Connolly - Longford
 

Why is there a need for two trains departing Connolly to Longford within 10mins, 17.05 & 17.15?

And the 18.05 & 18.18

There isn't, it is just lazy timetabling and set rostering.

Local politics!

Local politics was responsible for 29ks operating on the sligo line (and capacity problems on the commuter lines)

Local politics also played its part in denying the longford/mullingar line a 21.00hrs nightly service.

The 18.17 would have been operating to maynooth and the 21.00hrs to mullingar or even longford. Irish rail had this all planned but changed their mind a few days later.

hhmmm a little :confused:

a 21.00 to longford from connolly, jeepers.

The 17:05 is an intercity service to Sligo, serving the intercity stations only. The 17:15, 18:05 & 18:18 services are commuter services to Longford, serving all the stations. The more train services the better

They are probably a bit useful for Kilcock and Enfield commuters but not really for anybody going any further due to the fact that they take about 20 minutes longer than the express services. I've been commuting to Edgeworthstown for going on 8 years and I've probably the 1715 about twice and the 1818 about a dozen times and usually only when a connecting DART has failed to deposit me at Connolly as planned.

I would reckon typical loadings for the 1818 beyond Maynooth are of the order of 20 or 30 people on an 8 car 29k - maybe 50 at a real push.

It would be far more of an addition for me if these trains were replaced with a single later train - even if it was to add a 2005 - plus it would probably make the other services a lot more reliable as it would provide two less trains for the 1700 from Sligo to cross with.

But the local politicians would have a fit about this because on paper it means fewer services on the line. But more is not always better.