Kildare Line Problems

[Kildare Commuter]

I think the 0515 was worked by a Mk 2 set this morning.

[submarine]

The Craven coaches are one of the best vehicles ever perchased by IE. They have given excellent service for over forty years and not a sign of rust anywhere. Some of the steam pipes may leak but very little work would leave them in good order. IE should have spent a few bob on new generator vans or fixing the gear in the old ones!

[Navan Junction]

Originally Posted by submarine

The Craven coaches are one of the best vehicles ever perchased by IE.

What routes are they still operational on?

[Mark Gleeson]

This is the point the coaches are actually quite acceptable for a medium distance journey. They are let down by the heating and lighting which is not a design issue with the coaches

When the heating works and the lighting is working and steam isn't pouring out the side they are fine but they have to go this is the 21st century that kind of image is not acceptable, these coaches where hauled by steam engines in revenue earning servce in the 1960's

They are 43 years old, they fail to meet modern safety standards and are Victorian looking in some respects. Good riddance

As of today Ballina Manaulla Junc, Ballina Dublin (Friday/Sunday), 17:10 Dublin Athlone (Fridays only)

[kilman]

17:10 to Athlone is cravens every day not just fridays

[Mark Gleeson]

Its meant to be a MK2 set, all cravens coaches will be gone by 28th Feb, with the possible exception of the Manaulla Junc Ballina service, a rebuilt railcar will require commissioning before it can take over

[kilman]

Mark,
I could be wrong.
I assumed that mark 2 had automatic doors. The train still has manual doors but it doesn't have the Craven's plaque on the step in to each carriage. I think it mentions BR.

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by kilman

Mark,
I could be wrong.
I assumed that mark 2 had automatic doors. The train still has manual doors but it doesn't have the Craven's plaque on the step in to each carriage. I think it mentions BR.

Even the UK MK3s don't have automatic doors, it was CIE who introduced them

That be a Mk2d, the doors are an awful lot wider (and heavier) and the handles are always in the same place, some cravens doors open the wrong way, its got sealed windows and AC

It ain't much of an improvement really but the lights and heating tend to work, the PA is better and there is no steam pouring out of the side of it. Some would claim the old cravens had a nicer interior, it was a lot brighter but the suspension is a bit giddy