Rail Users Ireland Proposals

[Thomas J Stamp]

Our own proposals, which have been submitted to the parties, are here

http://www.railusers.ie/news/news.ph...2016&no=1.html

As an organisation we have submitted them to the parties, knowing the difference between a manifesto and a programme for government.

We are at the early stages of formulating a structure for greater lobbying of the political parties for which we will be needing member participation.

[James Shields]

Overall that's very good, but there seem to be some character encoding errors with "system’s" and "An Garda SÃ*ochána". Perhaps these could be fixed?

Also, I would like to see a stronger statement on DART Underground and some mention of Metro North, particularly that both projects are "shovel ready" and would bring a massive boost to the economy of the city during construction, and promote growth and development when completed. Also that borrowing is readily available now, which wasn't the case when the projects were shelved.

I know people here have reservations, particularly about Metro North, but both projects could be started now and would massively improve the city's infrastructure, and any alternative would likely delay the start of construction by at least 5 years.

James

[berneyarms]

I'm not really sure about the Phoenix Park Tunnel issue.

What has been stated is that there will be an hourly off-peak train and two trains per hour at peak times. What's yet to become clear is where these trains will start from on the Kildare line.

My understanding is that additional funding has been agreed with the NTA to push the remaining Mark 4 sets back into use to facilitate rolling stock for the service, in the same way as they are increasing funding to facilitate the 10 minute DART service. There is plenty of time to do this yet.

In terms of timetable consultation, I'm not really sure where you're coming from on this?

A further new Connolly timetable will be needed (after the one currently being consulted upon) when this is to be launched, as the city centre resignalling will have be completed, and a new Heuston timetable will also be needed.

There will have to be another full consultation at that time on those timetables.

[Mark Gleeson]

For something so significant there hasn't been a peep about what the plan actually is

There are no trains to run the service, and it will take quite a while to overhaul the 2700 fleet not to mention the cash to do so. It is entering the danger zone where some excuse will appear and it will be postponed again (just like it was in 1995)

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

For something so significant there hasn't been a peep about what the plan actually is

There are no trains to run the service, and it will take quite a while to overhaul the 2700 fleet not to mention the cash to do so. It is entering the danger zone where some excuse will appear and it will be postponed again (just like it was in 1995)

Not true - bear in mind that there are two sets out for the AWS project (a 22k and a 29k) which should be back in general use by then, and bringing the remaining Mark 4 sets back into service will release sets as well.

My understanding is that the NTA are funding that as part of the project.

[Mark Gleeson]

The 22k test set is in service, its 22001/22002, fixed coupled with the CAWS/ATP hybrid cabs in the middle

The 29k set may be the one with the floor ripped up in one coach to investigate the fleet wide issue

To run Kildare - Grand Canal Dock will need 4 sets at least, so that 4 4 coach sets, no way the existing fleet can stretch to meet this

Internally Irish Rail is fishing for funds for 10-20 of the 2700's

Bear in mind the lead time is significant even if the cash arrived today to get the raw materials and parts. The 2700's need a full overhaul, new wheelsets and probably new radio units for GSMR. 2700 units would go to Limerick, 2800 back to Dublin.

[Jamie2k9]

My understanding is that additional funding has been agreed with the NTA to push the remaining Mark 4 sets back into use to facilitate rolling stock for the service

Not going to happen unless Mark 4 move to other routes, you will not see one on the 05.50 or 06.15 service for a range of reasons including time, demand and requirement of additional service. 07.00 ex Tralee is the only other reliable option for them but give it operates conferrable with a 5 coach commercially running a Mark IV may not add up.

Money shouldn't really be an issue for them as they have done very little work in 10 years.

What has been stated is that there will be an hourly off-peak train and two trains per hour at peak times. What's yet to become clear is where these trains will start from on the Kildare line.

Kildare

Not true - bear in mind that there are two sets out for the AWS project (a 22k and a 29k) which should be back in general use by then, and bringing the remaining Mark 4 sets back into service will release sets as well.

My understanding is that the NTA are funding that as part of the project.

The AWS 22 set is in full service but cannot be split as both are joined with cabs equipped for AWS. I would imagine the same applies to the 2900?

There is some questionable loads on one or two existing commuter services into Heuston in the mornings. Getting some commuter off Galway/Waterford could free up sets as well.

[James Shields]

I see "An Garda Siochana" has been fixed, but still "system’s".

James

[ThomasJ]

Joan Burton at coolmine station this morning . if I hadve known, I would have taken the train and stop to ask questions

Eamon coughlan and Joe Higgins all canvasing at coolmine station on behalf of candidates.

[James Shields]

There probably should be a more in-depth discussion of the PPT on a dedicated thread.

Has any consideration been given to new stations on the PPT route? It seems almost criminal that there isn't already a station at Phibsboro, an area with a lot of business and residential that's currently rather poorly served by public transport. The gap between Drumcondra and Broombridge stations is over 3km, and it seems bizarre that Phobsboro has so many rail lines running through it, but is so cut off from using them.

When the PPT opens, there would seem to be a lot of potential for a station around Black Horse Ave or Old Cabra Road. Again this is a large residential area, and while it's reasonably served by buses, a railway station would open up a lot of options for connecting trips on the Maynooth line, the DART, and even to Heuston services.

Apart from funding, is there anything preventing new stations from happening?

[Thomas J Stamp]

Originally Posted by James Shields

There probably should be a more in-depth discussion of the PPT on a dedicated thread.

Has any consideration been given to new stations on the PPT route? It seems almost criminal that there isn't already a station at Phibsboro, an area with a lot of business and residential that's currently rather poorly served by public transport. The gap between Drumcondra and Broombridge stations is over 3km, and it seems bizarre that Phobsboro has so many rail lines running through it, but is so cut off from using them.

When the PPT opens, there would seem to be a lot of potential for a station around Black Horse Ave or Old Cabra Road. Again this is a large residential area, and while it's reasonably served by buses, a railway station would open up a lot of options for connecting trips on the Maynooth line, the DART, and even to Heuston services.

Apart from funding, is there anything preventing new stations from happening?

we've had a litany of PPT threads down the years, I'd prefer the discussion to be here so it's in the context of the election proposals and the review of the RUI Policy Document which has started in the past few weeks (in fact the Committee are reviewing the whole organisation but these things take a lot of time)

Oddly enough we have been in communication with someone about the possibility of Glasnevin Station being re-opened recently. My own view on things in general is that money is the only thing which matters - for example, you could CPO a big stretch of the Belfast line from Clontarf to Howth Junction and 4-track it if there was the money. There isn't.

You need political will. Therein lies a problem, one minister memorably told a friend and myself that he didn't give a toss about 20 years down the line, he had an election in 5.

[Thomas J Stamp]

Originally Posted by James Shields

I see "An Garda Siochana" has been fixed, but still "system’s".

James

it's not a coding error, it's my spelling