car set to start probably holding on to the Mk2 set

You can cover 8 departures a day in the new timetable with just 2 sets

Why would they need to keep the MK2 set when at least two 2900s would be released by the number of 22K mentioned?

IE need 5 sets to run the full Sligo service, Sligo line currently has 2 29ks + the Mk2

Timetable says intercity all trains so that leaves only the Mk2's and the 22k's. Mk2 is faster as well and the new timetable requires higher speeds.

29k's are promised elsewhere

22000 deliveries
 

IRN reported tonight that 24 sets have now been delivered, the last three on November 29.

All deliveries now appear to go to Waterford after earlier ones were split between Waterford and Dublin

The number here is irrelevant, there have been enough here since before the Summer to run the full Sligo service. I count 23 or 25 but not 24

What was to be Summer became Autumn then it went all quiet

They now have 6 weeks less the Christmas break to get 6 sets into service to match the new timetable, not likely given it took 7 months to get 8 of the Mk4 sets into service

Despite the fun and games in the UK a train quite similar to the 22k took less than 6 months to clear the red tape and entered service on time, we are currently at 8 months and counting

whats the chance that they could pull the january sligo timetable? Given that the timetables that begin sunday won't be ready until thursday, could they do this at short notice?

I will make a phone call to a mate and find out later [ if he's around ] can't promise anything.

"We're not there yet, but we are getting there"

Are we there yet. Are we there yet. Are we there yet. Are we there yet. Are we there yet. Are we there yet. ........................

:(

Not there yet and not getting there.

Got some info this afternoon on the situation, nothing I didn't already know.

IE keep saying in the next few weeks, but this close to Christmas I doubt there will be any moves

Word has reached us that in fact Irish Rail do not hold any safety certificate on the 22k railcar which permits the carriage of passengers.

That was the confirmed situation Thursday lunchtime and I understand it is still the situation

Normal process is for the safety authority to issue an interim certificate to allow limited trial service, then a full certificate.

Given this and 6 weeks to go till Jan 21 its not looking good at all, nothing will happen over Christmas so its more like 4-5 weeks to sort this.

It is not possible to operate the new timetable without a number of the new railcars in service

cough week 1 feb cough if they can stop the bits falling off [ you didn't hear it here ] ;)