Sail & Rail

Eddie · 29-03-2011, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavanrailbus

2. An "overnight" train ex Holyhead circa 0130 is to be reintroduced in the new timetable from May 22nd. This will give a connection out of both sailings from Dublin Port viz. the 2055 hrs. Irish Ferries Ulysses (arr. 0020) and 2115 hrs. Stena Line Stena Adventurer (arr 0030) so no longer will there be a need for a prolonged wait for the first train at 0425.

Where did you hear this? I've plugged the time and date on www.thetrainline.com and nothing new is coming up yet for after 22 May.

Traincustomer · 30-03-2011, 08:06

I was told it in good faith and legitimately as a result of representations I've made on the SailRail issue since 2009. I do not wish to go posting details of Manager X in Company Z type of stuff here other than to say I'm just a humble user and not party to any inner workings but wouldn't have been told this in the correspondence I received if it wasn't true and going to happen.
Timetable should be out in next few weeks which will give exact details.
Hope this reply doesn't come across as being short as it's not intended to be

Thomas Ralph · 30-03-2011, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

Where did you hear this? I've plugged the time and date on www.thetrainline.com and nothing new is coming up yet for after 22 May.

I recommend not using that website as it charges more than booking through any train operating company's site.

Having said that, www.nationalrail.co.uk isn't finding it either. It may not have been loaded into the system yet.

Mark Gleeson · 30-03-2011, 08:38

The UK system normally loads 8-12 weeks out so if its not there now its likely not going to be there. If it is, it assumes there is a connection somewhere to get you to Crewe

I would ask all posters not to post timetable information like this until there is positive proof of the exact timings and running dates, this is of even greater significance with international journeys

ThomasJ · 30-03-2011, 10:17

Seen as though we were talking about this earlier, I saw these faqs on the arriva sailrail website
http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/SailRail/FAQs/

Quote:

Which routes can I travel on?
Available for standard class travel from any station in the UK to and from Dublin via Holyhead.
Available for standard class travel from any station in the UK to and from Rosslare via Fishguard.
Available on all rail operators’ services.
Please note: if you would like to travel from the UK to Belfast via Stranraer, please visit First ScotRail’s website for further information.

Quote:

Which Irish stations can I travel to?
SailRail tickets are available to most stations in Ireland.
Please note: for online sales, you can only purchase tickets to the following Irish Stations: Dublin Connolly, Dublin Ferry Port, Dublin Port Stena, Dun Laoghaire, Rosslare, Cork and Limerick. Other Irish stations will be available on the online booking system from May 2011.
If you wish to purchase SailRail tickets to other stations not listed above, please visit your nearest railway station.

Traincustomer · 30-03-2011, 14:24

While I posted it in good faith and with a helpful intent, I have nonetheless removed a section of my original post.

Thomas Ralph · 30-03-2011, 18:51

Just to confirm that a ticket from Cardiff Bay to Dundalk can be routed HOLYHD STENA CIV, HLYHD IRISHF CIV, or HLYHD SWIFT CIV.

However, if you pick a different journey like London Terminals to Rosslare Harbour, you're offered FSHGRD STENA CIV instead.

Traincustomer · 30-03-2011, 19:23

Gentlemen (and ladies), the online booking facility is now available on the Irish Ferries website. It must have been uploaded yesterday or today as have been keeping a regular watch for it and it wasn't there last time.

Two very pleasing points are that (1). WRC stations and Midleton are included and (2). it allows you to book extras viz. Club Class and or a bicycle.

All Éire stations appear to be in the list though not Dublin Suburban ones which traditionally have not been available for SailRail bookings (so the likes of Dunboyne would require one to purchase a separate ticket to town/ Dún Laoghaire).*

With doom and gloom all around it's good to see this "can do" approach. Compliments due in my view to Irish Ferries for bringing this to fruition.

(* Footnote - am talking in general in paragraph 3. If booking online with Irish Ferries one would have to buy a ticket/use a pass/Smartcard from given suburban station to town. In the case of Dún Laoghaire the same but only Stena sail from there (HSS once daily at 1315 from 1st April) and no online booking.)

I thought the Stena Express would do the initial sailings but the website confirms it's the HSS (Stena Explorer).

Eddie · 12-05-2011, 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Ralph

I recommend not using that website as it charges more than booking through any train operating company's site.

Yes, you're right, I hadn't realised you could avoid the booking fees and credit card charges imposed by thetrainline.com by booking with the individual train operating companies.

I've just booked through London Midland for an internal UK journey and no booking fees / card charges applied.

Mark Gleeson · 03-06-2011, 13:46

Arriva Train Wales has just confirmed that it will offer tickets via Rosslare to Irish destinations once the timetable change on the Dublin Rosslare line has been confirmed

This resolves a long standing issue

Thanks to Rail Users Ireland opposite numbers in the UK, Railfuture who made some inquiries for us in a matter of hours and got a straight answer

Colm Moore · 03-06-2011, 21:05

Ther eis a suggestion that Fishgaurd may get 8 trains per day.

Traincustomer · 24-07-2011, 13:54

That's right, Colm and is definite - five additional weekday trains in each direction from Mid-September. The draft timetable was indicative that some would run through to Cardiff etc..., making them infinitely more attractive than a mere Fishguard to Carmarthen shuttle.

And things are looking promising for a reopening of the erstwhile station at Fishguard & Goodwick - (around a mile up the line from Fishguard Harbour station and better located for local users).

While recognising that these additional services are primarily aimed at the local population (ferry passengers already have a daytime and night-time connecting train in both directions seven days a week), from an Irish perspective they do allow one to stop off a few hours in North Pembrokeshire. If the Stena Express is still operational on the route next Summer it will likely have a connecting train both to and from the ferry.

More info here: http://fishguardtrains.info/

Eddie · 24-07-2011, 22:47

I've just completed a return through Fishguard, and it was amazing to see how close the station is to ship there, and that the current 2 trains a day actually coincide fully with the ship's arrivals and departures.

Meawhile at Rosslare a greater number of departures actually only connect with the evening departure and early morning arrival of the ships, and the new timetable will only improve these connections, but not create any others.

And then you have the irony that CIE actualy run Rosslare Harbour, as signified by the very outdated orange CIE symbol everywhere yet abandon the old connecting station leaving a complete eyesore, and have a 5.55pm departure that leaves just before the Stena boat gets in. Surely this state asset would be far better in private hands.

30-03-2011, 08:38	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The UK system normally loads 8-12 weeks out so if its not there now its likely not going to be there. If it is, it assumes there is a connection somewhere to get you to Crewe I would ask all posters not to post timetable information like this until there is positive proof of the exact timings and running dates, this is of even greater significance with international journeys __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

30-03-2011, 19:23	#8
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 600	Irish Ferries SailRail booking facility now online (including provincial stations): Gentlemen (and ladies), the online booking facility is now available on the Irish Ferries website. It must have been uploaded yesterday or today as have been keeping a regular watch for it and it wasn't there last time. Two very pleasing points are that (1). WRC stations and Midleton are included and (2). it allows you to book extras viz. Club Class and or a bicycle. All Éire stations appear to be in the list though not Dublin Suburban ones which traditionally have not been available for SailRail bookings (so the likes of Dunboyne would require one to purchase a separate ticket to town/ Dún Laoghaire).* With doom and gloom all around it's good to see this "can do" approach. Compliments due in my view to Irish Ferries for bringing this to fruition. (* Footnote - am talking in general in paragraph 3. If booking online with Irish Ferries one would have to buy a ticket/use a pass/Smartcard from given suburban station to town. In the case of Dún Laoghaire the same but only Stena sail from there (HSS once daily at 1315 from 1st April) and no online booking.) I thought the Stena Express would do the initial sailings but the website confirms it's the HSS (Stena Explorer). Last edited by Traincustomer : 30-03-2011 at 19:53. Reason: clarification note

03-06-2011, 13:46	#10
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Arriva Train Wales has just confirmed that it will offer tickets via Rosslare to Irish destinations once the timetable change on the Dublin Rosslare line has been confirmed This resolves a long standing issue Thanks to Rail Users Ireland opposite numbers in the UK, Railfuture who made some inquiries for us in a matter of hours and got a straight answer __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 03-06-2011 at 14:01.

03-06-2011, 21:05	#11
Colm Moore Local Liaison Officer Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,442	Ther eis a suggestion that Fishgaurd may get 8 trains per day. __________________

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30-03-2011, 08:06	#2
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 600	I was told it in good faith and legitimately as a result of representations I've made on the SailRail issue since 2009. I do not wish to go posting details of Manager X in Company Z type of stuff here other than to say I'm just a humble user and not party to any inner workings but wouldn't have been told this in the correspondence I received if it wasn't true and going to happen. Timetable should be out in next few weeks which will give exact details. Hope this reply doesn't come across as being short as it's not intended to be

30-03-2011, 14:24	#6
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 600	While I posted it in good faith and with a helpful intent, I have nonetheless removed a section of my original post.

30-03-2011, 18:51	#7
Thomas Ralph IT Officer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greenwich, London Posts: 1,860	Just to confirm that a ticket from Cardiff Bay to Dundalk can be routed HOLYHD STENA CIV, HLYHD IRISHF CIV, or HLYHD SWIFT CIV. However, if you pick a different journey like London Terminals to Rosslare Harbour, you're offered FSHGRD STENA CIV instead.

24-07-2011, 13:54	#12
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 600	That's right, Colm and is definite - five additional weekday trains in each direction from Mid-September. The draft timetable was indicative that some would run through to Cardiff etc..., making them infinitely more attractive than a mere Fishguard to Carmarthen shuttle. And things are looking promising for a reopening of the erstwhile station at Fishguard & Goodwick - (around a mile up the line from Fishguard Harbour station and better located for local users). While recognising that these additional services are primarily aimed at the local population (ferry passengers already have a daytime and night-time connecting train in both directions seven days a week), from an Irish perspective they do allow one to stop off a few hours in North Pembrokeshire. If the Stena Express is still operational on the route next Summer it will likely have a connecting train both to and from the ferry. More info here: http://fishguardtrains.info/

24-07-2011, 22:47	#13
Eddie Really Regular Poster Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 258	I've just completed a return through Fishguard, and it was amazing to see how close the station is to ship there, and that the current 2 trains a day actually coincide fully with the ship's arrivals and departures. Meawhile at Rosslare a greater number of departures actually only connect with the evening departure and early morning arrival of the ships, and the new timetable will only improve these connections, but not create any others. And then you have the irony that CIE actualy run Rosslare Harbour, as signified by the very outdated orange CIE symbol everywhere yet abandon the old connecting station leaving a complete eyesore, and have a 5.55pm departure that leaves just before the Stena boat gets in. Surely this state asset would be far better in private hands.