'Fast trains' a step closer on Dublin to Cork route

[James Shields]

As I understand it, this article just refers to the government being authorised to back IE's loans. High speed rail to Cork is one possible use for these loans, but in no way specified as the intention.

Originally Posted by thomasjstamp

Madness. They ought to use the money to buy more commuter railcars. I really dont see the need nor the demand for 200kph running all the way to Cork. By simple eleimination of the slow bits and removal of timetable padding, together with KRP, it makes the Cork run a lot quicker anyway. Any more money spent on it should only be considered if the CDE's become calcutta.

But in order to get rid of the slow bits on the Cork Dublin line, IE need to start a gradual relaying programme. It would be madness not to lay it to a standard that can support 200kph running down the road. If a significant portion of the line can take 200kph trains, it will obviously handle 160kph trains very well. The cost of building the line to 200kph will be a little higher than building it to 160kph, but it creates opportunities for the future.

Depending on how much of a hurry IE are in, it could take up to ten years to rebuild the whole line. It's only then that that you need to make a decision to buy 200kph stock. And the coaches are already 200kph capable, so all you need to do is buy new power cars.

I presume the government still have to approve projects, just they don't have to wait for funding to start.