[John J]

With a single-track line it only takes one late departure for the knock-on effects to begin, and before you know it every train on the line is late for the rest of the day.

It seem that to be that the increased frequency on the Sligo line over the past few weeks has served to highlight the inadequacy of the 115 mile single-track section on this route.

There are a few options:
- add more slack to timetables and alienate customers in the process
- take measures to enforce regimental punctuality, e.g. pay-related incentives for staff to ensure punctuality, as seen on the continent (our unions would love that)
- start double tracking strategic sections along the route

The Green Party seem all too enthusiastic to raise the angry torch-bearing mob whenever anyone advocates road transport. Maybe they need to put their money where their mouth is and start throwing more money at our rail infrastructure.
We've got the carriages, but we're still struggling to cover Dublin-Sligo in 3 hours. The journey needs to be cut to a RELIABLE 2:30 or less to seriously compete with road.

Large-scale rail infrastructure investment would also open up opportunities to re-introduce subsidised rail freight... surely this will be economically viable in the context of the EU carbon emissions clampdown.
I wonder what the emissions benefits are of a loco + 12 containers over 130 miles versus 12 lorries?

If we decide this investment cannot be justified, due to lack of population density, political will, whatever - I'd advocate doubling the line as far as Mullingar, closing the line from Mullingar to Sligo and developing motorway / high quality dual-carriageway for the entire Dublin-Sligo route.