New Train Service from Newry

[irishsaint]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

The understanding we had was extra services using suitable trains and that is in directly alignment with the submission made to the North/South body and the response from both Translink and IE. This is the usual half arsed Irish Rail solution which makes life worse.

Overcrowding is a serious problem, grand if you have a seat, horrible otherwise. Irish Rail did cut the 7:10 to 6 coaches for a few days recently.

The Newry Dundalk section is notorious for wheelslip and as I've pointed out numerous times there are no trains of any type currently approved to operate in NI so how exactly this will occur is anyones guess, after all Irish Rail's statement clearly says they waiting on extra trains to become available some of which are fully equipped for Northern Ireland.

I agree about not having a seat but not having a seat can't be classed as overcrowding? On intercity services, its shambolic but commuter and DART, it has to be expected. I remember when people were standing from Laytown on the 07:10, I have not seen that since before the Malahide incident now - regarding the 6 coaches, I have not been on the 07:10 this week.

Maybe it is a half arsed solution but I would say the majority of the Newry users of a new 06:50 service are the ones you will find that go to Dundalk for the 07:10 anyway, I don't think passenger numbers from Newry will increase the passenger count on this service but will reduce the number of car park spaces being used in Dundalk.

But this 07:10 from Dundalk may not be extended to Newry - all I know is there is a 06:50 starting in Newry from December 13th. Maybe one of NI's C3Ks which leaves Newry around 07:30 is going to do a Newry - Dundalk service before returning to Newry for the Newry Belfast service @ 07:30, meaning a change at Dundalk for the 07:10 Dundalk to Bray?

[Mark Gleeson]

Irish Rail have indicated ownership of the service. True a C3K could be used which would resolve many practical matters. It would require a 6 piece set with two drivers and two conductors on the 6:20 from Portadown, split at Newry. NIR has suspended all 6 coach operations recently due shortage of trains.

That said having to change trains is again was not what was proposed, direct Belfast Dublin arriving 8:30-8:40

The information tends to suggest a one way service with no corresponding Dundalk Newry leg