[article] Trains delayed as crews had to open level crossings

[Mark Gleeson]

Most modern railway in Europe I think not

Originally Posted by Irish Times

Trains delayed as crews had to open level crossings
Michael Parsons

Members of Iarnród Éireann train crews have had to disembark from trains on the busy Waterford-Dublin line three times since April to open and close manually operated level crossings because the gatekeepers were not in attendance.

The incidents occurred at three different crossings, all in Co Kilkenny, because "the gatekeeper wasn't in attendance", said Mr Kenny. The most recent incident was last week.

The Waterford-Dublin line is used by thousands of passengers daily and also serves Dublin-bound commuters from towns in counties Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare.

Mr Kenny also confirmed that a lightning strike caused a signal fault along the Waterford line which delayed morning trains yesterday.

He said Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag) station in Co Carlow was unattended and the car park locked because the station keeper had been called away to a signal box to deal with the consequences of the strike. As a result travellers who arrived at 7am found the gates padlocked.

© 2007 The Irish Times
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ire...251583103.html

Only in Ireland would you have to put up this kind of crap.