Evening Gents,
Well i spent another pleasent 5 days touring Ireland commencing on a Dublin to Westport service on the 11th August. The train was the 1240hrs and at 1200hrs people were already queing! The train was a 2 x 22000, and a walk along the train found the front coach fairly quiet. I was impressed with these new units, loads of tables and seats that line up with the windows (Why can't Britain have new trains like this?) Only complaint was seat was a little hard. The service left 5 mins late for no apparent reason, but we got to Westport on time. The train was full by the time it got to Roscommon.
Following evening went from Westport to Ballina, I was the only passenger on the service from Manulla Jctn, nice touch was the driver greeting me and carrying my case! Can anyone tell me if the line beyond Ballina Station is used?
On the Wednesday caught a bus to Sligo then the 1500hrs to Dublin, once again a class 22000, 2 x 3 car, again well used and on time. What suprised me was how long it takes to get from Maynooth to Dublin. There was chaos at Connolly as the there was flooding at Howth junction.
Thursday a 3 car 22000 to Kilkenny, with a packed train and the family from hell in my coach. (Lets shout when we talk, shout on our mobiles, play music loud etc) I was suprised the guard didn't say something. The train crawled from Adamstown to Kildare, no announcements as to why, and so we were 20 mins down at Kilkenny. Later that evening I caught a loco hauled service to Waterford, had the rear coach to myself, nice.
Friday the 0935hrs Waterford - Limerick Jctn service, now this was a backwater line, I've been on preserved lines with better track. Now my biggest gripe with Irish Rail is re this service when it gets to Limerick Junction. Several passengers boarded on route and bought tickets to Dublin, so we get off at Limmerick Junction, 10 mins later a Cork - Dublin service trundles through at 40 mph not scheduled to stop. The next train to Dublin arrives an hour after the Waterford train has arrived and half an hour after the Waterford train has departed. Why can't the Cork - Dublin service that passes through at 1130ish be scheduled to stop and connect with the Waterford train?
Whilst at Limmerick a 6 car 22000 on test came in from the south and then returned that way. Noted it had a 1st class coach, on looking through window noted it was exactley the same as the 2nd class coaches!
All staff friendly and helpful, managed to leave cases at Sligo and Kilkenny station and wasn't charged for the service.
Also nice to see several container trains, last year I didn't see a single one.
Had a great 5 days and shall be back next year .
David
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