IE planning more express services?

Jamie2k9 · 13-11-2012, 17:36

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...f-3291881.html

Quote:

JOURNEY times by rail between Dublin and the main towns and cities will drop by up to 20 minutes early in the new year.

This is because Iarnrod Eireann is increasing the speed limit on sections of the network as part of efforts to get people out of their cars and on to public transport.

Services from Dublin to Cork, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, Westport and Kerry will benefit, with drops of up to 20 minutes on some trains.

The improvements will allow trains to travel at up to 160kmh – 40kmh faster than motorways.

Dublin to Cork, which currently takes between two hours 40 minutes and three hours five minutes, will fall to two hours 30 minutes to two hours 45 minutes – a maximum reduction of 20 minutes.

And 10 minutes will be taken from the Dublin-Waterford journey, which takes up to two hours 25 minutes, while the Dublin-Galway trip will drop by 15 minutes to a maximum of two hours thirty minutes.

The changes are possible because of a more targeted maintenance programme across the rail network.

Speed restrictions have been removed along sections of the line including Kildare, Portarlington and Limerick Junction, which were being upgraded until recent months.

Funding

The company said the works were funded out of existing maintenance budgets, and that further investment was planned.

"While rail journey times remain competitive, there is no doubt that the motorway investment has provided us with a competitive challenge," a spokesman said.

"Our trains are equipped to deliver 160kmh (100mph) speeds and above, so the key to journey-time improvement is the network. Further improvements would require investment, and we have already highlighted this as a key medium-term priority.

"It is hoped these changes will attract more people to services which will help make the case for further improvements."

A strategic report published earlier this year said if €250m was invested over the next five years, journey times could drop to just two hours on services to Galway, Limerick and Waterford, and two hours 30 minutes on the Cork route.

The investment would establish rail as a "strong option" for these trips, and bring a high level of consistency to journey times.

Iarnrod Eireann also said timetable changes were being finalised which will be put out for public consultation later this month.

The changes will be introduced early next year, if approved by the National Transport Authority.

If 10 minutes being knocked off Waterford service then why bother upgrading the line to 100 when 12-15 minutes can be knocked off right away.

According to boards trail services serving Athy-Waterford was done in 2 hours so allow crossovers then max it should be is 2h06m based on two crossings. Then services stopping in Kildare/Newbridge should have 2h12m max based on two crossings also. 18.05 on Sundays operates in 2h15m with two crossings as could most others I do be on.

Then this could just be more poor research from the Indo as before...

comcor · 14-11-2012, 15:03

Did the Indo actually read the timetable before publishing that? 2h 30 is already the speed of the fastest Cork-Dublin train.

Thomas J Stamp · 22-11-2012, 10:56

its now 80 mph through ballybrophy

Jamie2k9 · 05-12-2012, 18:52

Noticed a lot of new tracks in the sidings at Charleville including 4 sets of points.

Also Cork station looks to be facing a 7-10 day closure (Cork-Dublin services only) in the new year for works. From a conversation I overheard it will cost IE a lot of money and its a serous problem. Not going to post as I didn't hear eveything but its with the tunnel.

Mark Gleeson · 05-12-2012, 21:00

Lets keep away from things which were overheard, 99% of it is rubbish and you have no idea of the context

I've lost count of the number of rumors in the past, we are aware of Irish Rail spreading stories to staff to see where it leaks to,

Jamie2k9 · 05-12-2012, 21:19

You may be correct but the part I heard dosn't sound like it was made up or IE staff made up some fine details about it. We will just have to wait and see.

dowlingm · 06-12-2012, 04:44

If IE was to close for 7-10 days the Christmas Day-New Years Day period is when it should be happening. Wasn't that how it was done when they dealt with Dun Laoghaire's slab track?

Of course, if this had been built (with a crossover) maybe it wouldn't be quite such a big deal to do it, though train storage might have meant some truncations to Mallow and early morning deadheads.

22-11-2012, 10:56	#3
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	its now 80 mph through ballybrophy __________________ We are the passengers

05-12-2012, 18:52	#4
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	Noticed a lot of new tracks in the sidings at Charleville including 4 sets of points. Also Cork station looks to be facing a 7-10 day closure (Cork-Dublin services only) in the new year for works. From a conversation I overheard it will cost IE a lot of money and its a serous problem. Not going to post as I didn't hear eveything but its with the tunnel. Last edited by Jamie2k9 : 05-12-2012 at 18:54.

05-12-2012, 21:00	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Lets keep away from things which were overheard, 99% of it is rubbish and you have no idea of the context I've lost count of the number of rumors in the past, we are aware of Irish Rail spreading stories to staff to see where it leaks to, __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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14-11-2012, 15:03	#2
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	Did the Indo actually read the timetable before publishing that? 2h 30 is already the speed of the fastest Cork-Dublin train.

05-12-2012, 21:19	#6
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	You may be correct but the part I heard dosn't sound like it was made up or IE staff made up some fine details about it. We will just have to wait and see.

06-12-2012, 04:44	#7
dowlingm Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,371	If IE was to close for 7-10 days the Christmas Day-New Years Day period is when it should be happening. Wasn't that how it was done when they dealt with Dun Laoghaire's slab track? Of course, if this had been built (with a crossover) maybe it wouldn't be quite such a big deal to do it, though train storage might have meant some truncations to Mallow and early morning deadheads.