[24-9-2010] 17:36 Connolly Wexford
 

A perfect example of everything wrong with Irish Rail

The train went through a red signal at the south end of Lansdowne Rd. No doubt in my mind of that. As the train rolled off the end of the platform a loud 'ah ****' was heard from the drivers cab followed by an emergency brake application.

Obviously it could have been a signal failure which unexpectedly put the signal to red or it could have been the driver not paying attention. We don't know but I did hear what sounded like the driver switching radio frequencies as the train passed Lansdowne as is normal which would require the driver to look away briefly.

We then sat for more than 10 minutes before we got a completely useless announcement which told us nothing beyond a 15 minute delay

Another announcement said train terminate at Bray, citing a technical problem. Which of course doesn't match Irish Rail's excuse of signal fault

Finally 40 minutes late we start to move, now terminating at Dun Laoghaire

None of the announcements were clear or in any way helpful. Some were incorrect and clearly the announcements were not honest in the information presented.

I challenged the person in charge in Dun Laoghaire who clearly was not a local, never seen him. The story of technical problem continued, he couldn't provide an answer.

The radio, CAWS and DSD systems seemed to work fine

This must have caused a nightmare for everyone trying to get to the Aviva stadium tonight. Certainly lots of IE staff at the station from 17.00 onwards, so no excuses in relation to no staff to make announcements.
25 minute delays to southbound DARTs till 20.30pm.
Northbound ok.

Done some inquiries, best data

1. Train past signal by about 20 m

2. The cab signaling gave an upgrade tone indicating the train clear to proceed as it past under the west stand. That meant the train had at least yellow proceed signal to pass over Serpentine Ave crossing.

3. For reasons unknown the signal went back to red in front of the train leaving not enough distance for the train to stop.

There was nothing wrong with the train or its equipment or driver from what we can see.

There was no justification in taking the train out of service at Dun Laoghaire as it was clearly a signal fault not driver error.

Trains were delayed northbound as well, nothing went north through Lansdowne for about 15 minutes.

What happened to all the Wexford bound passengers?

Thrown off at Dun Laoghaire forced to wait for the 18:30 Connolly Rosslare train

It was a real mess

Mark,

Was there a replacement driver sent out to the train?

Train terminated in platform 3, so no hope of onward progress.