Kildare Line Problems

Kildare Commuter · 14-02-2006, 08:51

Just a note to record the degradation in Kildare line services over recent months.

1st: While I welcomed the introduction of the 0515 service from Athlone, stopping in most of the Kildare line stops, the fact that it is normally freezing does not help. I think that the Cravens really show up this useful service. I took this train on the 1st Feb and I think it was colder on the train than outside, this despite the helpful ticket inspector telling passengers it was warmer closer to the Gen Van.

This morning, lights/heating were not working on most of the train and it was held in Kildare. The 29000 0645 service halted at the DOWN platform and the Portlaoise crossed in the middle road. The 0515 was held in Kildare until 0645 when it worked non-stop to Heuston.

Yesterday, 13th Feb, the 0645 29000 failed on the Curragh, leaving the passengers waiting for the earlybird from Waterford. Also, on Thursday last, the 0645 29000 failed at Newbridge, causing delays and requiring passengers transfer to the 0645 from Carlow.

Mark Gleeson · 14-02-2006, 09:26

In over 2 years of service I've never seen or heard of a 29000 sitting down while in service, the Kildare line is easy going compared to the Drogheda or Maynooth lines. Even with 2 engines out a 29000 is still a fairly nippy machine and such is not a reason to declare a failure. The only major failure was one engine which let go and showered the East Meath countryside in hot metal about 2 years ago, but the train was able to get to the next station and indeed got home to base without need to resort to a tow or spanners.

Something fishy is going on as this is non standard behaviour

The cravens coaches are rarely at fault its the generator van that lets the show down. The good news is all the cravens coaches will be withdrawn by 28th February, 7 where withdrawn yesterday from Connolly, Cork withdrew 8 over Christmas, Limerick withdrew her batch in 2005. The 17:10 to Athlone and 5:15 Athlone Dublin will move to MK2d operation in the next few days (yes air conditioned), the set allocated for Athlone was meant to head to Heuston yesterday morning but is currently running Dublin Belfast for a few days after a enterprise set was badly damaged

We need this kind of information as IE play dumb about this when challenged, the level of cancellations and breakdowns onthe Kildare route is unacceptably high

Kildare Commuter · 15-02-2006, 13:08

I think the 0515 was worked by a Mk 2 set this morning.

submarine · 17-02-2006, 19:54

The Craven coaches are one of the best vehicles ever perchased by IE. They have given excellent service for over forty years and not a sign of rust anywhere. Some of the steam pipes may leak but very little work would leave them in good order. IE should have spent a few bob on new generator vans or fixing the gear in the old ones!

Navan Junction · 17-02-2006, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by submarine

The Craven coaches are one of the best vehicles ever perchased by IE.

What routes are they still operational on?

Mark Gleeson · 17-02-2006, 20:18

This is the point the coaches are actually quite acceptable for a medium distance journey. They are let down by the heating and lighting which is not a design issue with the coaches

When the heating works and the lighting is working and steam isn't pouring out the side they are fine but they have to go this is the 21st century that kind of image is not acceptable, these coaches where hauled by steam engines in revenue earning servce in the 1960's

They are 43 years old, they fail to meet modern safety standards and are Victorian looking in some respects. Good riddance

As of today Ballina Manaulla Junc, Ballina Dublin (Friday/Sunday), 17:10 Dublin Athlone (Fridays only)

kilman · 23-02-2006, 16:27

17:10 to Athlone is cravens every day not just fridays

14-02-2006, 08:51	#1
Kildare Commuter New to the board Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 29	Kildare Line Problems Just a note to record the degradation in Kildare line services over recent months. 1st: While I welcomed the introduction of the 0515 service from Athlone, stopping in most of the Kildare line stops, the fact that it is normally freezing does not help. I think that the Cravens really show up this useful service. I took this train on the 1st Feb and I think it was colder on the train than outside, this despite the helpful ticket inspector telling passengers it was warmer closer to the Gen Van. This morning, lights/heating were not working on most of the train and it was held in Kildare. The 29000 0645 service halted at the DOWN platform and the Portlaoise crossed in the middle road. The 0515 was held in Kildare until 0645 when it worked non-stop to Heuston. Yesterday, 13th Feb, the 0645 29000 failed on the Curragh, leaving the passengers waiting for the earlybird from Waterford. Also, on Thursday last, the 0645 29000 failed at Newbridge, causing delays and requiring passengers transfer to the 0645 from Carlow.

14-02-2006, 09:26	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	In over 2 years of service I've never seen or heard of a 29000 sitting down while in service, the Kildare line is easy going compared to the Drogheda or Maynooth lines. Even with 2 engines out a 29000 is still a fairly nippy machine and such is not a reason to declare a failure. The only major failure was one engine which let go and showered the East Meath countryside in hot metal about 2 years ago, but the train was able to get to the next station and indeed got home to base without need to resort to a tow or spanners. Something fishy is going on as this is non standard behaviour The cravens coaches are rarely at fault its the generator van that lets the show down. The good news is all the cravens coaches will be withdrawn by 28th February, 7 where withdrawn yesterday from Connolly, Cork withdrew 8 over Christmas, Limerick withdrew her batch in 2005. The 17:10 to Athlone and 5:15 Athlone Dublin will move to MK2d operation in the next few days (yes air conditioned), the set allocated for Athlone was meant to head to Heuston yesterday morning but is currently running Dublin Belfast for a few days after a enterprise set was badly damaged We need this kind of information as IE play dumb about this when challenged, the level of cancellations and breakdowns onthe Kildare route is unacceptably high Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 14-02-2006 at 10:55.

17-02-2006, 19:54	#4
submarine New to the board Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Posts: 7	Kildare Line Problems The Craven coaches are one of the best vehicles ever perchased by IE. They have given excellent service for over forty years and not a sign of rust anywhere. Some of the steam pipes may leak but very little work would leave them in good order. IE should have spent a few bob on new generator vans or fixing the gear in the old ones!

17-02-2006, 20:18	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	This is the point the coaches are actually quite acceptable for a medium distance journey. They are let down by the heating and lighting which is not a design issue with the coaches When the heating works and the lighting is working and steam isn't pouring out the side they are fine but they have to go this is the 21st century that kind of image is not acceptable, these coaches where hauled by steam engines in revenue earning servce in the 1960's They are 43 years old, they fail to meet modern safety standards and are Victorian looking in some respects. Good riddance As of today Ballina Manaulla Junc, Ballina Dublin (Friday/Sunday), 17:10 Dublin Athlone (Fridays only) Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 17-02-2006 at 20:20.

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15-02-2006, 13:08	#3
Kildare Commuter New to the board Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 29	I think the 0515 was worked by a Mk 2 set this morning.

23-02-2006, 16:27	#7
kilman Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 42	17:10 to Athlone is cravens every day not just fridays