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Unread 06-12-2007, 15:37   #34
Mark Gleeson
Technical Officer
 
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
Posts: 12,669
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A serious study was done a number of years ago

Few facts
The South Eastern line has the lowest catchment of all radial routes and the least potential for growth
The line the route follows is heavily restricted by curves and hills
The assesment even after a massive investment indicated a hugely negative return
Even single the line can manage 3 trains per hour over its length once the new signalling goes in

Put simply the same investment spent elsewhere on the network would result in a much higher return, success is measured in bums on seats

Note the Sligo line is single for the most part can manage a train every 2 hours as of January

Talking about two tracks is total pie in the sky, it distracts people from the key issues on the ground
1. Journey times are not as tight as they could be in places, new signalling will address this
2. Evening services don't exist
3. No evening commuter service on a Saturday
4. There is potential particularly south of Arklow to speed things up, wait and see

Those are the real issues
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