[Inniskeen]

Looks like the NTA are looking for some bang for their bucks. The "city centre" re-signalling is supposed to increase the capacity of the "loop line" between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock from 12 trains per hour per direction to 20 trains per hour per direction. NTA have done the sums and reckon there are 8 new paths per hour in each direction thus providing plenty of capacity for extra trains between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock.

While this proposal is not perfect it will utilise some of the massive spare capacity on the Cork line created by the KRP project as well as providing a new role for the the now little used Islandbridge to Glasnevin Junction route. Clearly conflicts will occur at Islandbridge Junction (with Heuston services), Glasnevin Junction (with Maynooth services) and at Connolly (with the Northern line). It will be interesting to see how well these conflicts are handled and the extent to which they restrict overall throughput.

Some signalling changes might prove useful at Glasnevin Junction to allow trains more closely approach the physical junction even if a clear path isn't immediately available.