Capacity Kildare South

[comcor]

It's strange that the article refers to putting them on tracks around Limerick.

Even allowing for the Limerick Junction shuttle, Nenagh branch, Waterford and WRC services, Limerick isn't going to need 28 carriages.

[ACustomer]

huggy, comcor, thanks. The report in the journal is dated July 2017. Has there been any move on this since? Some IE projects seem to take forever.

I should imagine that the plan is to release the 2600s and 2800s for use in the Dublin area (and Ballina?). At present there should in theory be 36 2600 and 2800 vehicles (18 2-car sets) based in Limerick. This seems an awful lot, given that ICRs also operate to Limerick Junction and Galway for some services. So maybe 13 2700 sets plus a few ICRs should be enough to cover Limerick's needs.

[comcor]

2600s also operate Cork-Cobh/Midleton/Mallow

I think 2 x 2-car sets for Midleton, 1 x 2-car set + 1 x 4-car set for Cobh to operate peak schedule. I'm not sure how it works for Mallow. There seems to be only one morning service and 2 evening services that aren't operated by either Cork-Dublin or Cork-Tralee InterCity sets.

[ACustomer]

2600s also operate Cork-Cobh/Midleton/Mallow
I think 2 x 2-car sets for Midleton, 1 x 2-car set + 1 x 4-car set for Cobh to operate peak schedule. I'm not sure how it works for Mallow. There seems to be only one morning service and 2 evening services that aren't operated by either Cork-Dublin or Cork-Tralee InterCity sets.

That means you need about 6 2600 sets readily available for Cork-based services. Add in a couple of sets undergoing overhaul, repairs etc accounts pretty well for the 2600 fleet. That leaves 10 2-car 2800 sets for Limerick-based services, which seems a bit generous, when you add in one or two ICR sets covering those services as well.

[Jamie2k9]

No 2600s will leave Cork, they are all needed more or less and operate Commuter/Mallow and Cork/Tralee a few times a week.

There is only 26 2700 coaches (12 x 2 and 2 x 1) and its unclear if all will return however if they all return Limerick/Galway/Limerick J and Ballina branch will keep in the region o 10 busy regularly and then you have spares.

There will be an extra 8 units (2 spare) 2800 in Dublin and provide 2x8 car or 3x6 car or 4x2 car to operate most likely M3 and Maynooth freeing up ICRs to expand PPT/Heuston or N Commuter services.

They will not send a mix of 26/7 to Dublin because it would cost a fortune in maintenance costs if they did that.

[huggy]

So based on the evidence presented, despite Kildare south commuter trains being packed to capacity(not able to board 17.30 last Friday at 17.25) and a huge influx of new houses being developed, Irish rail have zero foresight for an impending problem, standard IR/semi state lack of accountability

[ACustomer]

huggy: don't put all the blame on Irish Rail. The National Transport Authority has arguably an even greater responsibility. Also the Government Departments of Housing/Local Government (or whatever they are called nowadays) and Transport all have ministers sitting around the same table.

No matter how wise Irish Rail might be, they cannot be held responsible for the lack of co-ordination at a higher level.

[ThomasJ]

Originally Posted by huggy

So based on the evidence presented, despite Kildare south commuter trains being packed to capacity(not able to board 17.30 last Friday at 17.25) and a huge influx of new houses being developed, Irish rail have zero foresight for an impending problem, standard IR/semi state lack of accountability

In fairness, more often than not , people are not able to board trains on the docklands M3 line, and where used in the Maynooth line and Wexford is struggling

Maybe this is more down to the trains being used on those lines.