[30-3-2007 7-4-2007] Dublin Belfast Security Alert Aftermath

[tigger1962]

running 20 mins late. it is a 4 car ni rail commuter train. currently packed. nearly everyone that got on in dundalk is standing. due to security alert apparently

[Mark Gleeson]

Must be a 3 car 3CK NIR don't have any 4 car commuter trains unless its the old slam door yoke

Belfast line - security alert by Corporate Communications

30th March - 07.50hrs

Due to a security alert near Lisburn, services between Connolly and Belfast will operate between Connolly and Portadown, with bus transfers between Newry and Belfast, until further notice.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.

Translink had the notice up at 7:13am a full 37 minutes ahead

[tigger1962]

hmmm so that begs the question why did Iarnrod eireann not run a longer service from dundalk... they have done it before!! The train stopped in Drogheda and people squeezed onto the train. some people could not get on and so ran accrossto the other commuter train. The train arrived in Connolly at 9.19. You arr correct. it was a 3 carriage train!.. i didn't have room to use the laptop at drogheda as i was squeezed against the wall... brought back old memories of the balbriggan commute!

The same train is being used on the reverse journey to belfast!

[tigger1962]

30th March - 07.50hrs

Due to a security alert near Lisburn, services between Connolly and Belfast will operate between Connolly and Portadown, with bus transfers between Newry and Belfast, until further notice.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.

[Mark Gleeson]

C3k is a fine train but a 3 car will never cope

There are 2 enterprise sets trapped in Belfast and IE have no spare rolling stock at rush hours so the 3Ck will be out all day till its sorted up north

[tigger1962]

hmmm god help the 15.20/16.50 passengers so!! There is mention of boarding an enterprise at Portadown...so one of the enterprise trains is still on the move? the 7.35 one maybe?

[Mark Gleeson]

That would be the 7:35 from Dublin coming back but they will need a further 3Ck as well to make it work

[Mark Gleeson]

So compare

Originally Posted by Translink

Goldline - Service 200 Belfast to Dublin 30-Mar-2007 11:36
Due to the ongoing security operation on the railway line and high level customer demand, intending passengers travelling by bus to Dublin are advised to allow adequate time to board services and arrive to the bus station early.

NI Railways - Security Operation Lurgan to Moira 30-Mar-2007 7:13
Due to a security operation by the PSNI, there will be a bus substitution between Lurgan and Moira and vice versa.
There will also be a bus substitution for passengers travelling cross border between Belfast and Newry.
Passengers travelling cross border from Portadown will board the Enterprise as normal in Portadown.

and

Originally Posted by IE

Belfast line - security alert by Corporate Communications

30th March - 11.00hrs

Due to a security alert near Lurgan, services between Connolly and Belfast will operate between Connolly and Portadown, with bus transfers from Newry and Portadown to Belfast, until further notice.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.

No contest Translink provide a much better explanation and precise information on where you change trains

[tigger1962]

agreed!! There is no comparason. I'm planning to be on the 15.20 service today. I'll see what its like but I might end up on the earlier 14.50 commuter service!

[Mark Gleeson]

Once again a top notch service from Irish Rail

Belfast line - security alert by Corporate Communications

Friday 30th March

Due to a security alert near Lurgan, services today (Friday 30th March) between Connolly and Belfast are operating between Connolly and Portadown, with bus transfers from Newry and Portadown to Belfast.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.

Translink of course are on the ball

Latest Update 31-Mar-2007 10:31
A security operation at Lurgan is continuing to disrupt NI Railways and Enterprise services . Please see below for full details.


Enterprise - Cross-Border Line Latest Information 31-Mar-2007 9:18
Due to continuing security operation by the PSNI, the cross-border railway line remains closed outside Lurgan this morning.

Enterprise services are currently operating to and from Portadown only. Passengers travelling to/from Belfast Central are currently being transferred by bus substitution between Newry and Belfast.

Due to operational constraints, Translink cannot guarantee that cross-border rail services will be operated by the Enterprise today. As such, First Plus and catering facilities may not be available on some services.

For further information, please contact the Translink Call Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30 (seven days, 7am to 8pm).


NI Railways - Portadown Line Latest Information 31-Mar-2007 9:17
Due to a continuing security operation by the PSNI, the railway line remains closed outside Lurgan. The arrangements for Portadown Line rail services this morning are as follows.

Trains will operate at the normal times between Belfast and Lisburn.
A bus substitution service will operate between Lisburn and Lurgan.
A shuttle rail service will operate between Lurgan and Portadown.

Intending passengers are advised to expect delays.

For further information, please contact the Translink Call Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30 (seven days, 7am to 8pm).


Goldline Express - Service 200 Belfast to Dublin 30-Mar-2007 11:36
Due to the ongoing security operation on the railway line and high level customer demand, intending passengers travelling by bus to Dublin are advised to allow adequate time to board services and arrive to the bus station early.

[MrX]

I always find the "CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS" tag line very officious too. I don't know why, but it's unncessary and comes across as very unfriendly.
How about from "Iarnrod Éireann Customer Care"

IE needs to wake up and start providing more information. It also needs to be much more pro-active about calling local radio.

If the enterprise is not working IE needs to be onto :
Newstalk, TodayFM, RTE Radio, the Dublin Locals and LMFM with a full explanation of alternative arrangements so that people can arrive prepared.
& AA Roadwatch.

Same goes for any other line.

[Derek Wheeler]

The IE CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS office is actually their PR dept with an egotistical name as their heads are jammed firmly up an area thats too rude to mention on this forum. The whole thing comes down to the fact that they still don't have a customer care centre. That should be a call centre with at least 20 staff manning phones dealing with complaints, travel alerts etc. (free phone number)They said it was on the way. That was a year ago.

[Mark Gleeson]

Line was cleared but seems the locals are causing some trouble http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6509289.stm

Security alert at Lurgan has now been cleared however due to civil unrest the Portadown line will remain closed until further notice.
Trains will operate fom Lisburn - Belfast - Lisburn as normal however a bus shuttle will operate between Lisburn, Moira and Lurgan.

A train/bus shuttle service will operate between Lurgan and Portadown - please check with the Inspector at the Station for further details.

For further information please contact the Translink Callcentre on 02890 666630

Enterprise - Dublin Line Update 31-Mar-2007 16:12
The security alert at Lurgan has now been cleared however due to civil unrest the Dublin line will be closed until further notice.

Passengers travelling to Dublin from Belfast will still be bussed to Newry where they will connect with the Enterprise - the Enterprise will depart Portadown for Dublin as normal.

Passengers travelling from the South will alight at Newry where they will board buses for Belfast. The Enterprise will operate to Portadown as normal.

For further information please contact the Translink Callcentre on 02890 666630.

Goldline Express - Service 200 Belfast to Dublin 30-Mar-2007 11:36
Due to the ongoing security operation on the railway line and high level customer demand, intending passengers travelling by bus to Dublin are advised to allow adequate time to board services and arrive to the bus station early.

No update on IE site

[Mark Gleeson]

Another great one from the boys in Connolly

So a bus transfer is normal??

Travel Alerts

Belfast line - Normal Services have resumed by Corporate Communications

UPDATE - Monday 2nd April

Services between Connolly and Belfast have now resumed, however these services may be subjected to slight delays.

Please note that the 20.45hrs Connolly to Belfast services will operate between Connolly and Portadown, with bus transfers from Newry and Portadown to Belfast.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.

[Mark Gleeson]

The plot thickens again, once again Translink show a decent effort to provide timely and well written information

Enterprise - 2045 Dublin to Belfast , Monday 2nd to Saturday 7th April 2-Apr-2007 9:33
Due to the vandalism at the weekend of a NI Railways signalling box in the Lurgan area the Dublin line will be closed between Lisburn and Portadown at approximately 2100hrs each night this week, Monday 2nd April to Saturday 7th April.

As a result passengers travelling on the 2045hrs Enterprise from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Central each evening will be conveyed from Newry to Belfast by a bus substitution.

The 1900hrs Enterprise service from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Central will make additional stops at Lurgan and Lisburn.

The Enterprise will operate to Portadown as normal each evening.

The Dublin line will reopen each morning (Tuesday to Saturday) in time for the 0650hrs Enterprise from Belfast Central to Dublin Connolly to operate.

For further information please contact the Translink Callcentre on 02890 666630.

[Mark Gleeson]

So there is a bus transfer every night till Saturday on the 20:45 from Dublin

Translink have notice, Irish Rail do not

Translink state possibility of delays owing to damaged signalling equipment, Irish Rail say nothing