2013 Heuston & Regional Draft Timetable

[Traincustomer]

Carrick on Suir works
In my view the works at Carrick are likely to be independent of the timetable as:
1. no trains pass each other at any point between Limerick Junction and Waterford whether under the current three a day trains or under the proposed two a day service.
2. the draft timetable is subject to the approval of the National Transport Authority.

Carrick on Suir passenger facilities
In terms of facilities for intending passengers if in the future Carrick has no staff whatsoever in attendance it's unlikely the waiting room and toilets will be able to be opened and closed (unless a local arrangement can be devised).
There's nowhere sheltered on the platform so it's likely a shelter (similar to the one at Cahir) will have to be erected on the platform.

Limerick Junction - interesting situation as there are a lot of proposed train movements around that time. Would anticipate the ex Waterford train will occupy platform 2 (18.05), then the ex Limerick train occupies platform 3 (18.11). The 16.25 Heuston-Limerick will have to use the main platform (1) (18.13) but presumably if it's not exactly on time it's going to entail the 17.20 Cork-Dublin being held at a signal outside the station (or alternatively the 16.25 Dublin-Limerick itself being held at a signal). On the face of it it does however look as if there may be undue potential for knock-on delays by the very close interval between the 16.25 Heuston-Limerick and 17.20 Cork-Heuston. Perhaps the draft working timetable has a slightly greater margin between these trains than is shown in the public timetable. Possibly the reason for proposing that the 16.25 Heuston-Limerick be altered to serve the Junction (even though a Cork-bound train serves the Junction only around fifteen minutes after it) is because the 16.25 serves additional intermediate stations which are not served by the Cork-bound service and that it has been assessed that there is demand from these stations to Limerick Junction at that time of day.

[Jamie2k9]

Limerick Junction - interesting situation as there are a lot of proposed train movements around that time. Would anticipate the ex Waterford train will occupy platform 2 (18.05), then the ex Limerick train occupies platform 3 (18.11). The 16.25 Heuston-Limerick will have to use the main platform (1) (18.13) but presumably if it's not exactly on time it's going to entail the 17.20 Cork-Dublin being held at a signal outside the station (or alternatively the 16.25 Dublin-Limerick itself being held at a signal). On the face of it it does however look as if there may be undue potential for knock-on delays by the very close interval between the 16.25 Heuston-Limerick and 17.20 Cork-Heuston. Perhaps the draft working timetable has a slightly greater margin between these trains than is shown in the public timetable. Possibly the reason for proposing that the 16.25 Heuston-Limerick be altered to serve the Junction (even though a Cork-bound train serves the Junction only around fifteen minutes after it) is because the 16.25 serves additional intermediate stations which are not served by the Cork-bound service and that it has been assessed that there is demand from these stations to Limerick Junction at that time of day.

16.25 to Limerick should arrive at 18.10 and depart at 18.13. (takes 21 mins for 16.00 to Cork between both stops assume same for Limerick). If there is a delay of 5-10 mins to any service it causes a great deal of hassle as the 17.00 is due in at 18.27 so if the 17.20 is held up much then the 17.00 will be delayed and it will just be the usual story for the current 17.30 ex Cork always 10-20 minutes delayed most days at the junction.

[Traincustomer]

I think this is a very good point raised regarding the 16.25 being proposed to call at the Junction.

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I suppose cost-cutting is the name of the game on all fronts so perhaps no automation of Cregg Road LC.

[neoncircles]

Sounds like a typical irish rail arrangement.

[dowlingm]

there are non-passenger moves, such as the movement of wagons between Waterford and Limerick. Presumably those can be squeezed in?

[jacko]

only three weeks to go and still no confirmation of timetable - impossible to book a train online after the 18th January - a joke of a company!

[Inniskeen]

There is no active proposal to automate the level crossing at Carrick on Suir. There has been a degree of local agitation concerning delays at the crossing with one local politician even dragging Vradkar to witness the trauma allegedly experienced by motorists.

Expect Irish Rail to devise a solution that futher marginalises the railway to save a handful of motorists a few minutes every now and again.

Limerick/Waterford is yet another line where a lot of public money has been spent with no substantive result. The proposed timetable from mid-January is yet another step towards irrelevance. Ironically this is one of the few routes where Irish Rail could run a relevant and competitive service, but appear to have no wish to do so.

Seems only a matter of time before Waterford is reduced to a similar status to Rosslare with services to and from Dublin and a greatly dimished infrastructure.

[doherty jack]

I`d say the Cabin in Carrick will be come a gate box and who ever is on duty will open the waiting room and toliets .
If its removed as a Block Post , all turnouts will be removed ...

Considering tipp town station is being CTC upgraded , and 2 level crossings east of tipp town were recently automated in the last month...
you would they would keep Carrick open , this is a regrettable decision ....

[Inniskeen]

Just curious - what two level crossings east of Tipp have been automated ?

[Traincustomer]

Have an inkling it may be Bansha and Cappagh LCs but haven't been on the westerly part of the line for a few months.

[doherty jack]

Grange was one of them cant remember the other ..

[Kilocharlie]

Originally Posted by eoinmadden

The last train from Galway to Dublin will now be 19:15, rather than 18:05, which is a big improvement. I don't think in the history of CIE they ever ran a train that late from Galway to Dublin.

The 18:05 departure from Galway will become 18:10.

Long, long ago there used to be a 2000ish departure from Galway to Dublin via Mullingar and taking all of 5 hours! It was the mail train and had a single passenger carriage attached. It was there in 1980 and probably for some years after that.

[Inniskeen]

Originally Posted by doherty jack

Grange was one of them cant remember the other ..

Interesting, I thought there was only one automated crossing on this line (at Ballindine near Carrick on Suir) or perhaps two, if you include Newrath (shared with the Waterford/Kilkenny line).

[ACustomer]

Could there be a confusion with Grange on the main line at MP 104 or thereabouts? This used to be an AHB crossing but was converted to CCTV-monitored 4-barrier and incorporated into the Limerick Junction resignalling a couple of years ago.

[neoncircles]

Indeed Grange is on the mainline as opposed to the Waterford one.

[dowlingm]

Ballydine/Ballindine LC which I'm guessing is the one in the distance here was converted this year. According to the same issue of IRN CWR was then at 81pc of the LJ-Waterford line. Nice to see them racking up the capital spend to justify closure

[doherty jack]

on the working timetable it was under Limerick jcntn - Waterord section

[neoncircles]

It seems there is a grange on the waterford line (http://www.irishrail.ie/index.jsp?p=126&n=243)- is located at the former Grange station.

[Inniskeen]

Originally Posted by Jamie2k9

Its not a case of if anymore, its happening. IE staff confirmed it last week to me that split shift is starting.

On the draft timetable the 16.25 to Limerick is scheduled to serve Limerick J at 18.15 and a shuttle service scheduled to arrive at 18.11 and the Waterford-Limerick J service arrvies 18.05 and the 17.20 from Cork arrives at 18.17. My question is how will the 16.25 to Limerick stop there at 18.13. Will it use the main Cork Platfrom and be gone by 18.17 or a mistake in the timetable and what is the point of it serving Limerick J?

This arrangement is a little tight. Not sure why the 1625 stops - three possible reasons

• To waste time (can't make Dromkeen to cross the 1745 from Limerick)
  
• To provide a connection from Waterford to Limerick (saves 21 minutes)
  
• To provide a connection to Cork from intermediate stations served by the 1625.

Incidentally the re-casting of the Cork/Dublin schedule means that there is generally at least twenty minutes between services at the mainline platform in Limerick Junction. This minimises conflict between services but means that Cork/Limerick & Limerick/Cork connections are poor - similar waiting time as applies to Limerick/Waterford and Waterford/Limerick connections.

A further effect of recasting the Cork/Dublin service is that most Limerick Junction/Limerick trains are delayed about 8 minutes at Dromkeen to cross a Limerick/Limerick Junction service.

[dowlingm]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

Incidentally the re-casting of the Cork/Dublin schedule means that there is generally at least twenty minutes between services at the mainline platform in Limerick Junction. This minimises conflict between services but means that Cork/Limerick & Limerick/Cork connections are poor - similar waiting time as applies to Limerick/Waterford and Waterford/Limerick connections.

A further effect of recasting the Cork/Dublin service is that most Limerick Junction/Limerick trains are delayed about 8 minutes at Dromkeen to cross a Limerick/Limerick Junction service.

What? You expect IE to update more than one service at a time?