There was been long standing shortage of railcars, we are quoted in the Sunday Business Post a while back on the topic
The 6:30 service is booked for a 6 coach 2800 railcar and is currently running as a 4 coach train (it can't possibly be 3 coaches)
There is an overhaul project of the 2600 fleet currently underway which is impacting on train lengths. The 2600 fleet are the most unreliable fleet and have inflicted much pain on commuters in recent years with frequent breakdowns so the work is required.
I've been given the tour of the depot in Drogheda as have senior engineers from numerous rather envious railways across Europe. They currently hold the unoffical most reliable fleet of diesel commuter trains in Europe title, can't fault their efforts. Irish Rail simply never order enough coaches for the demand, always seems to be out by just that small amount to result in these kind of unacceptable situations.
A further 51 coaches are on order and tenders out to overhaul 48 intercity coaches of which 32 are to provide a hourly service Dublin Belfast, however with Midelton and the Western Railway Corridor opening this Summer things are not going to get anyway better
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