Foynes International Station 2023AD

Traincustomer · 27-07-2011, 17:15

Home again! The economic crisis had worsened in the 2010s and several thousand people had been chosen at random and compulsorily sent elsewhere to work at pittance sub minimum wage levels but on the plus side accommodation and free transit had been included.

New volcanic activity emanating from the ocean-bed had meant that airspace was closed on average for several months each year. Consequently there were now several high speed eco-powered ships traversing the North Atlantic. Some of these conveyed Amtrak trains which then ran through to either Heuston or Belfast Great Victoria Street.

As my Amtrak train trundled off the ship into the great trainshed of Foynes International Station, the public address announced that due to a minor maintenance issue we would be delayed twenty-five minutes before continuing to Heuston.

I stepped onto Platform 4 and had a look around. A Traenacha Éireann EMU was at Platform 3 on the Limericklink service whereas the Cork Railway Cooperative’s hourly DMU to Youghal was pulling out of Platform 5. The original Foynes station had been converted into a museum but time didn’t permit a visit on this occasion.

A dusty plaque on the wall commemorated the now near-forgotten company who had owned the station and line (indeed the railway “network”) between 1987 and 2013.

A lottery win had enabled Rail Users Ireland to establish a network of award-winning information kiosks cum shops at key stations around the country. I went in and bought a daily national plus a hot chocolate for the extremely reasonable price of one punt (the euro was no more in Ireland). The man serving me even gave me a complimentary national timetable book detailing all twelve operators who now formed the railway network.

I was just surveying the scene from the viewing balcony when an Amtrak customer care rep informed me that the train was ready for boarding again. And what a scene it was – at least seven freight trains in various stages of loading, unloading, coming and going, dotted around the freight complex. In the distance the triple track line to Limerick and beyond trailed off towards the horizon.

It was then that I realised my briefcase was missing…continue to Dublin on the Amtrak or wait for the next train, Chinarail’s weekly train to Shanghai via Dublin, London & Moscow?!

On the other hand I had just noticed that the station’s Cineplex on the mezzanine level was showing a film of great merit later that evening.

Just then I heard drum beats… actually rain…just as well that the trainshed roof was made of extra-strong material… Strange how the sky had been blue in all directions just five minutes ago.
Changes, decisions, this brilliant revision!

(Posted in compliance with the spirit of this Forum i.e. “tell a joke…Its just for fun”)

Thomas J Stamp · 28-07-2011, 09:45

Traincustomer · 28-07-2011, 13:32

By the way the briefcase was found atop a freight train but that's a tale for another day perhaps!

27-07-2011, 17:15	#1
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 602	Foynes International Station 2023AD Home again! The economic crisis had worsened in the 2010s and several thousand people had been chosen at random and compulsorily sent elsewhere to work at pittance sub minimum wage levels but on the plus side accommodation and free transit had been included. New volcanic activity emanating from the ocean-bed had meant that airspace was closed on average for several months each year. Consequently there were now several high speed eco-powered ships traversing the North Atlantic. Some of these conveyed Amtrak trains which then ran through to either Heuston or Belfast Great Victoria Street. As my Amtrak train trundled off the ship into the great trainshed of Foynes International Station, the public address announced that due to a minor maintenance issue we would be delayed twenty-five minutes before continuing to Heuston. I stepped onto Platform 4 and had a look around. A Traenacha Éireann EMU was at Platform 3 on the Limericklink service whereas the Cork Railway Cooperative’s hourly DMU to Youghal was pulling out of Platform 5. The original Foynes station had been converted into a museum but time didn’t permit a visit on this occasion. A dusty plaque on the wall commemorated the now near-forgotten company who had owned the station and line (indeed the railway “network”) between 1987 and 2013. A lottery win had enabled Rail Users Ireland to establish a network of award-winning information kiosks cum shops at key stations around the country. I went in and bought a daily national plus a hot chocolate for the extremely reasonable price of one punt (the euro was no more in Ireland). The man serving me even gave me a complimentary national timetable book detailing all twelve operators who now formed the railway network. I was just surveying the scene from the viewing balcony when an Amtrak customer care rep informed me that the train was ready for boarding again. And what a scene it was – at least seven freight trains in various stages of loading, unloading, coming and going, dotted around the freight complex. In the distance the triple track line to Limerick and beyond trailed off towards the horizon. It was then that I realised my briefcase was missing…continue to Dublin on the Amtrak or wait for the next train, Chinarail’s weekly train to Shanghai via Dublin, London & Moscow?! On the other hand I had just noticed that the station’s Cineplex on the mezzanine level was showing a film of great merit later that evening. Just then I heard drum beats… actually rain…just as well that the trainshed roof was made of extra-strong material… Strange how the sky had been blue in all directions just five minutes ago. Changes, decisions, this brilliant revision! (Posted in compliance with the spirit of this Forum i.e. “tell a joke…Its just for fun”) Last edited by Traincustomer : 27-07-2011 at 17:19. Reason: minor typing mistake

28-07-2011, 09:45	#2
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	__________________ We are the passengers

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28-07-2011, 13:32	#3
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 602	By the way the briefcase was found atop a freight train but that's a tale for another day perhaps!