Congestion on the lines ex-Connolly.

[sean]

Crayonism alert: I've been reading here and elsewhere of the difficulty of trying to run a Metro style system (a.k.a the DART) while also running increasing volumes of Intercity and Commuter traffic down the twin-track lines that run from the Conolly side of the network.

So far, this problem appears to have added unacceptable - indeed semi-fatal - delays to both the Rosslare and Belfast lines. Sligo, I fear is next, when Maynooth/Dunboyne gets the DART service that it requires, and is quite entitled to.

So I've been thinking of a possibility, of adding passing loops in the Suburban Area, in the style of 2+1 roads. Basically, for about 500M, at about 3 points on each line (Maynooth, HJ&D and Balbriggan, and Bray/Greystones) the twin line arrangement should be replaced with 3 tracks, one track in each direction, plus a centre line for passing.

So that, basically, if a Outer Commuter or Intercity train were to be stuck behind a DART, the DART would stop in the loop and the long distance train would "overtake" it down the centre line. It would cost the DART about 2 minutes, but save the IC/Commuter, I figure, an average of 10. Of course the ideal place to do this would be stations, but new stations have been built to twin line only spec

I've attached a quick sketch of what I had in mind.

Would this work? Could it be feasable?

[Thomas Ralph]

Seems sensible, if it'll fit. Something like this has been done at Kildare station.

[KSW]

Originally Posted by sean

So far, this problem appears to have added unacceptable - indeed semi-fatal - delays to both the Rosslare and Belfast lines. Sligo, I fear is next,

If a Outer Commuter or Intercity train were to be stuck behind a DART, the DART would stop in the loop and the long distance train would "overtake" it down the centre line. It would cost the DART about 2 minutes, but save the IC/Commuter, I figure, an average of 10.

Rosslare has indeed unacceptable delays getting stuck behind the DART mostly from Connolly on route to Bray about 15-20mins of delayed time behind a DART. I cant speak for Belfast or Sligo because I dont use those lines.

You have the same attitude that I have and many others InterCity(Long Distance) services should have priority. I know a DART has alot more passengers than InterCity but people who have been travelling for over 2hrs on a train say Wexford then crawling along between Bray to Connolly its so frustrating. Knowing full well that something can be done if IE put there heads together.

[sean]

It's not so much about IC services having "Priority" as much as I think we should be looking for ways to accomodate both short and long haul trains in the best possible way.

To give a long distance train a clear run through the Suburban area to/from Connolly would require putting large gaps in the DART timetable. Then you consider that long distance trains can be late (and Irish Rail isn't known for Swiss-style accordance to timetables) you end up with a situation where no-one wins. In the current arrangement (twin track all the way, at least that's how it is on the Maynooth line) it is, to a point, only proper that DARTs get priority. To a point.

I'm trying to see if there are ways to allow the DART have Metro-style timetablings, while allowing the occasional long distance service to get through in reasonable time.

[Derek Wheeler]

The DART was metro style when launched in '84. Up until '93 I used it daily without a timetable. It was eaten into by subsequent demands on both the Maynooth line first, then the Northern line and then the line south of Bray. (all of which were political motivated without regard for the actual network.)Since the "boom" things got worse. But isn't the "interconnector" supposed to sort all this out???

[KSW]

The DART deserves 100% priority but there is ways around it....without upsetting the DART and its passengers