Dublin-Belfast Timetable Changes effective 16 November

[berneyarms]

I see from the Irish Rail journey planner that there are to be several changes to the Dublin-Belfast timetable effective 16 November:

Sunday times are getting spread out through the day a bit better, while the last train from Belfast on weekdays is leaving much later, presumably to enable the Intercity Railcar to get back to Dublin each night.

Sundays:
From Dublin Connolly:
Trains will depart at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 19:00

(Current departures are at 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 19:00)

From Belfast Central:
Trains will depart at 09:00, 11:05, 13:05, 16:05, and 19:05

(Current departures are at 10:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 19:00)

Monday to Saturday:
From Belfast Central: 20:05 deferred to 21:35

[Mark Gleeson]

Looks like I get to see the first coach from the refurbishment program next month.

As the refurbished coaches are not compatible with the unrefurbished ones it will be a bit of a mess in moving things around for a while with both ICR and C3K's around

[EnterpriseUser]

The Sunday changes are permanent and are designed to provide better timing throughout the day especially at lunchtime where the services at 1300 were always very heavily loaded.

The weekday change is temporary for the refurbishment period and is to allow the 1900 ex Dublin to work back that evening to Connolly Station hence the later departure time.

A 22000 class set with First Class and catering will substitute for the Enterprise set which is to be refurbished.

[Inniskeen]

Splitting the Sunday morning Belfast/Dublin service into two trains is long overdue. likewise a 1200 and 1400 service from Dublin is a welcome improvement.

Dropping the 1800 to Belfast on Sunday evenings is a none too clever move and will result in overcrowding on the 1900 and the necessity for additional relief trains.

IR/NIR should really bite the bullet and put additional resources into the service, especially at weekends.

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

Splitting the Sunday morning Belfast/Dublin service into two trains is long overdue. likewise a 1200 and 1400 service from Dublin is a welcome improvement.

Dropping the 1800 to Belfast on Sunday evenings is a none too clever move and will result in overcrowding on the 1900 and the necessity for additional relief trains.

IR/NIR should really bite the bullet and put additional resources into the service, especially at weekends.

Indeed - I think they should have gone with a two hourly service in each direction - from 09:00 to 19:00 from Belfast and from 10:00 to 20:00 from Dublin. That would require one of the sets doing an additional round trip.

[Mickey H]

I just booked the 1650 ex Dublin for November 19th and according to the journey planner it is still the ordinary enterprise set with reservations only possible in coach G

[Jamie2k9]

I just booked the 1650 ex Dublin for November 19th and according to the journey planner it is still the ordinary enterprise set with reservations only possible in coach G

22's start on 17 November and only operate the following services:

07.35, 13.20, 19.00 - Mon-Sat
10.00, 16.00 - Sun

10.35, 16.05, 21.35 - Mon-Sat
13.05, 19.05 - Sun

Dropping the 1800 to Belfast on Sunday evenings is a none too clever move and will result in overcrowding on the 1900 and the necessity for additional relief trains.

Surly schedule planners would know whats best for the paying customer, or are we suiting the operational needs of employees!

[Mickey H]

That explains it, thanks. Going by the new timetable the 1105 ex Belfast just does that and 1400 back. No reason why it could not then do 1800 to Dublin and 2050 or whatever back. But then it is expecting common sense from translink which is probably too much

[Mark Gleeson]

This is related to the refurbishment program, start date is November 18th

[Jamie2k9]

http://www.irishrail.ie/news/improvi...rprise-service

Improving your Enterprise Service

28 October 2014

Improving your Enterprise Service

A major upgrade of the Belfast to Dublin ‘Enterprise’ Carriages is currently taking place. The upgrade involves a significant overhaul of the train’s mechanical systems, new interiors, new livery, replacement of the Passenger Information System and a completely new electronic passenger reservation system and CCTV system. This mid-life refurbishment is designed to make rail transport between Ireland’s two largest cities even more comfortable and attractive for our existing and prospective customers.

To enable refurbishment works to these carriages, the regular Enterprise Train will be replaced by Irish Rail Intercity Diesel Railcars (ICR) on the following services from 17th November;

07:35hrs Connolly Belfast
10:35hrs Belfast Connolly
13:20hrs Connolly Belfast
16:05hrs Belfast Connolly
19:00 Connolly Belfast
21:35 Belfast Connolly

The 20:05hrs service from Belfast to Dublin Connolly will be deferred until 21:35hrs until further notice.

There will also be a new 10:30hrs service from Belfast to Connolly on Saturdays only in the run up to the Christmas period.


These services will have reduced 1st Plus and Enterprise capacity. More information is available at www.translink.co.uk/enterpriseupgrade , who are undertaking the refurbishment project on behalf of both companies.