My Analysis of Irelands Railways.

First off let me state that the purpose of this thread, is to try to discuss with others, the way Irish Rail runs our railways.

Now in my opinion, Ireland is heading towards disaster. Our Cities, towns and villages are choked with traffic and the resulting pollution, Rail is part of the solution to this menacing problem. Ireland only has a tiny rail network, in proportion to our EU counterparts, Trains outside of Dublin are basically once every 3-4hours or Daily, This doesn’t represent the sort of service that could and should be made available to members of the public. At present Irish Rails Inter City service, is slow, cumbersome usually overcrowded and is a complete and total rip-off for an adult return fare.
Take for instance other European countries like Switzerland, They have excellent services on all lines not just those between the Metropolises Like Cork and Dublin. Ireland could have a service 50% better than Switzerland as we don’t have the problem of flat ground being a rarity here. Basically what I’m trying to say is Irish Rail should scrap their express type trains, ie. those that must stop every where along the line, instead buy some new trains run 2 or 3 an hour and stop at every 2nd or 3rd station. Hey presto a better faster improved service. Now I will be chastised “why run so many, they are sure to be empty” they won’t be empty if ticket fares were slashed, and why do we need trains nearly a kilometre long ? run more trains about every 15 mins with between 3 and 6 carriages, less weight bearing down on the loco, less fuel would be used, faster speeds could be attained and with a smaller Train size, breakdowns would be less and maintenance costs would decrease.
Also another point I’d like to make is why don’t Irish Rail but in second tracks where they are needed like the Portarlington to Athlone line anyway should be doubled up, it would allow more services to Galway and the west.

About the western Rail corridor it is a disgrace to see it lying idle. I know it will cost up to €300 million to reopen, so here’s my plan let the Irish Government reopen it, but in place what needs to be done. Then let a private company like Connex operate the serivces, Irish rail could timetable it’s trains to match the connex trains at the interconnecting stations like Ennis and Athenry etc. So when an Ennis bound train would pull into Athenry station an Irish rail train bound for Galway or Dublin could pull in 5 or 10 mins Earlier/later to allow passengers to make use of the Services to the full extent and vice versa. Tickets could be purchased at any Irish Rail or WRC station for services across the Island North & South. A sample fare of say €20 adult return from Ennis to Galway could include a €5 tax on the fares to pay for the WRC reopening so €15 would got to connex and €5 to the Government. Irish Rail could also operate its trains on the WRC until this loan was repaid to the government. They could then compete with each other for passengers and freight on the line.

The same set-up could be applied and used to re-open lines closed like the West-Clare Narrow gauge and the Navan line as well as several others.

Such services on these new lines and revitalised service on existing line could help beat the gridlock on our roads would cut Co2 emissions big time and benefit everyone.

Such services won’t work without 3 things,
A) public- private partnership.
Reduced fares, which equals more passengers = more profit than with original sky high fare.
C) A will between trade unions and management to implement what is needed to make better changers for a brighter future for commuters and our rail network.

Other ways to improve capacity, safety and speed would be to bring in double-decker carraiges such as those Amtrak use in the states. Also scrap traditional signalling and introduce GPS tracking on all trains and remote control over them in Emergencies from a central control room for the entire network. Remove those stupid 20mph speed limits through stations and let trains speed through if not stopping, it can take up to 5mins to pass through some stations which would take about 45seconds if not for those speed limits. Just keep people clear of all platforms until about 5mins before a train due to stop at the station pulls in.

Well this is my analysis of the railways,
I hope it can stir up some could discussion on the subjects raised.

Regards netwhizkid.