[26-28/10/2013] Drogheda-Dublin - Bus Substitution - Engineering Works

[Colm Moore]

http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/...ravel-updates/

Enterprise Engineering Works - Bus Subsitution

Translink would like to advise passengers that there will be a Bus Substitution on all trains between Drogheda & Dublin on the following dates:

* Saturday 26 October
* Sunday 27 October
* Monday 28 October

Departures from Belfast Central & Dublin Connolly are unchanged. Passengers should expect delays of up to 35 minutes on arrival times.

[url=http://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/Contact%20Centre/ENT%20Temp%20TT%20-%2026%20to%2028%20Oct%2013.pdf]Bus Substitution Timetable

[Jamie2k9]

Line closed between Malahide and Pearse Street. Expect it's to do with CC signalling project.

Sligo and Maynooth Commuter will be the only services at Connolly over the weekend.

[Inniskeen]

Yes, it looks as if this massively delayed (and hugely expensive) project is to be partially commissioned over the October bank holiday weekend. It will provide some modest new operational flexibility, notably the ability to turn-back trains at Kilbarrack southbound, Raheny northbound or southbound, Bayside southbound and Clongriffin southbound. Probably the most useful feature will be the commissioning of a 3rd platform at Clongriffin (northbound) which will allow DARTs recess for faster traffic and thus provide some compensation for the dis-functional layout at Malahide. The next most useful feature would have been the commissioning of the 4th platform at Clongriffin but this has been dropped presumably to save money.

The main benefit of the scheme should be improved reliabilty but whether this is the case or not remains to be seen.

It would be interesting to know the additional costs incurred as a result of the the delay which to a large extent have been due to the intervention of the regulatory authorities.

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

Yes, it looks as if this massively delayed (and hugely expensive) project is to be partially commissioned over the October bank holiday weekend. It will provide some modest new operational flexibility, notably the ability to turn-back trains at Kilbarrack southbound, Raheny northbound or southbound, Bayside southbound and Clongriffin southbound. Probably the most useful feature will be the commissioning of a 3rd platform at Clongriffin (northbound) which will allow DARTs recess for faster traffic and thus provide some compensation for the dis-functional layout at Malahide. The next most useful feature would have been the commissioning of the 4th platform at Clongriffin but this has been dropped presumably to save money.

The main benefit of the scheme should be improved reliabilty but whether this is the case or not remains to be seen.

It would be interesting to know the additional costs incurred as a result of the the delay which to a large extent have been due to the intervention of the regulatory authorities.

Does this also include the ability to turn a southbound Howth branch train at Howth Junction?

[dowlingm]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

Yes, it looks as if this massively delayed (and hugely expensive) project is to be partially commissioned over the October bank holiday weekend. It will provide some modest new operational flexibility, notably the ability to turn-back trains at Kilbarrack southbound, Raheny northbound or southbound, Bayside southbound and Clongriffin southbound. Probably the most useful feature will be the commissioning of a 3rd platform at Clongriffin (northbound) which will allow DARTs recess for faster traffic and thus provide some compensation for the dis-functional layout at Malahide. The next most useful feature would have been the commissioning of the 4th platform at Clongriffin but this has been dropped presumably to save money.

The main benefit of the scheme should be improved reliabilty but whether this is the case or not remains to be seen.

It would be interesting to know the additional costs incurred as a result of the the delay which to a large extent have been due to the intervention of the regulatory authorities.

It was delayed at one stage by the burghers of Howth because the closures were deemed too close together (though I always thought IE were relieved because they weren't ready to go, or they'd have damned the torpedoes and done it)

[Inniskeen]

Yes it will be possible to turn back to Howth at Howth Junction, but only if the southbound service terminates on the northbound branch platform.

The burghers of Howth did not delay the commissioning - their objections were merely used as cover to obscure the real reason for the delay.

[Jamie2k9]

Inniskeen

Are you saying it wasn't IE who delayed the project but regulatory authorities were to blame?

Any idea what exactly was there problem?

Better late than never though and should see a reduction in the number of signalling failures and at Pearse which has had quiet a few problems over the last 2 weeks.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by Jamie2k9

Are you saying it wasn't IE who delayed the project but regulatory authorities were to blame?

As I understand it, the RSC wasn't happy with some aspect(s) of Irish Rail's work. That doesn't put the blame on the RSC.

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

Yes it will be possible to turn back to Howth at Howth Junction, but only if the southbound service terminates on the northbound branch platform.

The burghers of Howth did not delay the commissioning - their objections were merely used as cover to obscure the real reason for the delay.

Well that's a huge step forward - as it does offer the ability to finally run a shuttle.

[Inniskeen]

Just to clarify - it has been possible to terminate southbound trains from Howth on the northbound branch platform since the early 1980s - the difference under the new arrangements is that a terminating train from the Howth direction will be able to arrive in Howth Junction simultaneously with a mainline service. This is facilitated by a new southbound signal located some distance on the Howth side of the junction, near the footbridge - not sure if there is sufficient platform length behind it for an 8-car train.

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Inniskeen

Just to clarify - it has been possible to terminate southbound trains from Howth on the northbound branch platform since the early 1980s - the difference under the new arrangements is that a terminating train from the Howth direction will be able to arrive in Howth Junction simultaneously with a mainline service. This is facilitated by a new southbound signal located some distance on the Howth side of the junction, near the footbridge - not sure if there is sufficient platform length behind it for an 8-car train.

That's what I meant!