Cork-Midleton line opening next month

[Mark Gleeson]

But it won't until after the 5th sadly

The line will be open for service on the 29th, will there actually be a service running is a different question

[Mark Hennessy]

Just like Tom Morrisey's shuttle bus around Rush & Lusk before the last election?

Well at least in this case, there will be a service at some stage on the Midleton line.

[Mark Gleeson]

First train will depart at 6.45am ... some day
By Sean O’Riordan
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
THE first train leaving Cork for Midleton will depart from platform one at 6.45am – only trouble is nobody knows on what day that will be.
A press conference organised by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey descended into farce yesterday when he announced the timetable for the €75 million Cork-Midleton commuter rail service. He couldn’t say on what date the trains would roll.

Iarnród Éireann brought a special train down to Midleton station for the minister’s photoshoot.

He got in it with FF camp followers and Iarnród Éireann officials.

The engines revved and it looked like they were all off for a little spin. But the train remained stationary until the minister disembarked a short time later.

Unfortunately, according to an Iarnród Éireann spokesman, "the train wasn’t certified to carry passengers".

The company spokesman said it’s hoped the service will start rolling sometime in July. But he, too, couldn’t provide a date.

On numerous occasions during the past few years both Mr Dempsey and his predecessor at the department, the late Seamus Brennan, have been up and down the track emphasising to everybody who will listen that the train is coming.

Mr Dempsey described the timetable announcement as "an important landmark". He said the service would allow thousands of people to enjoy a stress-free rail journey.

When the service does get up and running there will be 20 trains each way daily. Trains will run every 30 minutes at peak time and every hour at off-peak from Monday to Friday.

Sixteen trains will operate each way on Saturdays, with eight on Sundays.

Read more: "First train will depart at 6.45am ... some day | Irish Examiner" - http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...day-92675.html

© Irish Examiner 2009

[PLUMB LOCO]

Pure farce - you really have got to hand it to CIE and this clown of a minister they know how to turn a potential good news story into a PR disaster. Yet another example of CIE/IE being answerable to nobody. Next we can expect a dispute from drivers over operating the service - that is assuming any rolling stock can be found!

[drumcondra commuter]

Originally Posted by PLUMB LOCO

Pure farce - you really have got to hand it to CIE and this clown of a minister ...

This radio story woke me up this morning. It's rare that I wake up laughing.

[Mark Gleeson]

I'm told it was a very carefully planned PR stunt, all the big names rolled into town. Not only will there be the opening day, but also an official opening sometime later

This new found honesty of not knowing when the line will reopen is somewhat refreshing. There are major hurdles to jump through, finding some trains would be a good place to start

[sublimity]

Probably a good thing they didn't give a specific date possibly clever (from their point of view) At least the people of Midleton won't be getting there hopes up.

"Ah sure some day soon we'll have a train". Farce.