[Inniskeen]

Originally Posted by ThomasJ

With all due respect inniskeen, all you have done is suggested putting another plaster on a badly damaged rail network!

A few things:
- you have said sending maynooth services to docklands would solve the northbound bottleneck problem but you have said you would send Kildare trains into Connolly that wouldn't resolve it!
- if maynooth trains are diverted to docklands, how do maynooth line passengers get to drumcondra? That is a major station
- your suggestion is a major risk to a successful maynooth line, there is a risk if it moves to docklands people will stop using the service
- it would take longer to go by train from heuston to Connolly than it would by luas.

The rail system in this city is in bad need of an overhaul and the interconnector would be a major help, we have waited too long on it!

ThomasJ - my response to the points you raise is as follows

• I am not suggesting sending Maynooth services to Docklands solves the northern bottleneck. Neither will the DART interconnector - the only real solution to capacity constraints on the northern line is the provision of additional tracks. Otherwise the northern line will remain a mess with DART, commuter and Enterprise services all operating way below potential with consequent loss of market share and relevance.
  
• You are absolutely right about Drumcondra, it is a huge station on the Maynooth line, probably between 10% and 20% of the business. There would have to be a station on the lower level (Docklands line) line, probably somewhere between Binns's Bridge and Croke Park.
  
• Yes diverting Maynooth services to the Docklands without onward transport to the south city is a problem, hence the suggestion of a much more modest connecting tunnel from Docklands to Pearse/Merrion Square.
  
• As for Kildare services operating to Connolly, this is possible without interfering with Maynooth/Docklands, Northern line/Eastern line services as each of these would have independent inbound and outbound lines. To maintain service separation Kildare/Connolly frequency would be limited as all trains would have to operate to platform 7 at Connolly with inbound and outbound services sharing the same line between Croke Park and Connolly. This pattern of operation also avoids conflict at Glasnevin Junction, although there would be potential contention between Kildare/Docklands & Kildare/Connolly services at North Strand. Operationally it would be preferable to run all Kildare local services to the Docklands connecting there with a high intensity Maynooth to Pearse service.
  
• The Luas journey time from Heuston to Abbey Street takes about 9 minutes, the train from Heuston to Connolly/Docklands would take 10 to 12 minutes. The Luas journey time does not take into account walking time to the Heuston Luas stop and waiting time - total at least 4 minutes and more typically close to an average of 6 minutes. Hence Luas journey time to Abbey Street is realistically between 13 and 15 minutes.