22000 trials between Waterford-Limerick J
 

According to IRN set 52 operated a return trial service between Waterford-Tipperary. Take it that means the route will become 22k if all clear given. It seems pointless putting them on the route. Is there any reason behind the move, hope to improve numbers by have better trains etc?

22k's have been cleared to run that route within weeks of arriving and have operated services in the past so I don't see the point

Seems strange to run further trials though. It left Waterford at 07.20 and left Tip at 10.55 before joining the 13.00 to Heuston. Could the track works etc be a reason for retesting or might they just be considering higher speeds to improve times, the line should be capable as its all only a few years old. Now the 2800 could go faster if that was the reason.

It is probably part of a cunning plan of transitioning towards a railway with no passengers. It is a lot easier if you don't have to be bothered about the self-loading freight.

Very mysterious - perhaps they intend using 22ks from Monday and this was some sort of Health & Safety double check as it is probably some time since these units operated on the line. Alternately could have been a timing trial although this would be a bit pointless given that the new dis-improved service commences in a few days time.

Since when have Irish Rail done things is a logical order...

From a cost point of view would it not make more sense to keep the 2800 on the route over an 22. Its more less a double in capacity.

Could it be that they want to replace the set with a 22 to have a single type in Waterford? Might offer some interesting economies in crewing, not to mention having the option to bustitute the Waterford-LJ some mornings if a Dublin-rostered 22 woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

No economy in crewing, all staff in Waterford are trained on 22k, 2800, 071, 201, some senior staff would hold drive anything privileges

That wouldn't be the reason don't you know if the 07.10 fails they don't bother with a bus transfer just move to the 07.40...

the only reason for this transfer was just , if they did need a 22k to releif a 2800 etc , that they would be able to operate over the line . . .

Fair enough. Given the now full inventory of 22s I thought it might be a possibility that having the 28 remote based was a relative inconvenience compared to a pool of 22s, especially since that 28 is now idle 1126-1625.

22 have operated a few passenger services on the route over the last while, today most recently however I believe the 07.20 on Saturdays is always very busy and having spare stock in Waterford makes possible as those 2800 don't have the capacity.