[article] Trains delayed as crews had to open level crossings

[Mark Gleeson]

Most modern railway in Europe I think not

Originally Posted by Irish Times

Trains delayed as crews had to open level crossings
Michael Parsons

Members of Iarnród Éireann train crews have had to disembark from trains on the busy Waterford-Dublin line three times since April to open and close manually operated level crossings because the gatekeepers were not in attendance.

The incidents occurred at three different crossings, all in Co Kilkenny, because "the gatekeeper wasn't in attendance", said Mr Kenny. The most recent incident was last week.

The Waterford-Dublin line is used by thousands of passengers daily and also serves Dublin-bound commuters from towns in counties Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare.

Mr Kenny also confirmed that a lightning strike caused a signal fault along the Waterford line which delayed morning trains yesterday.

He said Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag) station in Co Carlow was unattended and the car park locked because the station keeper had been called away to a signal box to deal with the consequences of the strike. As a result travellers who arrived at 7am found the gates padlocked.

© 2007 The Irish Times
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ire...251583103.html

Only in Ireland would you have to put up this kind of crap.

[Mark]

As a result travellers who arrived at 7am found the gates padlocked.

Whats wrong with that? Oh wait now I see the ambiguity..

[AndrewMc]

Any particular reason these level crossings aren't automated yet?

[KSW]

Guys I thought when a line is signalled then the level crossings on the route will be automated.. Outside Wexford there is one automated crossing, But on route to Wicklow there is a crossing but there is a gate keeper.. So I think its the luck of the draw. Iarnrod Eireann would rather pay someone to do this than investing in proper crossings.....

[Mark Gleeson]

All level crossings at or close to stations are automated when the signaling is replaced as the crossings need to be directly connected to the signaling

There is a policy to eliminate all level crossings where possible, something like 350 have been closed in the last 10 years.

There isn't much wrong with manual crossings at times the local road layouts make automation impractical on safety grounds. There are no excuses if the gate is to be staffed there should be someone there.

There are 5 manual gates on the Waterford line as far as we know

Believe it or not even the DART line has user worked level crossing