Air Conditioning

[James Shields]

The last few times I've been on the 8:32 from Drogheda it's been hot and sweaty and the air conditioning didn't seem to be on. So this morning I decided to do something about it (getting there with more than a minute to spare helped). I got on and checked the air conditioning unit, and as usual nothing seemed to be coming from it.

So I wander forward and chat to the driver, and ask could he switch on the air conditioning. He said that it was switched on. He then fiddled with a couple of buttons (presumably the old off-and-on) and said it was definitely on. He also mentioned the train had been off for a while so it mightn't have kicked in yet.

I go back to my seat, checking the aircon on my way. Still nothing from it. I expect another sweaty journey. But to my surprise, soon after we leave Drogheda I notice a nice cool breeze. By the time we reach Laytown the carriage seems nice and cool - almost too cool, though I wasn't complaining.

So whatever he did seems to have done the trick. I wonder if there are lots of 2900s driving around with the aircon off while the driver believes it to be switched on?