Kildare Line Problems

Mark Gleeson · 17-02-2006, 20:18

This is the point the coaches are actually quite acceptable for a medium distance journey. They are let down by the heating and lighting which is not a design issue with the coaches

When the heating works and the lighting is working and steam isn't pouring out the side they are fine but they have to go this is the 21st century that kind of image is not acceptable, these coaches where hauled by steam engines in revenue earning servce in the 1960's

They are 43 years old, they fail to meet modern safety standards and are Victorian looking in some respects. Good riddance

As of today Ballina Manaulla Junc, Ballina Dublin (Friday/Sunday), 17:10 Dublin Athlone (Fridays only)

kilman · 23-02-2006, 16:27

17:10 to Athlone is cravens every day not just fridays

Mark Gleeson · 23-02-2006, 16:40

Its meant to be a MK2 set, all cravens coaches will be gone by 28th Feb, with the possible exception of the Manaulla Junc Ballina service, a rebuilt railcar will require commissioning before it can take over

kilman · 24-02-2006, 11:21

Mark,
I could be wrong.
I assumed that mark 2 had automatic doors. The train still has manual doors but it doesn't have the Craven's plaque on the step in to each carriage. I think it mentions BR.

Mark Gleeson · 24-02-2006, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilman

Mark,
I could be wrong.
I assumed that mark 2 had automatic doors. The train still has manual doors but it doesn't have the Craven's plaque on the step in to each carriage. I think it mentions BR.

Even the UK MK3s don't have automatic doors, it was CIE who introduced them

That be a Mk2d, the doors are an awful lot wider (and heavier) and the handles are always in the same place, some cravens doors open the wrong way, its got sealed windows and AC

It ain't much of an improvement really but the lights and heating tend to work, the PA is better and there is no steam pouring out of the side of it. Some would claim the old cravens had a nicer interior, it was a lot brighter but the suspension is a bit giddy

Derek Wheeler · 04-03-2006, 23:33

Right, enough talk of Cravens. Back to basics.

Tonight, Saturday 4th March, I arrived in Heuston for the 21.45 Kildare service(sat only).
Departure board said it was departing from Platform 3. So I wait beside the entrance to P3. The display board above the platform entrance was blank. In fact they were all blank, eventhough a Galway and Westport were due in.
Galway train was 13 mins late and pulled into P3! (21.38) Manual announcement made to apologise. At 21.40, the "auto announcer" kicks in to say that the train on platform 8! is the 21.45 to Kildare. Main departure board still listed it as P3. So I make the quick dash down to 8 along with other people and board train with 2 mins to spare, eventhough I was sitting in Heuston since 21.00.

Platforms 2,and 4 were empty, but the Kildare train was at 8, half way to Kilmainham!

This has happened before, mainly during rush hour and it will be announced. But theres no excuse at that time of night.

Furthermore, I travelled both ways today without a ticket. Im not a fare evader, because, you can't buy a ticket in Sallins at 13.20 on Saturdays and there were no staff on board to sell/check tickets on the 13.24 to Heuston. On the return journey, all of the ticket vending machines in Heuston rejected my €1 coin as I tried to pay the €6 fare and there was no ticket check at the platform or on board the train. This is avery common occurence off peak.

But Im €8 richer.

Thanks IE!

17-02-2006, 20:18	#1
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	This is the point the coaches are actually quite acceptable for a medium distance journey. They are let down by the heating and lighting which is not a design issue with the coaches When the heating works and the lighting is working and steam isn't pouring out the side they are fine but they have to go this is the 21st century that kind of image is not acceptable, these coaches where hauled by steam engines in revenue earning servce in the 1960's They are 43 years old, they fail to meet modern safety standards and are Victorian looking in some respects. Good riddance As of today Ballina Manaulla Junc, Ballina Dublin (Friday/Sunday), 17:10 Dublin Athlone (Fridays only) Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 17-02-2006 at 20:20.

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23-02-2006, 16:27	#2
kilman Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 42	17:10 to Athlone is cravens every day not just fridays

23-02-2006, 16:40	#3
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Its meant to be a MK2 set, all cravens coaches will be gone by 28th Feb, with the possible exception of the Manaulla Junc Ballina service, a rebuilt railcar will require commissioning before it can take over

24-02-2006, 11:21	#4
kilman Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 42	Mark, I could be wrong. I assumed that mark 2 had automatic doors. The train still has manual doors but it doesn't have the Craven's plaque on the step in to each carriage. I think it mentions BR.

04-03-2006, 23:33	#6
Derek Wheeler Registered user Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kildare Posts: 1,555	Right, enough talk of Cravens. Back to basics. Tonight, Saturday 4th March, I arrived in Heuston for the 21.45 Kildare service(sat only). Departure board said it was departing from Platform 3. So I wait beside the entrance to P3. The display board above the platform entrance was blank. In fact they were all blank, eventhough a Galway and Westport were due in. Galway train was 13 mins late and pulled into P3! (21.38) Manual announcement made to apologise. At 21.40, the "auto announcer" kicks in to say that the train on platform 8! is the 21.45 to Kildare. Main departure board still listed it as P3. So I make the quick dash down to 8 along with other people and board train with 2 mins to spare, eventhough I was sitting in Heuston since 21.00. Platforms 2,and 4 were empty, but the Kildare train was at 8, half way to Kilmainham! This has happened before, mainly during rush hour and it will be announced. But theres no excuse at that time of night. Furthermore, I travelled both ways today without a ticket. Im not a fare evader, because, you can't buy a ticket in Sallins at 13.20 on Saturdays and there were no staff on board to sell/check tickets on the 13.24 to Heuston. On the return journey, all of the ticket vending machines in Heuston rejected my €1 coin as I tried to pay the €6 fare and there was no ticket check at the platform or on board the train. This is avery common occurence off peak. But Im €8 richer. Thanks IE!