Troubled times ahead on the Belfast line

[Mark Gleeson]

Yes but they isn't any suitable stand in on the Dublin side

The reason the failures have increased is for over 3 years IE rotated the Enterprise locomotives around to avoid them working more than 3 days or so on Enterprise in a row, that reduced failures by a factor or 4

There was a pool of 23 locomotives to choose from, that pool is now only 6

[Derek Wheeler]

Well the 13.20 ex Dublin failed before departure today (brakes) and was replaced by a 29000. It departed at 14.20. No refund forms handed out and they charged for tea and coffee.

I wonder what happened in Dundalk?

[plant43]

Looks like they are asking for new trains

Last Updated: 22/01/2008 15:05
Ministers may buy Dublin/Belfast trains


Ministers on both sides of the Border are considering whether they should buy new trains for the Belfast to Dublin railway line.

Stormont MLAs were told Translink and Iarnród Éireann have asked for money to replace existing stock.

The North's Transport Minister Conor Murphy revealed they also want to expand their fleet on the busy cross-Border Enterprise service as part of plans to increase its frequency and reduce journey times.

The governments are pressing to reduce the journey times between both cities from two hours five minutes to one hours 40 minutes.

Mr Murphy confirmed both companies were preparing a business case for the renewed investment to be considered as early as May.

"It has been accepted and proven that where we have made investments in public transport - in railways, in the tracks and the rolling stock- that it has improved the service and has also improved the uptake of the service and passenger numbers have increased," he said.

Mr Murphy said the governments were approached about money for the new fleet at last month's meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Transport Sector in Trim. Co Meath.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and Stormont Environment Minister Arlene Foster held talks with operators about improving the Enterprise service.

"In the longer term interests, on environmental issues - in reducing our carbon footprint - we want to attract more and more passengers onto public transport - onto railway," Mr Murphy told the Assembly. "So I think we will continue to make the case for investment."

The Newry And Armagh MP said the business case for the new trains could be ready by the next NSMC Transport meeting in May.
© 2008 ireland.com

[Mark Gleeson]

This further strenghtens the information posted in the members area of what is truely going on, on the Belfast line. Potentially you could be seeing new trains on the Belfast line within the next 2 years at most. But this article relates to 125mph running

NIR currently tendering for stock and they are specifying for cross border. IE and NIR previously failed to agree to the lease of a fleet of 8 coach 125mph diesel railcars from the UK which where lying idle. NIR can't lease trains and had no cash so the project died.

Not going to do much to solve the current day to day situation which can only get worse with time

[Derek Wheeler]

If the service wants to compete with the M1/A1 and further improvements, then they will have to go high speed. If they anticipate doing that and increasing the frequency, then the infrastructure north of Dundalk and the northern commuter line will have to be addressed.

New rolling stock is only part of the battle. Even if the current Enterprise service was efficient and reliable, it would still struggle to attract higher passenger numbers given the road improvements. The initial investment was short sighted because southern Ireland's economic boom exposed it. Once the Newry bypass is upgraded to DC, the Enterprise is in real trouble. By 2010the entire IC network will be shown up for what it is - out of touch.

[Colm Donoghue]

Originally Posted by Derek Wheeler

Once the Newry bypass is upgraded to DC, the Enterprise is in real trouble.

And ground has been broken on this project already - topsoil is all cleared. and some earthworks well in progress

[James Shields]

Do people take the train just because it's faster than driving/the bus?

It may be one factor, but I think it's some way down most people's priorities. People want to arrive reliably, on time, and in comfort. If you can sort those issues out, it's not going to make a great deal of difference to most people whether the journey takes 90 mins or two hours. If you want the get to Dublin during business hours, the problem is not around Newry, it's inside the M50.

Of course, we're a long way from sorting our those issues at the moment. We need to have trains that don't break down, that arrive when they're supposed to. We need train staff that treat customers with respect. We need to give them things they can't get in their car, like Wi-Fi. These are the things that will bring people back to the train, regardless of how good the motorway is.

[Derek Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Colm Donoghue

And ground has been broken on this project already - topsoil is all cleared. and some earthworks well in progress

Indeed. I saw it last week on the way to Armagh. Once the section north of Newry gets the grade sepeation treatment, its gonna do some business. I know James has made a good point about the train and its alternative benefits, but unless we get in line with other European nations, the Enterprise will die.

I love rail, but I will say to people here that if you love rail then accept that it needs to up its game considerably if its going to keep attracting passengers from the improving road network.

[plant43]

Originally Posted by Colm Donoghue

And ground has been broken on this project already - topsoil is all cleared. and some earthworks well in progress

Sorry to dig up this old thread but the latest on the Newry Bypass is that the topsoil works revealed some sites of archealogical interest, so the contractor is discussing with the authorities how best to proceed. In the meantime, no work is being done and I think it's been about a month since anything happened.