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Unread 10-07-2007, 10:25   #10
Mark Gleeson
Technical Officer
 
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
Posts: 12,669
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Well I rarely use enterprise but last three journeys, one in May, two in June.

1. Train operated by 3CK, no catering in front coaches, conductor was in full uniform and name badge. Train ran perfectly to time

2. Seat reservation cards missing and outdated ones in place, interior in need of deep clean, at least one toliet locked out of use. Ride was awful including a latteral sway which recorded as 0.93m/s^2 just short of 1G which is scary. Train guard not in full uniform and missing name badge. Train was 3 or 4 minutes late enroute

3. Seat reservation cards missing and outdated ones in place, interior in need of deep clean, seat cushion wasn't attached to the seat. Train guard not in full uniform and missing name badge. Depending on which timetable you check we where either 4 minutes late or 1 minute early.

Evidence from the ground indicates
1. Frequent use of alternative trains lacking facilities, at least on the Cork line the replacement can match the speed, catering, comfort and even provide first. Hard evidence exists for this

2. Condition of enterprise coaches substandard, interiors need a deep clean, just have a look at the window areas, exteriors are covered in filler

3. Ride is dire, senior IE people where at pains to tell us the Mk4 is better than Enterprise and we agree, the measurements agree. DeDetrich have been over and failed to produce a solution despite serious modifications.

4. It took several years to solve the parking brake issue, looks fixed now but who knows

5. Locomotive issues continue at a reduced rate but still frequently delays owing to the need to change engines.

6. Journey times are plain rubbish and thats primarly a issue for NIR as they have more speed restrictions than IE do, the record Belfast Dublin is 97 minutes held by a steam engine

7. Horror stories of being stranded, no air conditioning etc, no shortage of media coverage on this

8. Golorified commuter setvice, when it suits IE and NIR the train is downgraded to a stopping commuter service
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