Line Speeds

[2200DMU]

Is it possible to get a complete breakdown of the line speed between Waterford - Heuston.

Permanent Speed Restrictions - why don't Irish Rail fix the problem instead of haveing permanent Speed Restrictions. Are they just a quick fix instead of actually spending money on fixing the line.

On another note, many people in the South East say any increase in fares on the line will lead to a further decline in Passengers.

[Mark Gleeson]

If you have a legitimate need for the line speeds you can ask Irish Rail and they will quite happily give you a copy of the latest numbers.

Despite the scare stories, Irish Rail's passengers numbers are actually holding firm at a time where Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann are in serious trouble. Numbers in 2010 were close to 2 million above the target agreed with the NTA, Irish Rail is still ahead of 2005 numbers while Dublin Bus is back to 2001 ish era

Rosslare, Westport and to a lesser degree Sligo are doing quite well. Western Rail Corridor on the other hand is a mess

[ACustomer]

I think that the Network Statement agreed with the NTA (?) gives a lot of detail, including line speeds and permanent restrictions en route. Don't have a link to hand unfortunately, but I've seen it online somewhere.

[Kilocharlie]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

If you have a legitimate need for the line speeds you can ask Irish Rail and they will quite happily give you a copy of the latest numbers.

Despite the scare stories, Irish Rail's passengers numbers are actually holding firm at a time where Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann are in serious trouble. Numbers in 2010 were close to 2 million above the target agreed with the NTA, Irish Rail is still ahead of 2005 numbers while Dublin Bus is back to 2001 ish era

Rosslare, Westport and to a lesser degree Sligo are doing quite well. Western Rail Corridor on the other hand is a mess

Over the past few months, there has been a noticeable increase in loadings on some trains. For example the 0600 from Waterford and 0515 from Westport. In the past there was no problem getting a seat but now these trains, especially the 3-car Westport (should really be 6-car), are quite full from Kildare/Newbridge.

[Inniskeen]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

If you have a legitimate need for the line speeds you can ask Irish Rail and they will quite happily give you a copy of the latest numbers.

Despite the scare stories, Irish Rail's passengers numbers are actually holding firm at a time where Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann are in serious trouble. Numbers in 2010 were close to 2 million above the target agreed with the NTA, Irish Rail is still ahead of 2005 numbers while Dublin Bus is back to 2001 ish era

Rosslare, Westport and to a lesser degree Sligo are doing quite well. Western Rail Corridor on the other hand is a mess

Hope your right about the numbers - what is visible on the ground suggests that patronage on most services are struggling severely. Don't see anthing growing at present. Many services, including DART and Dublin suburban, appear to be anything between 30% and 50% down on a few years ago.

[ACustomer]

To follow up my earlier post and to reply the the original point made about permanent speed restrictions. First the link to the Network statement (which is very informative): https://irishrail.ie/upload/IE_Netwo...ement_2011.pdf

Second: if you take the Waterford line, the overall line maximum is 80mph. The permanent restrictions are largely due to curvature and are not really capable of being changed all that much, e.g. 30mph through Carlow; 60 and 50 mph at the main junction at Lavistown (depending on route); 50 through Thomastown and 70 in places between Thomastown and Waterford. There are also limits on the approaches to Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford for safety reasons (it is not considered wise to go from 80 to 30 in one go).

[2200DMU]

60 and 50 mph at the main junction at Lavistown (depending on route);

Its down to 25 inbound and outbound at the junction for trains to/from Waterford at Lavistown and less than 50 for Dublin side.

(it is not considered wise to go from 80 to 30 in one go).

If so why does it drop from 70-80 miles to 25 all of a sudden approching the Lavistown J from Thomastwon side and many times the driver can't get the train down to 25 in time as ends up going way faster over the junction. The 25mph sign is seconds before the juction and you would think that somebody pulled the emergency brake.

[jacko]

anecdotal evidence is that the Cork commuter line numbers are up significantly