I think the four track will make a difference to overall reliability.
I currently am among those on the 0651 (50/49? depending on which timetable you read) from Portlaoise - 0535 ex Limerick. This train is often 5 minutes plus late at Portlaoise, but as a result gets stuck behind stopping trains from Newbridge / Kildare, and as a result can lose 20 minutes from Sallins into Heuston depsite the padding in that section. The existance of additional lines should improve the situation dramatically.
Hopefully at the same time the signalling will be improved to proper multi-aspect signalling standards to allow closer headways than the current absolute block system. The current system cannot cope with the 5 minute intervals asked of it out of Heuston in the evening peak - witness the delays on the 1805 when either the 1750 or 1800 off Heuston are not perfect - although last week the 1805 made a bid for freedom and left before the 1800, thus delaying it all the way to Portlaoise (god knows where the 1825 ended up). The Cork driver was less than impressed by the sounds of the horn at Portlaoise as he passed to local waiting to turn back.
Sean
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