Rocky Trains

Mark Gleeson · 11-08-2009, 10:53

Got to love Irish Rail, no no there is nothing wrong

1. Tender for a third party to assist. Surely thats CAF's call?
2. The Mk3/Mk4 test trains in June. Surely that should have been done 3 years ago
3. The new track between Portlaoise and Portarlington really exposes the poor track standard and what an excellent ride the Mk4 has on decent track

Given CAF replaced more or less everything in Dec 2006, the whole secondary suspension, altered design to prevent the wild swaying and raised the clearance between the secondary suspension air bag and coach underside to prevent the bolts being sliced off, its hard to see what more can be done.

Only one possible solution is fitting a damper on the coupler and to add a damper between the coach body and the bogie (other CAF products in UK have this) to calm the sway down.

Kilocharlie · 11-08-2009, 18:57

If the Cork-Dublin tracks are being upgraded and the Mk4 ride is excellent on the new tracks, is there any need to 'fix' the Mk4s?

Mark Gleeson · 11-08-2009, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilocharlie

If the Cork-Dublin tracks are being upgraded and the Mk4 ride is excellent on the new tracks, is there any need to 'fix' the Mk4s?

The Mk4 ride is below the required standard regardless.

MrX · 11-08-2009, 20:59

I really didn't like the tone that the Irish Rail spokesperson took. He basically implied that Rail Users Ireland are a bunch of trainspotter cooks.

People expect a decent level of service, this is something that Irish Rail has very rarely managed to achieve over the years. Things have improved, but things like shakey trains need to be dealt with without sneering at the passengers who brought the problem to the media's attention.

The Cork-Dublin trains are too bumpy at the moment and the Enterprise is even worse.

I'm sure the companies who made both of these trains are very reputable and don't have these kinds of problems elsewhere, which leaves only one explanation - the tracks aren't smooth enough.

The older Mark 3 trains which used to operate on the Cork line are unusual, they were a British Rail design which was specified to work on shoddy tracks. A BR cost saving programme which avoided / postponed line upgrades in the UK in the 1970s/80s.

11-08-2009, 10:53	#1
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Got to love Irish Rail, no no there is nothing wrong 1. Tender for a third party to assist. Surely thats CAF's call? 2. The Mk3/Mk4 test trains in June. Surely that should have been done 3 years ago 3. The new track between Portlaoise and Portarlington really exposes the poor track standard and what an excellent ride the Mk4 has on decent track Given CAF replaced more or less everything in Dec 2006, the whole secondary suspension, altered design to prevent the wild swaying and raised the clearance between the secondary suspension air bag and coach underside to prevent the bolts being sliced off, its hard to see what more can be done. Only one possible solution is fitting a damper on the coupler and to add a damper between the coach body and the bogie (other CAF products in UK have this) to calm the sway down. __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 11-08-2009 at 10:58.

11-08-2009, 20:59	#4
MrX Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 585	I really didn't like the tone that the Irish Rail spokesperson took. He basically implied that Rail Users Ireland are a bunch of trainspotter cooks. People expect a decent level of service, this is something that Irish Rail has very rarely managed to achieve over the years. Things have improved, but things like shakey trains need to be dealt with without sneering at the passengers who brought the problem to the media's attention. The Cork-Dublin trains are too bumpy at the moment and the Enterprise is even worse. I'm sure the companies who made both of these trains are very reputable and don't have these kinds of problems elsewhere, which leaves only one explanation - the tracks aren't smooth enough. The older Mark 3 trains which used to operate on the Cork line are unusual, they were a British Rail design which was specified to work on shoddy tracks. A BR cost saving programme which avoided / postponed line upgrades in the UK in the 1970s/80s. Last edited by MrX : 11-08-2009 at 21:03.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-08-2009, 18:57	#2
Kilocharlie Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 395	If the Cork-Dublin tracks are being upgraded and the Mk4 ride is excellent on the new tracks, is there any need to 'fix' the Mk4s?