[11-25/08/2013] All-Ireland Semi Finals
 

So no specials via the PPT. :(

they should send Ennis special via Athenry to give the rare sight of a crowded service

I agree with 'dowlingm' except travelling via Athenry might result in they being late for the kick off:rolleyes:

These services are run for commercial reasons only and not to satisfy people in the West. IE are getting 50 euro per passenger by going via Cork line and there is not a hope people would pay this to travel on the WRC to give people a show of a busy service.

taking life a little seriously there Jamie - 'twas said in jest.

That said the Galway line is 100mph in spots now so I'm not sure the timing issue would be quite so acute as it might have been previously. If I was looking to take the michael altogether I would have suggested a lawnmower down the Moate line to facilitate the Claremen going through the "back door" - arf arf

Actually lads Ennis to Dublin via Athenry is shorter and potentially faster than Ennis to Dublin (via Limerick).

The speed Limit between Ennis and Athenry is 80 mph, Ennis to Limerick is 50 mph, Limerick/ Limerick Junction is 70 mph. Main advantage of running via Limeick is the additional 65 miles approx of double track between Portarlington and Limerick Junction and the somewhat greater proportion of90/100 mph track between Limerick Junction and Portarlington compared to Athenry/Portarlington.

Instead of a 0900 from Ennis (via Limerick) due Heuston 1145 as currently scheduled, this train could instead operate ss follows

0915 from Ennis, Gort 0938, Athenry 1003, Athlone 1035, Heuston 1150.

Running via Athenry would involve re-timing the 0830 from Galway to 0850 - a better option than cancelling the 0900 Limerick to Galway between Limerick and Ennis as is planned for August 18th.

Still Irish Rail and the knowledgeable posters above know better !

I suspect the best route is down to paasenger convenience rather than speed.

Plenty of Clare fans will pick up the train in Limerick and while Sixmilebridge isn't exactly a metropolis, it will also serve Shannon town and Newmarket-on-Fergus.

On the other hand, if you go the other way, Gort is only convenient to some comparatively sparsely populated areas of North Clare.

Inniskeen - I never noticed the Ennis-Athenry line speed upgrade in the 2014 Network Statement. I guess the magic pencils have made an appearance here too :D

Comcor - if the train started from Limerick (possible/likely) then first stop Sixmilebridge would be possible continuing around through Ennis. I understand some 22Ks do a circle path anticlockwise at present (Dublin-Galway-Limerick-Dublin)

The WRC limit is 65 or 70 at the highest, mostly goes at 45-50mph and if it had a limit of 80mph then nobody would be complaining how slow it is. Not one part has speed of 80mph.

A little surprised at 70 on Limerick to the Junction would of expected 80mph.

There is a separate Limerick special, also the Emmis special is not scheuled to stop at Sixmilebridge.

Jamie, as for the maximum speed limit between Ennis and Athenry it is definitely 80 mph.

Not according to IE network statement for next year and if it is 80 I expect very few sections have 80moph running. When I was on the route I never reached 80mph.

Jamie, I have often travelled on the Cork line and barely hit 90 mph, but the speed limit is 100 mph. I wouldn't get overly excited about the IR network statement nor would I rely on it as the definitive source of information.

If you don't believe me go for a trip from Athenry to Ennis, sit on the left hand side and observe the speed boards. A significant portion of the libe is placarded for 80 mph.

A lot of the Cork route is largely 90 not 100, Limerick J-Thurles and Charville and the Quad track near Dublin are Dublin side of Portlaoise. Everywhere else is more less 90 and not the 100 that many people believe.

One odd bit of speed signage on the route is once the Cork trains for Dublin leave Limerick J there is 100mph sign but when the direct Limerick track meets the line it 90. With signs are meters apart. So its either Cork can go 100 but ICR's from Limerick can't or someone forgot to take one of the signs down.

If the WRC is 80 then are these speeds being achieved as if they are then why is it taking so long?

Oh and BTW I think I will pass on traveling along the route again, twice was enough.

Well for one thing it's probably timetabled for a 2800 plus it's a single track line so waits for clear track more common. 2800s can't do more than 70 or 75 I think?