[Thomas J Stamp]

we have done the enterprise situation to death over the years, the problems all remain, and no matter what sensible solution you come up with there will always be some red herring - capacity at connolly being such a long standing one - to be flung in your direction.

We have been at meetings with IBEC, with their NI equivilant, the NI Partnership and the two rail operators. The only things on the horizon were, and still are:

1. Reliability. This was suppsoed to be fixed by solving the failing engines. It appears this solution, introduced at christmas, is failing.

2. Frequency. This is the proposed hourly schedule. It was to rely on the deployment of Mark3 stock, currently mothballed for that purpose and awaiting total refurbishment. They dont have the money for it though.

By the time they do, it will be almost 30 years since the current enterprise stock was commissioned. It will also, by coincidence, be almost time for the mark4 Cork stock to get a major makeover. Its getting fairly tatty as it is. Perhaps a tender for a common stock for both lines, capable of 125 operation, will be in order. It will mean that for intercity purposes IE will only have two types of stock, 22K and this stuff. they could make some money flogging that stock off, maybe.

As for track replacement ect, it may happen then, hell you may get it electrified. Dont hold your breath but its fair to say that the operators both know that they only have one chance to get this right, but they cannot leave it too long.

Of course there is no train in before 9am in either direction. Thats where the red herring comes in, causing wheelslip I'd imagine.