Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (Platform10) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:50:22 GMT

The two are part of the one project...last I heard was that they are now pushed back to 2010!

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (gswr) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:51:55 GMT

finnyus: I think that the automation of LCs has not yet happened: a bit like the upgrade of Limerick Junction itself, which seems to be getting more and more long-fingered.

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (finnyus) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:26:28 GMT

I read in Railways Illustrated that a lot of money was spent on automating the level crossings between Limerick Junction and Clonmel, is this true? Plus, any sign of the line being re-signalled?

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (2810Gricer1) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:49:52 GMT

One signalman per cabin on Sundays would be enough. Before the ETS went on the DSE normal Sunday practice was one signalman working a 12.5 hour shift with a 1 hour meal break.
Sunday pay is flat time for most operational grades with in IE dating back to the new pay deals at the start of decade. The main problem regarding Sunday working on the branch would be that the signalmen may not have enough hours on their contracts to cover Sunday working.

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (gswr) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:22:14 GMT

Irish Rail 201: I assumed that signalmen would be paid when working on a Sunday: this means 3 at any given weekend, not 12. As for the Junction, it is open on Sundays anyhow, so no change there. As for your comment: "in every aspect of the railway if somebody gets more money the same grade on the same line try to request more money!" well, that says it all. We appear to have an organisation riddled with restrictive practices and a mentality that seeks to extract...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (irishRail201) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:16:41 GMT

Irish Rail 201: There are 3 block posts between Waterford and Lim Jcn, and Tipperary may soon be closed. So what's it with 12 signamen? 1 shift on Sunday for 2 or 3 signalmen is what you will need. Drivers routinely drive on Sundays: should be no real difference if they are driving through CLonmel as opposed to Thurles. Crossing keepers may be more of a problem, but I am getting a bit tired of the lack of a "can do" attitude on this question. For heaven's sake it is the...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (Mayner) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:03:45 GMT

gswr wrote:
Irish Rail 201: There are 3 block posts between Waterford and Lim Jcn, and Tipperary may soon be closed. So what's it with 12 signamen? 1 shift on Sunday for 2 or 3 signalmen is what you will need. Drivers routinely drive on Sundays: should be no real difference if they are driving through CLonmel as opposed to Thurles. Crossing keepers may be more of a problem, but I am getting a bit tired of the lack of a...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (gswr) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:32:29 GMT
Redstarcastles: it the current financial situation, you can forget about projects such as direct curves: the most you can hope for is that existing assets are used to their full potential, and that means catering to weekend traffic whihc at present is simply thrown away.

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (Redstarcastles) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:11:37 GMT
As I suggested before, would a direct curve at the junction with direct connections to Dublin not help? Certainly what lines from Dublin are under threat? New crossover would cost ? 2 million?

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (gswr) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:35:20 GMT
Irish Rail 201: There are 3 block posts between Waterford and Lim Jcn, and Tipperary may soon be closed. So what's it with 12 signamen? 1 shift on Sunday for 2 or 3 signalmen is what you will need. Drivers routinely drive on Sundays: should be no real difference if they are driving through CLonmel as opposed to Thurles. Crossing keepers may be more of a problem, but I am getting a bit tired of the lack of a "can do" attitude on this question. For heaven's sake it is the only...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (irishRail201) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:20:15 GMT
My recommendations would be simple and easy to implement. First off: Sunday service! Even one train! If I go down of a Friday evening, I'll need to get a lift to Waterford for the return on Sunday which is a total pain in the swiss. Then, a simple flyer for the locals tailored to their local station showing exactly where they can go using their local train station. ie. services to waterford, services to Limerick Junction and what services connect. A list of local attractions at each...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (Wilkinstown) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:11:06 GMT
The website will happily sell you a ticket from Dublin to Waterford (via Limerick Junction) at the Waterford fare, saves around €30 each way !

Despite extended periods of disruption (for relaying) my observations would suggest that there has been a steady increase in usage and that a significant, if modest, business has built up between Clonmel and Dublin. Given the absence of suitable services for students and commuters, the lack of through services between Limerick & Waterford...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (jamesnp) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:36:54 GMT
My girlfriend's from Carrick-on-Suir so I've been on this train a good bit more than I would normally have been in the past year. I love the service, I think it's great. From my experience each train would have about 20 people on it. Locals are realizing it's there, but only gradually and usually because of word of mouth. The prices are rock bottom from Carrick to Dublin, but a total rip off from Dublin to Carrick. The online prices are nothing short of a joke! (€50 EACH...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (trackie1) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:08:59 GMT
It is a pity that this line is once again under threat just like it was in the late 90's. A lot of investment in track has been put in and now almost half of the line has been relayed. Sometimes it appears that the line is closed almost every week for some period to facilitate relay work.

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (tallmanirl) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:28:23 GMT
I don't understand the preoccupation with crossings to be honest. Why can't they be regarded in the same way where a minor road joins a major road? The trains have right of way, full stop and if people are fool enough ignore this, on their own heads be it.

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (gswr) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:55:27 GMT
I presume that the 1073 "live" level crossings includes private crossings, i.e. crossings where a private lane or avenue gives access to a farm. Are ordinary farm crossings included in the total (i.e. where there are 2 gates to fields on opposite sides of the track, typically where the railway divides a farm)?

Surely the only crossing where barriers and lights protected by signals are warranted are these on public roads, even then some public roads might be so little used...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (Ardvarna) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:34:37 GMT
All joking aside one of the biggest boosts to the marketing of rail services on lines like Limerick - Waterford would come from higher speeds and shorter journey times. An increasingly frequent justification by the RSA for speed restrictions is the number of level crossings including of course farmers crossings on a particular section. The Limerick Junction to Waterford Section has its fair share.

According to recent report there are 1073 live level crossings on the system while...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (Ardvarna) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:53:30 GMT

Eerie-ish Railway News

MGH2 wrote:

From http://railwayeye.blogspot.com/ :-

Irish News: The spirit of Dr B lives on in the Emerald Isle
Telegrammed by our man at Buggleskelly

Rail chiefs in the Emerald Isle have come up with a master plan to revive the flagging fortunes of their lightly used lines, including the...

Re: Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (tallmanirl) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:24:38 GMT
I agree that the lack of a Sunday service is scandalous. Also, the DMUs are relatively recent introductions. If IE are seriously considering this at this stage for branch lines, why were the DMUs bought? Also, the fact that you can't get to Limerick before 9:15 is crazy, esp when it is so close to, but too late for working peoples' travelling times.

Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service (15.06.2009)

feeds@yuku.com (finnyus) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:27:01 GMT
http://www.irishtimes.com.../0615/1224248849959.html

Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service

IRISH RAIL is considering replacing the Waterford to Limerick Junction services with a "rail bus" - a hybrid vehicle which can run on road and rail.

The vehicle, which has double sets of wheels, is one of a number of cost-cutting...