Intercity journey experiences

[wobbles]

First post
I have to agree with KSW. 15 to 20 min could easily be knocked off the times of Rosslare services. The 11.35 always seems to be waiting around stations ahead of time. The 0600 train from Gorey is another one for waiting around. I have been on this service when it was almost 20min late and still got to Tara St on time.

Slightly off topic but do staff get training on how to use the PA? Today it was more like grunt than an announcment.

[Mark Hennessy]

Originally Posted by wobbles

Slightly off topic but do staff get training on how to use the PA? Today it was more like grunt than an announcment.

I get surprised when the driver makes a clear audible announcement!

It can be done, but why only a very few drivers?

Welcome to the forum by the way.

[wobbles]

Thank you Mark.

There seems to be no standards when it comes to the PA. Im sure it would not take long to train the drivers how to use it correctly.

[KSW]

I have to say I am cleary a fan of the new 22k trains. Yesterday at Heuston Station I seen these new 22k trains at every platfrom the mk III sets from what I seen yesterday are cleary gone. Travelling from Dublin to Galway on these new trains I have to say I am very happy about them going on the Rosslare line. The train departed Galway at 15:05 and arrived in Heuston at 17:35 The train was going fast the entire journey which helps..

[PLUMB LOCO]

Originally Posted by KSW

I have to say I am cleary a fan of the new 22k trains. Yesterday at Heuston Station I seen these new 22k trains at every platfrom the mk III sets from what I seen yesterday are cleary gone. Travelling from Dublin to Galway on these new trains I have to say I am very happy about them going on the Rosslare line. The train departed Galway at 15:05 and arrived in Heuston at 17:35 The train was going fast the entire journey which helps..

I am afraid that I am not particularly happy to see the imminent (?) arrival of the 22ks on the Rosslare line - granted they will be better than the present collection of awful Commuter railcars on the route - they will be grossly inferior to the MkIIs as originally supplied. No 1st class, no dining car, no Fastrack, little space for bicyles, excessive lighting and I am reliably informed that Rosslare services may be operated by 3-piece sets. Can this latter point be correct?

Several hundreds of million spent on the route and the standard of service is going to be inferior to that provided in the 1980's - where is the sense in that or indeed value for money?

[wobbles]

Originally Posted by PLUMB LOCO

I am afraid that I am not particularly happy to see the imminent (?) arrival of the 22ks on the Rosslare line - granted they will be better than the present collection of awful Commuter railcars on the route - they will be grossly inferior to the MkIIs as originally supplied. No 1st class, no dining car, no Fastrack, little space for bicyles, excessive lighting and I am reliably informed that Rosslare services may be operated by 3-piece sets. Can this latter point be correct?

Several hundreds of million spent on the route and the standard of service is going to be inferior to that provided in the 1980's - where is the sense in that or indeed value for money?

I do agree that the 22K will be a step up from the current 28K trains.
Just a few points.

First class facilities were never available on the MK2 trains on the Rosslare line.

There is indeed Fastrack facilities (ie a cupboard). This is in use on the Sligo 22K for Fastrack.

New bicyle racks are being fitted (at the expence of seats).

Rosslare services will be operated by just 3 coach 22K sets. Main issue is the length of most platforms on the route. The present six coach 28K is the longest trains that can be used at present.

If 3 coach trains are the best we can hope for then the number of services need to be increased however in the current climate I doubt this will happen.

[Mark Hennessy]

Originally Posted by PLUMB LOCO

Several hundreds of million spent on the route and the standard of service is going to be inferior to that provided in the 1980's - where is the sense in that or indeed value for money?

The same could be said for a lot of the rail network.

Billions on new track and trains yet journey times have decreased and customer service is poor on the whole.

[sublimity]

Originally Posted by wobbles

Rosslare services will be operated by just 3 coach 22K sets. Main issue is the length of most platforms on the route. The present six coach 28K is the longest trains that can be used at present.

.

As already discussed, this can be overcome with selective door openings on 22ks. So 2x3 coach is feasible.

What about the mk2s that used to be on this line? they seemed longer (071 engine + generator van + 6 coaches)

I really don't think a 6 coach 22k should cause any problems.
In my opinion IE should have ordered 6 coach sets only.
I do not like the idea of trains becoming shorter for Intercity routes.