The Cork Dublin Express Train has entered service

[comcor]

Originally Posted by comcor

Next week, I get my first run up to Dublin since these were brought in.

The 9:30am set ex-Cork will be a CDE, but the 9pm set ex-Dublin will still be a Mark III.

Is that correct?

I've been offline with a bust computer all week, but a quick follow up to this.

The best news was that both trains actually arrived a little early. God bless timetable padding...

I was very impressed on the 9:30 up to Dublin. The customer service was at a level I hadn't expected of Irish Rail. The 21:00 to Cork was more like the IE of old. No trolley because of staff shortages, just the standard ticket checker, but no sign of a train manager.

PIS worked in both directions. On the way back it announced that passengers for Kerry could change in Mallow, which is not the case on that train. I was wondering if there was any chance of a quiet carriage where passengers could just read the display and not need to hear the incessant announcements in two languages.

I didn't find the ride quality to be problematic (I was in coach D to Dublin and coach F to Cork). It did seem to sway more than I remembered between Charleville and Limerick Junction, but if anything, it was better between Mallow and Cork where the springiness in the Mark IIIs meant that it never stopped bouncing.

Reserved seats were clearly indicated on the train although, there was no indication of who had actually reserved them.

As a side note, the train was very crowded after Limerick Junction with people standing from Port Laoise onwards.

And it stops too much. Cork-Dublin trains should only stop in Mallow (with connections to Kerry and future Cork suburban), Thurles (with a connection to Limerick using the bay platform) and Port Laoise (with connections to Dublin suburban). Everything else is unneccessary.

[Mark Gleeson]

If its a Mk4 there must be a train manager on board, its the rules

He or she is probably hiding in first class they seem to do that on the 21:00

From January way fewer stops at most 5 generally only 3 or 4

[sean]

Have the inital problems with these trains been sorted out now?

[MrX]

I was on a MK4 CityGold coach to Cork yesterday and I have to say that there were no problems at all. Service was excellent, my luggage was stowed in the luggage car as it was oversized, the train manager was very attentive, seats were excellent (reclining mechanism is better than in business class on many planes!)
In-seat audio worked, laptop power sockets worked, it was clean and tidy.

The ride seemed as good as MK3, didn't notice any bumps/shakes/rattles.

Perhaps I was on a coach that has received the necessary modifications?

The announcement system worked pefectly too. Even announcing "Mind the gap" as the doors opened at Kent Station Cork.

Only slight glitch was that we departed Heuston a couple of mins late. This was explained over the PA. Apparently we were waiting on a signal and couldn't leave the platform until it changed colour.
We arrived in Cork within 3 mins of the due time.

[Mark Gleeson]

Since we know the set that hit the debris in Templemore was 4004, all servicable Mk4 sets have the modifications, 4004 doesn't

Its is a big improvement, the ride is always better the further down the train you are, its still not perfect and I get a continuous vibration added to a occasional forwards and backwards motion

First is cool, the seats are great

[Mark Gleeson]

Good news is that

1) The 13 zero hours pa has been changed to 13 hundred hours
2) The ride modifications are a massive improvement

Bad news

1) Internal doors seem to be locked open on all trains
2) There was no trolley service on the 13:00 today
3) Electronic seat reservations where broken as well

I can as well confirm the stuttering PA problem, I only noticed it when the PA said Heuston and repeated the exact same message 5 minutes later and said Dublin Heuston, it seemed to have trouble with it en route

The customer service end was not up to standard either

[Mark Gleeson]

The interior doors where working on the 5:30 this morning

The 9:00 Dublin Cork seemed to have problems with its brakes and what is this a orange loco on the end

Bad news is IE have little chance of delivering the timetable on Jan 14th

Out of 8 trains
2 have yet to enter service, one of which is still undergoing modifications
1 has been withdrawn with accident damage (unknown duration), also needs modifications (7 days work)

So 3 short, 10 days to go

This means not enough coaches to cover the expanded Limerick service

[Colm Moore]

The 0830 ex-Cork isn't a direct service, so presumably that takes some of the pressure off.

Surely there is a spare set?

[Mark Gleeson]

Morning from Tralee is regularly full

They need 7 Mk4 sets and 1 spare, only 5 are currently on the books as available, there wont be a spare on Jan 14th. The current record is 3 breakdowns in 9 hours. Set 8 is still undergoing modifications in Connolly, set 4 still needs them, sets 7 and 8 have yet to carry a passenger

All Dublin Cork and Dublin Limerick sets must be 100 mph capable so you need the right kind of spare

[2Funki4Wheelz]

Repeated announcements on the train from about 8.20 onwards looking for a Doctor or Nurse on the train, don't know what went on.
Are the hosts trained first aiders? (Or the ticket checkers or are there any requirement like that?)

[MrX]

I know that there's one crashed set, but what's holding up the other two ?

I'm assuming they're likely to call a MK3 set back into service on the route if there's a shortage?

[Mark Gleeson]

4004 is damaged following the incident in Templemore. This set also needs 1 weeks work of suspension modifications

Sets 4007 and 4008 have not carried a passenger yet. Set 4008 is in Connolly undergoing modifications

The problem is if you get a Mk3 set in it has to come from somewhere and since they are 100 mph capable it could lead to chaos in the timetable

[MrX]

Well there's not a whole lot they can do about 4004. All we can do is hope it gets back into service sooner rather than later.

Was the damage very extensive?

What's going on with 4007 though that it's not in passenger service yet !?

I assume 4008 will be ready soon ish?

[Mark Gleeson]

4004 isn't that badly damaged but needs repair

4008 arrived Connolly week before Christmas and is still hiding in the shed.

[Mark Gleeson]

Very interesting this evening Mk4 set 4001 was in Connolly, sounds like broken suspension again

[hhf8]

4008 didn't seem to be in connolly 2nite,it was dark tho

[2Funki4Wheelz]

Gremlin attack on the 5:30 today. It was engine 4001 and from around Clondalkin on, someone was having a play with the automated announcements.

It started with a random, very London Underground 'Mind the Gap', then a few minutes later the long trolley service announcement.

Then at Heuston there was a fault with the doors which wouldn't open to let us off. Driver made an announcement after a minute or so, saw some orange jacket guys running up and down outside and then the doors opened.

[MrX]

Perhaps the computer's taking wild cat strike action ?

[seamus kilcock]

Is Paddy Power offering odds on a wild cat strike by the 'Rebels' on this coming Sunday or/and Monday?

[Mark Gleeson]

I would not rule that out, bear in mind we got the timetable on Monday staff got it same time

The train itself is going to cause chaos, much tighter turnaround way higher daily mileage