[29-11-07 1410 Belfast-Dublin]

[Mickey H]

Left Belfast 53 minutes late after the enterprise was failed due to door problems. Train is now a translink C3K

[Thomas J Stamp]

[Mark Gleeson]

As usual nothing on the IE site

But translink have this

Enterprise - Update 1410 Belfast to Dublin 29-Nov-2007 15:16
Due to mechanical knock the 1410 service from Belfast Central to Dublin is delayed by 53 minutes

Enterprise - 1410 Belfast Central to Dublin Connolly 29-Nov-2007 14:30
Due to earlier mechanical difficulties the 1410 service from Belfast to Dublin will now be a non Enterprise service.
As such there will be no First Plus and catering will be limited.

This service has an estimated time of departure from Belfast Central of 1440hrs.

16:50 out of Dublin will be late and a C3K, just pray they sent a 6 car set down

[H20]

1650 eventually boarded at 1715, however it did not leave until 1730. Irish Rail being the geniuses that they are, allowed the 1713 ex Pearse to go ahead, resulting in the Belfast train crawling behind it and eventually arriving in Dundalk at 1855. The Translink driver made little effort to disguise his frustration at Irish Rail.
Two questions, both common sense:
1. When it's looking likely that the delayed service would not leave until 1720 or later, could they not have advised Dundalk passengers to leg it over to platform 6(?) for the 1713 ex Pearse?
2. Surely they should make every effort to get the delayed service out of the blocks as quickly as possible, ie. hold back commuter/dart trains for a couple of minutes?

[James Shields]

The 17.13 also got held up somewhere, and didn't reach Drogheda till 18.20. Usually it's there about 18.05. No explamation nor apology given.

[Mark Gleeson]

The driver must have a 30 minute break so a quick turnaround is not possible

17:30 ish is the only slot out ahead of the 16:50 from Bray

17:07 to Balbriggan is in the loop at Mosney
The Skerries overtaking move is out since there is an Enterprise going the other way at the same time

To be fair delaying other services, some of which carry up to 3 times the number aboard enterprise isn't the solution

[KSW]

Mark I'm saying this nicely, InterCity(Enterprise) against Dart and Commuter its InterCity that should win the slot first..................

[Mark Gleeson]

1240 people crushed into the 17:13 are not going to appreciate a 10-15 minute delay between stations so that the 400 on the enterprise can get a clear run (would get stuck behind the 17:07 anyway). Holding the 17:13 would also back up all the DART's behind so you now have several thousands delayed for 400?

17:30 departure time gave the least disruption to all others

[KSW]

Thats alot of people.... okay okay the Dart/Commuter trains win. When another train gets stuch behind the front train and another train behind that train and another behind that train it does make sense to let the available train through.............

I just wish when your on any train and it gets delayed the train driver could come on the intercom and say "Ladies & Gentlemen, I would like to apologise for the delay of this service. We will soon be departing once an available slot for us opens up, Please make yourself comforable in the mean time"

[Thomas J Stamp]

Now we know why some things have to happen the way they do.