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Unread 14-01-2012, 19:04   #44
Inniskeen
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Ralph View Post
Cork to Mallow already happens in 23 minutes without any real intervention, and Mallow to Limerick Junction is generally not much over the half-hour as long as it doesn't stop in Charleville. I suspect the timetables may be padded.

The main issue with Dublin to Cork in anything less than 2h35m is platform capacity at Cork.
Are there not two platforms in Cork serving the mainline ?

If the existing Dublin and Cork departure times were maintained and the journey time reduced to 2hrs-20 minutes there would never be more than two Dublin services in Cork station at any one time and then only for ten minutes every hour. Arranging the schedule so that trains in either direction meet at Limerick Junction and Mallow affords maximum advantage in terms of connections although the downside of passengers having to transfer to connecting trains via footbridge, lift or subway mightn't be universally welcomed.

An alternative approach in the event of a journey time reduction between Dublin and Cork to 2hrs-20 min would be to run the existing service pattern with six rather than seven sets with consequent crew and equipment savings.
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