Safety rules restrict all trains introduced since the mid 1990's to 4 coach or less at all Nenagh line stations, nothing new about that

http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/loc...full-1-4173812

credit to the Nenagh Rail partnership

A service like this would be ideal for an SDO 6-car consist since there is no intermediate traffic within Tipp so the train could stop either long or short depending on which three carriages it was deemed best to fill. In some ways AK is doing a great service because stabling trains in places like Birdhill might be poohpoohed in other circumstances and now it can be said "look lads, ye did it before in Birdhill so ye need a better excuse now".

As for the questions about "why wouldn't it make money" - we went over it last time, you either believe it or you don't. Personally I doubt Nenagh branch signalmen and gate openers are doing it for charity so clearly there are costs involved. If you want something done about it then write to Dick Fearn and ask him why his trains are incapable of serving rural stations during surge conditions because of a failure to complete the tender for selective door opening, since the extra 3 carriages would be nearly pure profit excepting fuel.

Fair play - great to see an active local support achieving something positive.

There was a great deal of hot air on this board about last years special - yet according to Mark it made a profit. Expect that this year's one way arrangement will do likewise, otherwise somebody had better buy Irish Rail a calculator. No reason for an operation like this to run at a loss.

Last year fares per adult were €19.99 (could be wrong)
This year fares per adult were €9.99

So fares slashed 50% and you think it can make a profit? Can't see operational cost decreases but could have increased with fuel costs.

According to the Nenagh Guardian, fares for the 3 Sep 2011 train were 29.50 adult, 15 child.
http://www.nenaghguardian.ie/news-de...article=M5ZNLT

€19.51 less per passenger assuming all adult or €3706.90 revenue for 190 passengers less and it only made €200 last year....

That sums it up.

its actually only 10 less - the return fare for sunday is €19.98 and a regular service is being used for return leg so less costs

My mistake but any fare reduction will make the service operate at a loss.

Should all rail services be profitable?

Ones that are not subsidized should make a profit

If a loss is made that loss is paid for by you and me

Surely a subsidy is similarly paid by you and me !

we also have 190 people returning and paying €9.99 who would not be on regular service but for the train up tomorrow morning.

we have 190 people who would otherwise be clogging up the approach roads and carparks in Dublin

and we have 190 people who might actually be impressed by the comfort and efficiency of the service and whomight think of using it again !

We have 190 people in Thurles not afforded their normal GAA special

No one in Thurles is being put out

There is a 9.55 match special from Lim Jct serving Thurles and Templemore only.

There are also three regular services stopping at Thurles that arrive in plenty of time in Dublin - two of which are not sold out

well, hopefully everything goes off well and the Minister will be on board so he can be asked when projects that could make the Nenagh branch viable on days Tipp aren't playing in Croke Park will be funded. It's understandable yet depressing to see the TRP having to welcome crumbs like this after IE made the 300 day/year commuter service they fought for completely unviable for actual commuters because failure to do so would lead to their being shut out by the Powers That Be in the future.