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Originally Posted by AZ1
For example, there is a curve that by-passes Kilkenny which allow trains to not waste time going into the Kilkenny triangle, but instead to run direct to Waterford. What was the strategy behind that particular curve?
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The more knowledgable members will no doubt answer this for you in more detail, but as far as I know the Kilkenny curve was built back in the days when there were container trains travelling from Waterford, as reversing a huge long freight train out of Kilkenny was probably a pain in the arse...
Looking at the fleet of trains that are on order, the fact that in a few years time the majority of trains will have driving cabs at either end perhaps makes this less of an issue. Although having seen the pedestrian way that IE drivers make this reversal (get out, have a smoke, chat with Joe the station master, have another smoke, get in cab at other end of train, finish the back pages of the Sun, then get moving) reversing railcars (the ones that you can drive from either end*) doesn't seem to be as seamless as it could be...
There used to be a bit on the P11 website about a Clonmel-Dublin direct service, but I can't find it now...
*yes I know you probably know that, but I worry sometimes that you need a silly amount of knowledge about trains to follow discussions on these boards that should be accessible to all...