Journey times on the Cork Dublin route

ACustomer · 03-09-2010, 14:27

Mark: I'm surprised you think the main problem is at Cork station. There seems to be a policy of using only the Down main (old "arrivals") platfrom, in which case for example the 1500 Down cannot arrive until the 1730 Up has departed. But there are two main through platforms in Cork: using the Up (old "departures") platform is not impossible. No clash with arriving trains.

corktina · 04-09-2010, 10:17

this policy should be of no surprise since it eliminates shunting moves, something essential for a smooth running regular interval service. Its one of the reasons for switching to fixed formation trains drivable from either end.

What really should cause surprise is why after all this time, a second main platfrom at Limerick Junction hasnt been built. i don't see it as being THAT major an expense.

Colm Moore · 04-09-2010, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACustomer

Mark: I'm surprised you think the main problem is at Cork station. There seems to be a policy of using only the Down main (old "arrivals") platfrom, in which case for example the 1500 Down cannot arrive until the 1730 Up has departed. But there are two main through platforms in Cork: using the Up (old "departures") platform is not impossible. No clash with arriving trains.

Is there an issue with the 22000s on the curved platform?

dowlingm · 05-09-2010, 01:26

Without giving the technical specifics, is it likely that whatever is keeping 22Ks down to 70mph Cork-Mallow will be resolved to allow 90mph operation, or is this a permanent state of affairs?

corktina · 05-09-2010, 08:26

i dont think he meant the 22Ks, he meant the older railcars. which I beleive operate the Cobh Cork Mallow services (some at least).

Surely both platforms are equally curved?

ccos · 05-09-2010, 15:26

The argument over journey times is all well and good but most people dont use a train for intercity journeys because its quicker then a car.
Even with a substantial reduction in Cork Dublin times its never going to be quicker from A to B unless you happen to be going from Lwr Glanmire road to the Guinness brewary wall and that would assume you have to be there around the time the train arrives.

In the much vaunted days of the mark III´s the nonstop train on Sunday evening left at 18.00 (I think) and did the journey in 2.18, but the train before that left about 14.00 taking a bit more then 2 1/2 and the one that left half an hour afterwards .stopped everywhere and took over 3 hours. The effect of this is if I had to be in Dublin at 7.30 pm I had to be getting a train at 2 o clock giving a 5 1/2 hour travel time and if I had to be there at 10 pm I would have had to leave Cork on the non-stop giving me a real journey time of 4 hours despite the train doing the journey in times not seen now. The 2.18 minute journey time was as much use as tits on a fish except to the 3 people on board who had appointments in Dublin at 8.30 pm

Frequency is of much more importance.
With the hourly service there is no more 4 or 5 hour travel times needed, I think more effrort should be put into increasing the frequency at peak times to half hourly, this would have the effect of cutting travel times by up to 30 minutes.
Most intercity rail users care less about they are spending 15 minutes longer on a train then having to waste hours away waiting for the next one.

The first and last segments of any long distance railway journey are always going to throw any time advantage away unless you happen to be just traveling between two major train stations and increases in frequency are more effective ways of reducing journey times.

Colm Moore · 05-09-2010, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccos

Most intercity rail users care less about they are spending 15 minutes longer on a train then having to waste hours away waiting for the next one.

I disagree. For intercity journeys (probably not commuter) many people are happy to plan their day somewhat around the trip (provided it operates on time) and would prefer a shorter journey time.

05-09-2010, 15:26	#6
ccos Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kazbegi Posts: 281	The argument over journey times is all well and good but most people dont use a train for intercity journeys because its quicker then a car. Even with a substantial reduction in Cork Dublin times its never going to be quicker from A to B unless you happen to be going from Lwr Glanmire road to the Guinness brewary wall and that would assume you have to be there around the time the train arrives. In the much vaunted days of the mark III´s the nonstop train on Sunday evening left at 18.00 (I think) and did the journey in 2.18, but the train before that left about 14.00 taking a bit more then 2 1/2 and the one that left half an hour afterwards .stopped everywhere and took over 3 hours. The effect of this is if I had to be in Dublin at 7.30 pm I had to be getting a train at 2 o clock giving a 5 1/2 hour travel time and if I had to be there at 10 pm I would have had to leave Cork on the non-stop giving me a real journey time of 4 hours despite the train doing the journey in times not seen now. The 2.18 minute journey time was as much use as tits on a fish except to the 3 people on board who had appointments in Dublin at 8.30 pm Frequency is of much more importance. With the hourly service there is no more 4 or 5 hour travel times needed, I think more effrort should be put into increasing the frequency at peak times to half hourly, this would have the effect of cutting travel times by up to 30 minutes. Most intercity rail users care less about they are spending 15 minutes longer on a train then having to waste hours away waiting for the next one. The first and last segments of any long distance railway journey are always going to throw any time advantage away unless you happen to be just traveling between two major train stations and increases in frequency are more effective ways of reducing journey times. Last edited by ccos : 05-09-2010 at 15:28. Reason: all times approx except 2.18 for the non-stop train

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03-09-2010, 14:27	#1
ACustomer Really Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 767	Mark: I'm surprised you think the main problem is at Cork station. There seems to be a policy of using only the Down main (old "arrivals") platfrom, in which case for example the 1500 Down cannot arrive until the 1730 Up has departed. But there are two main through platforms in Cork: using the Up (old "departures") platform is not impossible. No clash with arriving trains.

04-09-2010, 10:17	#2
corktina Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 47	this policy should be of no surprise since it eliminates shunting moves, something essential for a smooth running regular interval service. Its one of the reasons for switching to fixed formation trains drivable from either end. What really should cause surprise is why after all this time, a second main platfrom at Limerick Junction hasnt been built. i don't see it as being THAT major an expense.

05-09-2010, 01:26	#4
dowlingm Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,371	Without giving the technical specifics, is it likely that whatever is keeping 22Ks down to 70mph Cork-Mallow will be resolved to allow 90mph operation, or is this a permanent state of affairs?

05-09-2010, 08:26	#5
corktina Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 47	i dont think he meant the 22Ks, he meant the older railcars. which I beleive operate the Cobh Cork Mallow services (some at least). Surely both platforms are equally curved?