Rail Users Ireland Forum - View Single Post

dermo88 · 12-04-2008, 06:01

Much as I liked the Mark 2d fleet with 071 locomotives, their time was up, and using 2800's as a stopgap was the right thing to do, at least until the 22K's arrive(d). The only objection I have is that the 2800's are poor at getting over the hills compared to the 071's and even the 141's. Thats a personal observation, a unit with more power is required to tackle the hills. Thats why the slack in the timetable is there.

Even as early as McKinsey 1 back in 1971, this line was identified as having low levels of demand, except back then their proposal was to truncate the line at Arklow (then) the terminal point of the outer commuter train, and there were 14,000 users per annum beyond Gorey at that time....Fast forward 30 or more years, and there is some effort being made, but its a token effort. Bus Eireann have the bulk of the market share on the line now. and the confidence of the users. There are too many bad memories of dodgy Baby GM's, delays and overcrowding on it, which takes a generation to overcome. BUT, it has been reliable (overall) since 1997), apart from the relay and upgrade project which lasted a year. BUT - They will turn around at some future point and say.

"well we did put on additional services in 2007-2008 etc....and they were not used, so...."

More than likely this will happen if a recession hits, and both potential governing coalitions can do it for they tend to be more cautious with the national pursestrings in harder times (excepting Greystones DART aside), and they normally look at CIE's costs the moment they get in. A recession of any kind usually triggers this response. Mc Kinsey 2 (1980) stated that the decision to retain the railway would be politically based. Overall, however, Iarnrod Eireann, taking inflation into account is a much more efficient organisation than it was at that time.

12-04-2008, 06:01	#24
dermo88 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 136	Much as I liked the Mark 2d fleet with 071 locomotives, their time was up, and using 2800's as a stopgap was the right thing to do, at least until the 22K's arrive(d). The only objection I have is that the 2800's are poor at getting over the hills compared to the 071's and even the 141's. Thats a personal observation, a unit with more power is required to tackle the hills. Thats why the slack in the timetable is there. Even as early as McKinsey 1 back in 1971, this line was identified as having low levels of demand, except back then their proposal was to truncate the line at Arklow (then) the terminal point of the outer commuter train, and there were 14,000 users per annum beyond Gorey at that time....Fast forward 30 or more years, and there is some effort being made, but its a token effort. Bus Eireann have the bulk of the market share on the line now. and the confidence of the users. There are too many bad memories of dodgy Baby GM's, delays and overcrowding on it, which takes a generation to overcome. BUT, it has been reliable (overall) since 1997), apart from the relay and upgrade project which lasted a year. BUT - They will turn around at some future point and say. "well we did put on additional services in 2007-2008 etc....and they were not used, so...." More than likely this will happen if a recession hits, and both potential governing coalitions can do it for they tend to be more cautious with the national pursestrings in harder times (excepting Greystones DART aside), and they normally look at CIE's costs the moment they get in. A recession of any kind usually triggers this response. Mc Kinsey 2 (1980) stated that the decision to retain the railway would be politically based. Overall, however, Iarnrod Eireann, taking inflation into account is a much more efficient organisation than it was at that time. Last edited by dermo88 : 12-04-2008 at 06:06.