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Unread 07-01-2011, 13:04   #2
CorkALVIN
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Join Date: May 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by comcor View Post
The new timetable sees major cutbacks on commuter services to Mallow. Perhaps that's no great surprise considering Mallow is well served by InterCity traffic and there's no sign of the new stations at Blarney and Kilbarry opening any time soon; there's little point in running a railcar just between Cork and Mallow.
While this thread is over a year old, I do find it of great interest. Ever since the joy of getting a train service again to Midleton, I thought it was pointless to run ANY of the Cobh or Midleton trains on to Mallow, as indeed the route is ever so well served by Intercity.

Personally, I think the whole idea of stations on the mainline at Blarney and Kilbarry are a BIG mistake, unless platforms can be created on 'passing-loops', as there is a need to maximise Intercity speeds on a section of line such as this, and the creation of commuter stops would only slow everything down.
Far better if Blarney was served by a reopened 'Blarney/Muskerry Tramway' which could link right through to the city centre, along with a potentil route from Ballincollig and another one from Bandon; these could link through to the Cobh and Midleton Routes which could be electrified, so you would have a true cross-city Light Rail Network: Look at Manchester, where you have a Light Rail on such lines, with former heavy rail routes such as the Bury and Altricham commuter routes converted for trams which also run on new routes through the city centre. A Light Rail solution is the only sensible long-term one for Cork, but will have to wait for improvements in economic conditions. In the meantime, it would indeed be sensible to reopen stations on the existing Cork routes at the following locations: Blackpool for the Shopping centre, Silver Springs/Tivoli, and Dunkettle, with space for a Park and Ride.
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