Rosslare Europort/Dublin Connolly

[dermo88]

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.

[KSW]

Originally Posted by dermo88

Much as I liked the Mark 2d fleet with 071 locomotives, their time was up.

14,000 users per annum beyond Gorey at that time....Fast forward 30 or more years, and there is some effort being made,

There are too many bad memories of dodgy Baby GM's, delays and overcrowding on it, which takes a generation to overcome. BUT,

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

I totally agree the mk2d fleet had its time, but instead of replacing the mk2d fleet with the firstly 2700 commuter trains which were just outrageous then the 2800's,The mk3 should have been booked for the line. I remember the first time I seen a 29000 Commuter train arriving into Gorey these trains were so much up to date than the 2800 they could handle the hills and gain speed much quicker.
I think the Rosslare line is lucky getting a service its only busy in the summer months but in order to get people back the journey time needs to be looked at and with new trains, I think the media would be the best option because there are people out there that dont follow the line/railway.(Example)When I heard the new trains on Sligo I wanted to travel on them and in doing so I would travel again.
The first train from Connolly the 07:26 to Rosslare this service should be killed I dodged this service one morning because of the lenght of time on this service and the number of stops. The first service because its early it is handy but if a person seen its timetable they will jump on the bus, Which Im sure people are doing. I think a clock face pattern would be best from Connolly-Rosslare and R to Connolly. I think something like the Galway layout 07:10, 10:30, 13:10, 15:10, 17:30, 19:10. The 10:30 and 15:10 would terminate at Wexford and travel back. I think new trains/new signalling/hopefully faster journey times then different travel times.

[Thomas Ralph]

I'm sure we've gone over this but Mk3s can't operate the Rosslare line.

[Colm Donoghue]

I got a mark 3 to Arklow from Dublin after an all ireland in maybe 90 ( galway beat kk) it was in push mode too (engine at the back)