Ballina

craigybagel · 08-04-2006, 00:48

Just wondering since the demise of the venerable and much loved (or loathed depending on how much you had to use the things) cravens what have IE allocated to the Ballina branch? Or is it still a safe bet for one last noisy bouncy journey on those lovely comfy seats.....By the way my own oppinion of them used to change day to day depending on how painful my daily commute was but i wouldnt mind one last journey.

Mark Gleeson · 08-04-2006, 10:25

The Ballina branch train is still a cravens set. The Fridays only Dublin Ballina is a MK2d air conditioned set

A 2 car railcar is been sent to Ballina which will bring to an end the farcical ghost train routine where empty trains roll back and forward between Manualla Junction and Claremorris all day

Much as some of us like the deep sprung seats the cravens coaches are little better than victorian. The railcar will have wheelchair accessibilty and a working pa system and it won't have steam pouring out of the sides

craigybagel · 08-04-2006, 11:56

Thanks Mark figured youd know!

I always was fond of the steam myself it created a bit of atmosphere and distracted you from the reality of making a boring early morning commute to school.........

Mark Gleeson · 08-04-2006, 12:45

Steam pouring out of the side of coaches which are 43 years old has no place on a modern efficient railway they won't be missed, and I used to have the same morning commute experience, it was no fun when the heating died

craigybagel · 09-04-2006, 00:21

Maybe not but in my years of commuting up and down the Northern Suburban line, 6 days a week at one point, of the about half of those normal journeys that were in Cravens, i never had a cancellation. Electricity broke once, and as it was the 7;14 ex balbriggan in mid-winter most of the journey was in total darkness, but that was the most trouble i ever had. As opposed to several failures and outright cancellations on the other trains, 2700 class in particular (but then we all know how bad they are!)

Yes the Cravens dont have a part in todays modern railway, but they did a good job, even in there twilight years which is the only time i knew them in, and il be sad to see them go.

MV_001 · 09-04-2006, 19:49

Quote:

A 2 car railcar is been sent to Ballina which will bring to an end the farcical ghost train routine where empty trains roll back and forward between Manualla Junction and Claremorris all day

How will a railcar change anything? OK it doesn't have to go to Claremorris to run round, but what are the crews going to do in Manulla Junction for all the time between sevices?? There's literally NOTHING there apart from a little Portacabin, I bet you anything they'll continue running empty to Claremorris post railcarisation...

Quote:

The railcar will have wheelchair accessibilty and a working pa system and it won't have steam pouring out of the sides

The wheelchair accessibility is a fair point alright, but why would you REALLY need a PA system on the Ballina Branch? There's only ONE intermediate stop for crying out loud !! And on the way back from Ballina there's only one possible connecting train. Not much chance of anyone getting the wrong train there. It is however possible that I'm just cheesed off from listening to the annoying PA system on the DART all the way from Glenageary to Pearse every day...

Finally, I'd take Cravens seats, leg-room and ride quality over that of a railcar any day !!!!

08-04-2006, 00:48	#1
craigybagel Regular Poster Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wicklow Kilbarrack cork and all stations between Posts: 74	Ballina Just wondering since the demise of the venerable and much loved (or loathed depending on how much you had to use the things) cravens what have IE allocated to the Ballina branch? Or is it still a safe bet for one last noisy bouncy journey on those lovely comfy seats.....By the way my own oppinion of them used to change day to day depending on how painful my daily commute was but i wouldnt mind one last journey.

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08-04-2006, 10:25	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The Ballina branch train is still a cravens set. The Fridays only Dublin Ballina is a MK2d air conditioned set A 2 car railcar is been sent to Ballina which will bring to an end the farcical ghost train routine where empty trains roll back and forward between Manualla Junction and Claremorris all day Much as some of us like the deep sprung seats the cravens coaches are little better than victorian. The railcar will have wheelchair accessibilty and a working pa system and it won't have steam pouring out of the sides

08-04-2006, 11:56	#3
craigybagel Regular Poster Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wicklow Kilbarrack cork and all stations between Posts: 74	Thanks Mark figured youd know! I always was fond of the steam myself it created a bit of atmosphere and distracted you from the reality of making a boring early morning commute to school.........

08-04-2006, 12:45	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Steam pouring out of the side of coaches which are 43 years old has no place on a modern efficient railway they won't be missed, and I used to have the same morning commute experience, it was no fun when the heating died

09-04-2006, 00:21	#5
craigybagel Regular Poster Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wicklow Kilbarrack cork and all stations between Posts: 74	Maybe not but in my years of commuting up and down the Northern Suburban line, 6 days a week at one point, of the about half of those normal journeys that were in Cravens, i never had a cancellation. Electricity broke once, and as it was the 7;14 ex balbriggan in mid-winter most of the journey was in total darkness, but that was the most trouble i ever had. As opposed to several failures and outright cancellations on the other trains, 2700 class in particular (but then we all know how bad they are!) Yes the Cravens dont have a part in todays modern railway, but they did a good job, even in there twilight years which is the only time i knew them in, and il be sad to see them go.