Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson
Assuming no further screw ups there should be some of the new sets in service by end this month, it takes 15 round trips to Cork to build up the required 8000km running. If anything goes wrong the clock resets and more journeys are required.
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The strikes me as an absurd way to acceptance test something as it bears little resemblance to the real world and really is just a waste of diesel - especially if you have to start the tests again. How does this test things like door operation which seems to cause all sorts of problems in reality. Surely there should be a way to shorten the test cycle and just perform a maintenance check every day until the required mileage is built up.
Mind you, Irish Rail would probably prepare just to run the entire system this way - having passengers or freight on trains is just a headache. They are always expecting things like arriving on time, heat, comfortable seats and catering. Easier just to run all the trains empty.
Anyway, it will be nice to get an extra 22k on the Sligo line. They seemed to find one for the 1805 to Longford for about a month before Christmas but we're back to the boneshakers for the moment.