Quote:
Originally Posted by Colm Moore
DART top speed is about 62mph (diesel 70-100mph) and DART often operates via the crossover at Malahide to the southbound platform.
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It is even slower again when it operates to the southbound platform !
As regards Sligo line services, James is very close to the mark - the current setup appears to be sub-optimal both in terms of resource utilisation and service provision.
As regards line speed on the Sligo line, much of the route is already cleared for 75mph. The Sligo line proper (beyond Mullingar) does'nt follow the canal and could easily sustain speeds of 80 mph or more. Many railway operators have differential speed limits for diesel locomotive hauled trains and railcars, as did CIE/UTA in the 1950s and 1960s. Given that 75mph running was already established for locomotive hauled trains, I would imagine that 80-85mph over worthwhile stretches of the Sligo line would only require the erection of appropriate boards !