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Unread 05-12-2013, 13:16   #1
Mark Gleeson
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Default Late Night Christmas DART services

After a gap of nearly 10 years its back finally

http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4964&p=116&n=237
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Unread 05-12-2013, 13:33   #2
James Howard
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That's very good of them to treat it as a normal-price journey including being free for pass-holders. Let's hope it goes well so that it can be extended in future.
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Unread 05-12-2013, 13:40   #3
berneyarms
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That is good news!
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Unread 05-12-2013, 17:15   #4
Mark Gleeson
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Doubt they will take free travel passes, will have to check
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Unread 06-12-2013, 10:59   #5
shweeney
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1 extra train in each direction, no service to Greystones (which was included the last time the night dart ran).

will probably be a 2 or 4 carriage train so the southbound one at least will be jammed.

its something, but its not much...
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Unread 06-12-2013, 15:26   #6
markpb
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Originally Posted by shweeney View Post
1 extra train in each direction, no service to Greystones (which was included the last time the night dart ran).
Maybe no-one used it to Greystones last time which is why it's not included this time?
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Unread 06-12-2013, 16:33   #7
Jamie2k9
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IE saying on twitter that running past Bray would require extra signalling staff and if it's correct it's a cost they could do without.

Can't see welfare passes being accepted as it's commercially run.
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Unread 06-12-2013, 17:51   #8
Mark Gleeson
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Greystones would require extra signalling staff plus would need to get the train back to Bray

The signalling between Bray and Drogheda is staffed 24 hours anyway
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Unread 06-12-2013, 18:09   #9
Inniskeen
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So why not go to Drogheda ?
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Unread 06-12-2013, 19:14   #10
Mark Gleeson
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Lack of demand, higher running costs, need to staff Drogheda station
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Unread 06-12-2013, 19:54   #11
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Possibly the existence of Bus Éireann Nightrider route 101N (Dublin-Balbriggan-Drogheda plus several places in between) may also be a factor.
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Unread 07-12-2013, 00:33   #12
Inniskeen
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The proposed late DART operation is itself minimalist and suggests Irish Rail don't expect much demand. Based on the relative usage of the 2330 Pearse/Dundalk and north and southbound DARTS around the same time I would suggest there might be more demand for a northern line service than for DART.

Nonetheless it is a toe in the water and commendable that normal fares and ticketing apply,
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Unread 07-12-2013, 01:49   #13
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If the service is repeated in the future consideration could be given to omitting the Pearse to Malahide DART and instead operating a Pearse to Drogheda service (which could also serve all stations between Connolly and Malahide).
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Unread 07-12-2013, 19:15   #14
Inniskeen
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Why would you want to serve all stations from Connolly to Malahide ? Obvious arrangement would be a 0030 to Drogheda, non-stop from Connolly to Clongriffin, followed by a 0035 to Howth serving all stations.
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Unread 07-12-2013, 23:13   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inniskeen View Post
Why would you want to serve all stations from Connolly to Malahide ? Obvious arrangement would be a 0030 to Drogheda, non-stop from Connolly to Clongriffin, followed by a 0035 to Howth serving all stations.
Agreed especially with a diesel, doing an all shacks service would be very slow.
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Unread 08-12-2013, 04:21   #16
dowlingm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inniskeen View Post
Why would you want to serve all stations from Connolly to Malahide ? Obvious arrangement would be a 0030 to Drogheda, non-stop from Connolly to Clongriffin, followed by a 0035 to Howth serving all stations.
I fully expect any such service to be DART leading, causing an outbreak of apoplexy among rail-watchers watching the diesel stumble along behind.
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Unread 08-12-2013, 10:42   #17
Inniskeen
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Not sure what the previous post means - or am I taking it too seriously ! Still I suppose fare paying punters shouldn't be so ungrateful as to whinge about operational incompetence. Does that meet your definition of apoplexy ?

Last edited by Inniskeen : 08-12-2013 at 10:47.
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Unread 08-12-2013, 10:52   #18
Colm Moore
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Actually the DART should go first, followed by the Commuter, such that there is a good connection at Howth Junction. It would mean that people could get from locations other than the city centre.
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Unread 08-12-2013, 12:07   #19
Inniskeen
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Ok, fair enough, then DART goes at 0030, Drogheda train at 0045 not the normal nonsense of DART at 0030, and Drogheda train at 0033.

Don't imagine there would be much pick-up business at the intermediate stations but yes why not provide the option. My initial issue was why stop the Drogheda train at all stations between Connolly and Malahide.

Anyway it is all hypothetical as there is no late Drogheda service, although, of course, the Malahide DART could run limited-stop to Howth Junction or do an all stations service at 0100 instead of having northbound departures at 0030 and 0035.

Last edited by Inniskeen : 08-12-2013 at 12:12.
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Unread 08-12-2013, 16:40   #20
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The lateness of the hour that I posted at can be blamed for me not having thought it through fully!

Indeed a Drogheda train could run non-stop between Connolly and Howth Junction with the Howth-bound DART preceding it to give connectional possibilities from Raheny etc...
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