From general observation the following has now been done. CWR has now been completed from Broughdone crossing just north of Cullybackey to mile post 44
(approximately half a mile north of Killagan). Killagan loop has new trackbed completed and loop has track installed but requires ballasting and tamping etc.
New catch points fitted on loop and also the mainline points at the north end have been renewed. Major formation work has now been completed around the
Ballymoney station area and a start has been made on track installation. New CWR also installed from Macfin to Coleraine. These are points observed during
the last 5days and just from general viewing points along the road so am sure much more progress that I haven't seen!
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Derry line
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 NIRCLASS80 |
Progress update | ||
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Posts: 12 (04/05/09 08:21:24) |
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delaysman |
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Posts: 180 (05/05/09 12:44:21) Full Member |
8452 worked the 20.07hrs from Coleraine to Derry/ Londonderry on 02.05.2009.
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 mpdfan |
fares | ||
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Posts: 150 (05/05/09 17:16:44) Full Member |
Good point and there should be some fare discount with a journey time between the 2 cities that is just under 3 hours by bus rail bus! Also the cattle class
450 are running into Derry again which which is unattractive to rail users,those who are left!
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delaysman |
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Posts: 182 (18/05/09 11:27:51) Full Member |
What an own goal Northern Ireland Railways scored on North West 200 race day on 16.05.2009.
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The oulfella |
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Posts: 125 (18/05/09 17:23:58) Full Member |
Not sure what you are getting at Delaysman. I would have thought that 100% of the available fleet in operation was pretty good.
Last Edited By: The oulfella
18/05/09 21:15:48.
Edited 1 times.
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mpdfan |
450 class | ||
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Posts: 151 (18/05/09 18:33:03) Full Member |
Considering how intoxicated some of the passengers were returning to Derry that night the use of the cattle class 450 sets was most appropiate as there was
nothing for the drunken yobs to wreck!
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bancc2 |
Test Train | ||
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Posts: 341 (23/06/09 10:42:54) Full Member |
3003 departed Ballymena at 11.30 this morning. It is understood that there is track recording equipment on board. This has been the first train north of
Ballymena since the total possession. No pw trains were run. All ballast was delivered by road.
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bancc2 |
450 Failure at Coleraine | ||
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Posts: 342 (23/06/09 19:35:59) Full Member |
450 Class set 452 has failed at Coleraine and it is expected that it will be towed tonight to York Road either by 453 or the replacement set 451 which was sent down to Coleraine this evening. On the journey down 451 suffered from overheating at Antrim and made a difficult start up the bank out of Ballymena at 20.00 hr. Last night the track recording wagon was seen leaving Ballymena being towed by a PW machine. So far there is no news of further test trains or driver training north of Ballymena this week. |
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jhb171achill |
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Posts: 523 (23/06/09 22:29:00) |
Driver TRAINING????????? Why?
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Cyberbeagle |
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Posts: 222 (23/06/09 22:50:40) Full Member |
jhb171achill wrote: The steering is different on this new section... 
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jhb171achill |
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Posts: 524 (24/06/09 21:08:35) |
Ah! I see, Cyber. I also understand that they have planted the wrong type of leaves adjacent to the line, to be harvested this autumn.
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Cyberbeagle |
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Posts: 224 (25/06/09 10:07:19) Full Member |
jhb171achill wrote:That's why they're being taught to swerve around them... (I seriously have been asked several times where the steering wheel on the train is located...) |
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bancc2 |
Verdant and Steerage Class Wit | ||
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Posts: 343 (26/06/09 08:55:15) Full Member |
Recent postings have displayed a paucity of constructive comment coupled to a verdant and steerage class of wit suggesting that the silly season is well nigh upon us. On a serious note true railway enthusiasts should be happy that a well managed railway construction project will be finished on time and within budget. Also we must remind ourselves that the railways in Northern Ireland are now carrying more passengers than were carried in 1964 when the network was much larger, the train fleet over double the size and with many more employees. I am old enough to see the improvements that have been made over the years and would not wish to go back to the days of sitting a a cold railcar (with a smell of diesel oil - there being no toilets!) on the way to Belfast on a freezing morning.
Last Edited By: bancc2
26/06/09 09:47:47.
Edited 1 times.
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bancc2 |
Empty Stock Movements | ||
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Posts: 347 (27/06/09 09:39:37) Full Member |
Martin Baumann has reported that CAF sets 3001 and 3022 were worked empty to Coleraine on Friday evening in preparation for the resumption of services on Monday 29th June. 451 was expected to work back to Belfast. A replacement 450 set to work to Coleraine on Sunday 28th.
Last Edited By: bancc2
30/06/09 00:00:27.
Edited 1 times.
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bancc2 |
Ballymena to Coleraine Reopening | ||
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Posts: 348 (29/06/09 23:29:43) Full Member |
Monday, 29 June 2009 (Press Association) The railway line between Ballymena and Coleraine was re-opened to passengers on Monday following a 13-week closure for a multi-million pound track relaying. Train speeds are being restricted throughout the summer to allow the track to settle. The work concluded the latest phase in the £12.5m Londonderry Railway Line Upgrade Project and aims to provide passengers with a more comfortable journey. The Derry line has seen a significant increase in passenger numbers and is now carrying over one million a year. Clive Bradbury, a Translink infrastructure executive, said he believed the latest improvements will encourage more people to take the train. "We are pleased to complete this work on schedule and on budget. It marks real progress for our customers who can now enjoy a range of benefits including more comfortable, smoother and quieter train journeys as well as the maintenance of high safety standards," he said. Journey times will improve in the autumn with current restrictions removed once the track has had time to settle, he said. "However to realise the full benefits of the project there is still more work to be done," said Mr Bradbury, "including further track renewal and signalling upgrades." |
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bancc2 |
Restricted Speeds between Ballymena & Coleraine | ||
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Posts: 350 (29/06/09 23:57:58) Full Member |
It is unlikely that trains will be running at full line speed north of Ballymena until at least the autumn when a speeded up service will be included in a new timetable. If my informant is correct the reason for the excessive delay in introducing a new timetable has nothing to do with the track bedding in. Does anyone know any reason why after (say a 2 week period) trains could not run at full line speeds? On the mainland trains are running at over 100 m.p.h. within days of track renewal. There is one of our English correspondents who could give an expert opinion. Such an opinion would be very welcome at this time. |
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jhb171achill |
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Posts: 531 (30/06/09 20:16:21) |
".....On the mainland trains are running at over 100 m.p.h. within days of track renewal....."
But we LIVE on the mainland. Rathlin, anyone? |
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NIRCLASS80 |
Unhelpful postings?? | ||
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Posts: 13 (30/06/09 21:30:17) |
This topic recently has been reduced to petty and stupid remarks. As a railway enthusiast we all know what BANCC means when he says MAINLAND, especially as
most of us buys railway mags where if we lucky the irish scene will get its own page, but as usual in this country someone takes exception no doubt due to
political views. Wise up and don't just post replies to hear yourself talk, if u cannot be constructive remain silent and this topic might just get back to
normal useful information.
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The oulfella |
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Posts: 130 (30/06/09 22:29:47) Full Member |
BANCC2, normally in the past speed restrictions stayed on for varying periods of time after a relay depending on the type and density of traffic. The Civil
Engineers used the trains to consolidate the track and ballast, with associated further tamping and lining, until the entire permanent way reaches a state when
it is fit for full line speed running.
These days, for a few million quid, you can buy a piece of kit called a dynamic stabiliser, which basically simulates a very dense traffic level of heavy trains (imagine about a hundred laden Tara trains passing you in quick succession to get some idea), and thus the speed restriction can be removed quite quickly. There is only one of these machines in Ireland that I know of, and it is currently occupied on the new tracks on the Kildare four-track project, hence Translink have to do it the traditional way on what is a comparatively lightly trafficked route. |
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Wilkinstown |
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Posts: 406 (01/07/09 08:16:07) Full Member |
While Irish Rail do indeed have at least one dynamic track stabiliser, slacks often linger for months or years even for simple renewals. Translink appear to
have a general policy of returning large-scale track renewals to service at reduced speed for approximately three months as was the case, for instance, with
the Lisburn/Belfast renewals. The quote below is a justification for this policy.
From Plasser web site "All track is subject to settling due to traffic loads. This settling occurs irregularly and in an uncontrolled manner, resulting in track deterioration. Dynamic track stabilisation is a combination of horizontal vibration and a vertical load." In contrast, as I understand it, the Glounthuane(Cobh Junction) to Midleton line will open without a general speed restriction below the design maximum. Likewise the Western Rail Corridor (Ennis to Athenry) is unlikely to have a temporary overall speed limit when re-opened. Mind you, most of the track on these routes has been in place for a minimum of several months and thus a degree of settlement would occur naturally, although I do now understand that the dynamic track stabiliser was used on the Cork line quadrupling, the Mideleton line and the WRC.
Last Edited By: Wilkinstown
03/07/09 19:21:59.
Edited 1 times.
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- IRN Noticeboard
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- The Politics Slot - Parliamentary Committee Debates on Rail Transport
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