2011 Proposed Timetable - Heuston Based Services

[Kilocharlie]

Originally Posted by kieran4003

Another issue I have a big gripe about is the lack of overtaking on the 4 track section. It is very annoying getting stuck behind local trains coming out of Dublin! I was looking at the timetable and say deferring/advancing many local trains by 5/10 mins could give great opportunities. Eg. In the evening peak defer 1715 to newbridge to 1720 and it could be overtaken by 1725 to Limerick.

The 1725 is a glaring example of a missed opportunity for an overtake. The 1525 is 13 mins faster to Kildare. But if you look at some of the consequences you can see possible reasons:

If the 1715 was delayed by 5 minutes, then it would only have a 5 min turn-around at Newbridge and any delay would eat into its 7 min turnaround in Heuston for the 1855. (Not sure if this really happens as stock can be rotated but in general the Newbridge services run to a fairly tight schedule).

If the 1725 ran at 1720, it would arrive too early at Limerick Junction and conflict with the 1855 Limerick to L'Junction.