Why doesn't the Sligo train use platform 7 in Connolly station.

Fergal · 01-03-2011, 16:53

I note in the timetable that it takes quite a long time (40 minutes!) for the Sligo train to get the short distance from Maynooth to Dublin. It also blocks every other movement coming from Drumcondra direction to the trainshed.

Surely there is a good possibility of speeding this up by at least 10 minutes if platform 7 was dedicated to Sligo/Longford trains heading out the lesser used line along the canal. There are even sidings just north of platform 7 to store trains without getting in the way of any other movements.

Platforms 5 and 6 would then become the DART/Suburban platforms.

Disadvantage:
Lose the cross-platform interchange at Connolly.

Advantages:
Improved Dublin - Sligo running times by making better use of the existing infrastructure.
Sligo train no longer has to cross any other train paths coming into Connolly.
No money required to do it.
Allows the Sligo train to pass out suburban trains leaving Connolly at the same time, by using a faster route.

Thomas Ralph · 01-03-2011, 17:22

Additional disadvantages:
P7 sidings are only large enough for a 3-car 22K or 4-car 29K; the usual 6-car 22Ks won't fit.
Using the Newcomen curve means services can't call at Drumcondra
A very valuable through platform is blocked, causing big issues if a Rosslare service is boarding passengers on P5, or a train breaks down in platform, etc.; as-is you just route DARTs to the available platforms
P5 has a very nasty gap

Mark Gleeson · 01-03-2011, 18:45

Any advantage gained is nullified by the fact it is impossible to get from the maintenance shed without crossing in-front of everything

Platforms 1-5 can be accessed without interfering with to DART services

It is an awkward to get to platform 7 and is poor from an accessibility point of view

Obviously if you run some Rosslare services onwards to Sligo you would use platform 7

comcor · 01-03-2011, 18:59

Is there any reason not to run trains as Sligo-Wexford or Sligo-Rosslare.

I realise driver's hours may be a problem, but you could always switch drivers in Connolly.

A great pro would be that you don't occupy a platform in Connolly with a train waiting for ages to depart,

There would also be a benefit to a small number of passengers who want to travel from destinations on the Sligo line to South Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford or vice versa.

Mark Gleeson · 01-03-2011, 20:14

There is a reliability issue with through running plus the Sligo line needs 6 coach trains while Rosslare doesn't. So it ain't easy

The trains have to be cleaned and fueled sometime as well

comcor · 02-03-2011, 10:52

And there's only a limited set of locations with fuelling facilities?

Where are these? Presumably Inchicore, Port Laoise, Drogheda and Cork or is the list broader than that.

01-03-2011, 16:53	#1
Fergal Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21	Why doesn't the Sligo train use platform 7 in Connolly station. I note in the timetable that it takes quite a long time (40 minutes!) for the Sligo train to get the short distance from Maynooth to Dublin. It also blocks every other movement coming from Drumcondra direction to the trainshed. Surely there is a good possibility of speeding this up by at least 10 minutes if platform 7 was dedicated to Sligo/Longford trains heading out the lesser used line along the canal. There are even sidings just north of platform 7 to store trains without getting in the way of any other movements. Platforms 5 and 6 would then become the DART/Suburban platforms. Disadvantage: Lose the cross-platform interchange at Connolly. Advantages: Improved Dublin - Sligo running times by making better use of the existing infrastructure. Sligo train no longer has to cross any other train paths coming into Connolly. No money required to do it. Allows the Sligo train to pass out suburban trains leaving Connolly at the same time, by using a faster route.

01-03-2011, 18:45	#3
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Any advantage gained is nullified by the fact it is impossible to get from the maintenance shed without crossing in-front of everything Platforms 1-5 can be accessed without interfering with to DART services It is an awkward to get to platform 7 and is poor from an accessibility point of view Obviously if you run some Rosslare services onwards to Sligo you would use platform 7 __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

01-03-2011, 20:14	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	There is a reliability issue with through running plus the Sligo line needs 6 coach trains while Rosslare doesn't. So it ain't easy The trains have to be cleaned and fueled sometime as well __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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01-03-2011, 17:22	#2
Thomas Ralph IT Officer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greenwich, London Posts: 1,860	Additional disadvantages: P7 sidings are only large enough for a 3-car 22K or 4-car 29K; the usual 6-car 22Ks won't fit. Using the Newcomen curve means services can't call at Drumcondra A very valuable through platform is blocked, causing big issues if a Rosslare service is boarding passengers on P5, or a train breaks down in platform, etc.; as-is you just route DARTs to the available platforms P5 has a very nasty gap

01-03-2011, 18:59	#4
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	Is there any reason not to run trains as Sligo-Wexford or Sligo-Rosslare. I realise driver's hours may be a problem, but you could always switch drivers in Connolly. A great pro would be that you don't occupy a platform in Connolly with a train waiting for ages to depart, There would also be a benefit to a small number of passengers who want to travel from destinations on the Sligo line to South Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford or vice versa.

02-03-2011, 10:52	#6
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	And there's only a limited set of locations with fuelling facilities? Where are these? Presumably Inchicore, Port Laoise, Drogheda and Cork or is the list broader than that.