[Article] Some train journeys slower than 20 years ago

comcor · 09-01-2007, 08:54

Quote:

Some train journeys slower than 20 years ago
Chris Ashmore and Tim O'Brien

Iarnród Éireann's radical new timetable will come into effect next Sunday, with a record number of new services, but many of its trains are being slowed by gridlock on the tracks.

Despite record investment in new trains and the upgrading of track, journey times on some of the principal routes are actually slower than they were 20 or 30 years ago.

This is largely because the volume of train services in the greater Dublin region is causing congestion. In effect, trains are queuing to get in and out of the city in certain areas.

However, two major infrastructural projects are expected to ease congestion - and improve speeds - in the next few years.

The Kildare Route Project will see an eight-mile section of track southwest of Heuston being doubled from two to four lines. This will enable fast inter-city trains to pass out slower commuter trains that stop at many stations.

A new signalling system in the Dublin Connolly area - plus the opening of the new Docklands station in March - will allow more train paths on routes radiating out to Maynooth/Sligo, Belfast, Rosslare and on Dart services.

According to the new timetable, the fastest train on the Dublin-Cork route will now take two hours 25 minutes - the same as 20 years ago.

The fastest service between Dublin and Tralee will now take three hours 57 minutes.

Back in 1987 (when Iarnród Éireann was formed) the early morning train from Kerry to the capital completed the journey in three hours 35 minutes.

The bulk of the trains from Belfast to Dublin are timetabled to take two hours 10 minutes, only five minutes less than times of almost 30 years ago.

Most trains on the DublinLimerick route are timetabled to take two hours 20 minutes, but 20 years ago the fastest train was 10 minutes quicker.

Times on the Dublin-Sligo line - one of the most criticised in the past when it had numerous speed restrictions be- fore the laying of new track - are still virtually the same as they were 20 years ago.

Back in 1987, the quickest journey time was three hours 10 minutes. Now it will be just five minutes faster. However, most trains call at more stations.

While the new timetable im- proves times on the Galway route, Mayor of Galway Niall Ó Brolcháin yesterday said in some cases the improvement was as low as two minutes.

Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny said there had been a 25 per cent rise in passengers in the past two years "and when you are running more trains there will be more congestion".

The new timetable sees 15 direct services to Cork daily from Dublin Heuston operating on the hour from 0700 until 2100. Frequency will be increased on most routes, and there are new Sunday services on the Kildare commuter line, a new Ballina-Castlebar-Westport service, and additional trains for Gorey and Dundalk.

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Mark Gleeson · 09-01-2007, 10:17

'Congestion' is the IE cover story its bull

The numbers are ours http://www.platform11.org/passenger_...ting_there.php

comcor · 09-01-2007, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

'Congestion' is the IE cover story its bull

The numbers are ours http://www.platform11.org/passenger_...ting_there.php

The article was taken from the Irish Times. I'm sure if Platform 11 wanted to contact the journalists in question, they would be interested in hearing the full story.

Mark Gleeson · 09-01-2007, 11:01

Well the point is its fairly common to see stuff lifted off our site and used in the media with no acknowledgement

I seriously doubt the IT have copies of the timetables and strangely they picked same years we have.

Its more lies from Barry Kenny's office its nothing to do with congestion its to do with ass coverage and targets, trains are slow on Sunday as well...

Nigel Fitzgricer · 09-01-2007, 13:45

Quote:

Well the point is its fairly common to see stuff lifted off our site and used in the media with no acknowledgement

Getting credit in the media is not as important as making a difference.

Thomas J Stamp · 09-01-2007, 14:45

Derek will be on The Last Word at 5pm tonight to debate this with Barry Kenny.

Mark Gleeson · 09-01-2007, 18:15

Listen to the Matt Cooper piece here
http://www.platform11.org/resources/...209-1-2006.mp3

seamus kilcock · 09-01-2007, 19:05

The Irish Times is incorrect stating the fastest journey time Dublin/Cork is
2hrs 25mins in the new timetable.
Unless I am mistaken the fastest journey time will be 2hrs 45mins.
There was one non stop train in the 'old' timetable on a Sunday that did the trip in 2hrs 25mins.

I agree with Barry Kenny the fact the company was starved of funds until the last 7/8 years. In fact it took the Knockcroghery train derailment, to kick the relevant Minister of the day, Mary O'Rourke and the government in general into action, to invest in upgrading the track and signalling.

I recall about 20 years ago when IE had no replacement rail for worn out rail on the Sligo line - I think it was near Edgeworthstown.
Rail had to be 'borrowed' from the Tuam (closed by this time) line!!!

I do agree with Derek Wheeler when he stated during the Matt Cooper interview customer relations need big improvement and it will not cost very much to do so. It is obvious from BK's comments that Platform 11 is being listened to.

'We are the customers and we pay your wages Barry and Co'.

Mark Gleeson · 09-01-2007, 19:28

Point Derek was trying to take up with Barry was, after all the investment, 1 billion euro odd they are still very significant issues to be resolved, why wasn't Portarlington, Ballybrophy, Lisduff, Limerick Junction etc sorted out 5 years ago?

Those combined at worth 10 minutes to all Dublin Cork and Tralee and 5-8 minutes for Limerick

IHIR · 10-01-2007, 09:47

hi

unfortunately missed derek and barry chatting on matt copper yesterday, any chance of a quick summary? and fair play to you derek

i presume you were on the phone, would be interesting to get barry kenny sitting across from you in the studio on george hook or something and get people to ring in with their stories (good and bad) about irish rail. They seem to think the new trains are the ultimate fix. 2hrs 25 mins to go 160 miles is a disgrace still. SHould be no reason why it cant be done in 90 mins.

Mark Gleeson · 10-01-2007, 09:59

They where face to face in Today FM

Whole thing as a mp3
http://www.platform11.org/resources/...209-1-2006.mp3

The view is is the obvious track issues are cleared 2:20 with 3 stops

90 minutes would require a 125-130 mph capable train non stop

Was the usual Barry new trains are the cure for cancer gig even solves ticket prices

09-01-2007, 14:45	#6
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	Derek will be on The Last Word at 5pm tonight to debate this with Barry Kenny. __________________ We are the passengers

09-01-2007, 19:05	#8
seamus kilcock Regular Poster Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 103	train journey timings The Irish Times is incorrect stating the fastest journey time Dublin/Cork is 2hrs 25mins in the new timetable. Unless I am mistaken the fastest journey time will be 2hrs 45mins. There was one non stop train in the 'old' timetable on a Sunday that did the trip in 2hrs 25mins. I agree with Barry Kenny the fact the company was starved of funds until the last 7/8 years. In fact it took the Knockcroghery train derailment, to kick the relevant Minister of the day, Mary O'Rourke and the government in general into action, to invest in upgrading the track and signalling. I recall about 20 years ago when IE had no replacement rail for worn out rail on the Sligo line - I think it was near Edgeworthstown. Rail had to be 'borrowed' from the Tuam (closed by this time) line!!! I do agree with Derek Wheeler when he stated during the Matt Cooper interview customer relations need big improvement and it will not cost very much to do so. It is obvious from BK's comments that Platform 11 is being listened to. 'We are the customers and we pay your wages Barry and Co'.

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09-01-2007, 10:17	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	'Congestion' is the IE cover story its bull The numbers are ours http://www.platform11.org/passenger_...ting_there.php

09-01-2007, 11:01	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Well the point is its fairly common to see stuff lifted off our site and used in the media with no acknowledgement I seriously doubt the IT have copies of the timetables and strangely they picked same years we have. Its more lies from Barry Kenny's office its nothing to do with congestion its to do with ass coverage and targets, trains are slow on Sunday as well...

09-01-2007, 18:15	#7
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Listen to the Matt Cooper piece here http://www.platform11.org/resources/...209-1-2006.mp3

09-01-2007, 19:28	#9
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Point Derek was trying to take up with Barry was, after all the investment, 1 billion euro odd they are still very significant issues to be resolved, why wasn't Portarlington, Ballybrophy, Lisduff, Limerick Junction etc sorted out 5 years ago? Those combined at worth 10 minutes to all Dublin Cork and Tralee and 5-8 minutes for Limerick

10-01-2007, 09:47	#10
IHIR Regular Poster Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 47	hi unfortunately missed derek and barry chatting on matt copper yesterday, any chance of a quick summary? and fair play to you derek i presume you were on the phone, would be interesting to get barry kenny sitting across from you in the studio on george hook or something and get people to ring in with their stories (good and bad) about irish rail. They seem to think the new trains are the ultimate fix. 2hrs 25 mins to go 160 miles is a disgrace still. SHould be no reason why it cant be done in 90 mins.

10-01-2007, 09:59	#11
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	They where face to face in Today FM Whole thing as a mp3 http://www.platform11.org/resources/...209-1-2006.mp3 The view is is the obvious track issues are cleared 2:20 with 3 stops 90 minutes would require a 125-130 mph capable train non stop Was the usual Barry new trains are the cure for cancer gig even solves ticket prices