13:05 Dublin - Sligo 25th May

[sublimity]

Took this train on Friday to Sligo and I was genuinely horrified when I realised it was a 29K at the platform.

Some of my friends had to stand for the whole journey. The toilets were also filthy.

How can Irish Rail justify using these commuter trains for a 3 hour journey all the way to Sligo?

I cannot believe they are still being used. Can they not use a MK4 if there are no 22ks available?

All trains to Sligo should be of intercity standard.

I will be lodging a complaint to Irish Rail tomorrow.

[Jamie2k9]

You are wasting your time complaining, its been a 2900 for years however was briefly replaced by a 22000 for a few months but I guess numbers exceeded capacity.

The Mark IV are not available either.

[Inniskeen]

I don't think it has anything to do with capacity on the 1305 - the 4 car 2900 provides less seats than the ICR.

The set of the 1305 is used to augment the 1600 to Sligo on Fridays. There are alternatives

1) Run the standard sized 1600 Sligo non stop Drumcondra to Mullingar (or beyond) on a Friday with a 29k relief to Mullingar.

2) Requision an ICR from either the Docklands/M3 Parkway or Grand Canal Dock/Newbridge service and substitute with the 29k currently used on the 1305.

[ThomasJ]

Icrs should not be used on m3 parkway. They don't have the capacity and are known to leave passengers on that line on the platform as theres no space on board.

Direct switch

[sublimity]

Originally Posted by ThomasJ

Icrs should not be used on m3 parkway. They don't have the capacity and are known to leave passengers on that line on the platform as theres no space on board.

Direct switch

Agreed Thomas. Let's hope this happens soon.

[sublimity]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

I don't think it has anything to do with capacity on the 1305 - the 4 car 2900 provides less seats than the ICR.

The set of the 1305 is used to augment the 1600 to Sligo on Fridays. There are alternatives

1) Run the standard sized 1600 Sligo non stop Drumcondra to Mullingar (or beyond) on a Friday with a 29k relief to Mullingar.

2) Requision an ICR from either the Docklands/M3 Parkway or Grand Canal Dock/Newbridge service and substitute with the 29k currently used on the 1305.

I like the second option

[Jamie2k9]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

I don't think it has anything to do with capacity on the 1305 - the 4 car 2900 provides less seats than the ICR.

The set of the 1305 is used to augment the 1600 to Sligo on Fridays. There are alternatives

1) Run the standard sized 1600 Sligo non stop Drumcondra to Mullingar (or beyond) on a Friday with a 29k relief to Mullingar.

2) Requision an ICR from either the Docklands/M3 Parkway or Grand Canal Dock/Newbridge service and substitute with the 29k currently used on the 1305.

It is a capacity issue, the 13.00 cannot cope with a 4 ICR due to overcrowding hence the 2900 is used instead.

[Inniskeen]

A 4 car ICR has around 280 seats, a 4 car 2900 about 190. The 1305 Sligo (on a Friday or any other day) wouldn't typically load more 300 passengers. The reasons for the Friday arrangement is to release the 1305 set to strengthen the 1600.

[ThomasJ]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

A 4 car ICR has around 280 seats, a 4 car 2900 about 190. The 1305 Sligo (on a Friday or any other day) wouldn't typically load more 300 passengers. The reasons for the Friday arrangement is to release the 1305 set to strengthen the 1600.

The issue is, if there are more than 280 on board, there's not much standing room.

I have done it before and i can tell You it is not a nice experience standing on a 22k. It's far better standing on the 29k trains .

[sublimity]

Originally Posted by Jamie2k9

You are wasting your time complaining, its been a 2900 for years however was briefly replaced by a 22000 for a few months but I guess numbers exceeded capacity.

The Mark IV are not available either.

Well the more people complain about this, the better the chance of Irish Rail actually doing something about this.