More coach services between Wexford and Dublin:

[Inniskeen]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

As a regular on the 17:36 capacity isn't a major issue, an ICR has slightly more seats than a 29k and much better luggage space. You might have to stand to Dun Laoghaire if you board at Pearse but from there on shouldn't be a problem

Yes sadly usage of the Rosslare line services has plummetted in recent years to the extent that loadings rarely signifigantly challenge a 3-piece ICR set.

Still I am sure Irish Rail are working on plans to increase frequency and reduce journey times !

[Mark Gleeson]

I remember the days of 4 coach cravens on the 17:30 as it was and that didn't look unreasonable for the demand

[Inniskeen]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

I remember the days of 4 coach cravens on the 17:30 as it was and that didn't look unreasonable for the demand

If I recall, this service was normally formed of six cravens but shrunk to four on a Friday. In the past this service would have standing passengers leaving Greystones. From what I can see the aggregate usage south of Greystones on the current three evening services would barely fill six cravens.

[sublimity]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

If I recall, this service was normally formed of six cravens but shrunk to four on a Friday. In the past this service would have standing passengers leaving Greystones. From what I can see the aggregate usage south of Greystones on the current three evening services would barely fill six cravens.

The deployment of unsuitable commuter stock from summer 2004 onwards going all the way to Rosslare wouldn't have helped numbers. I bet Irish Rail thought this would have just because they were "newer trains". If anything, passenger numbers have probably dwindled since.

[James Howard]

I remember when they retired the Mark 2s from the Sligo line and Irish Rail were promoting the 29ks as a benefit to passengers. Of course they are anything but if you have to spend more than 45 minutes on one.

They are noisy, the seats are narrow and cramped, they have no space to work and are draughty when the doors are left open on the longer stops required for crossings. They are commuter trains and work much better on short journeys. Irish Rail should not be using them for intercity runs and they never should have. The Mark 2s were far superior as are the 22ks.

What is it with this country and our insistence that we can come up with "better" ways of doing things that break established international norms? This is the same as our motorways which were built with no crash barriers or service areas thus ignoring 50 years of learned experience.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by James Howard

I remember when they retired the Mark 2s from the Sligo line and Irish Rail were promoting the 29ks as a benefit to passengers.

Wasn't his mostly the local politicians who didn't want "old" trains?

[James Howard]

Originally Posted by Colm Moore

Wasn't his mostly the local politicians who didn't want "old" trains?

That would be the answer to my question as to how this country keeps coming up with "better" solutions that don't work. We have have too many politicians pulling strokes for anybody who has the neck to ask them for them.

Hence we end up with trains leaving branch lines with 4 passengers, thousands of houses build in the middle of swamps 100 miles from the nearest job and tolled motorways where there isn't enough traffic to pay the toll collectors.