Drogheda/Dundalk Commuter

foggy_lad · 18-05-2013 6:23pm #1

Just got the 6.05 train from Connolly to Drogheda and it is quite packed with dozens standing. What is the justification for using a 3car 22000 set on this busy commuter route especially at peak times? There are also some scumbags after getting on at Howth junction.they are noisy using bad language and drinking cans of bud.

Hilly Bill · 18-05-2013 6:31pm

That train was busy not packed. There was seats available.

BenShermin · 18-05-2013 6:47pm

Using intercity stock on a commuter route seems ridiculous in itself. Is there a 29K shortage?

Losty Dublin · 18-05-2013 9:58pm

BenShermin wrote: »

Using intercity stock on a commuter route seems ridiculous in itself. Is there a 29K shortage?

A 3 car 22000 set actually seats slightly more than a 4 car 29000. On an off peak day like a Saturday it is well suited to carry what's asked of it.

foggy_lad · 19-05-2013 12:45am

Losty Dublin wrote: »

A 3 car 22000 set actually seats slightly more than a 4 car 29000. On an off peak day like a Saturday it is well suited to carry what's asked of it.

Not for a peak time 6pm service which has hundreds of kids and shoppers as well as Saturday commuters. The train was clean though but arrived in Balbriggan 5minutes late.

BenShermin · 19-05-2013 1:21am

Losty Dublin wrote: »

A 3 car 22000 set actually seats slightly more than a 4 car 29000. On an off peak day like a Saturday it is well suited to carry what's asked of it.

It might be well suited for the loads it's carrying but it isn't suited for the job imo. Commuter stock has two doors in the middle to allow for quick alighting and boarding at stations, this takes longer on an intercity train because the doors are smaller and are at either end of the carriage. This is probably why the train was 5mins late according to Foggy Lad.

Commuter trains are also subject to a lot more wear and tear because of heavy loadings, the Dart and 29ks interiors reflect this, a carpeted 22k doesn't. Not to mention the fact that several people will be bringing bikes on commuter services since it's free to do so on weekends, much easier to fit several bikes on a 29k.

Losty Dublin · 19-05-2013 1:31am

BenShermin wrote: »

It might be well suited for the loads it's carrying but it isn't suited for the job imo. Commuter stock has two doors in the middle to allow for quick alighting and boarding at stations, this takes longer on an intercity train because the doors are smaller and are at either end of the carriage. This is probably why the train was 5mins late according to Foggy Lad.

Commuter trains are also subject to a lot more wear and tear because of heavy loadings, the Dart and 29ks interiors reflect this, a carpeted 22k doesn't. Not to mention the fact that several people will be bringing bikes on commuter services since it's free to do so on weekends, much easier to fit several bikes on a 29k.

Yes, a 29 is better suited for crowds but for a weekend and off peak services a 22 is more than adequate.

On topic, I expect that the 29's were probably moved onto diagrams to better cater for the crowds going to the Heineken Cup final.

kingshankly · 19-05-2013 9:25pm

22s are only use on Saturdays the same train is 8X 29s mon to Friday
Although it gets busy on Saturday it can cope easily with demand

shamwari · 22-05-2013 11:34pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

Just got the 6.05 train from Connolly to Drogheda and it is quite packed with dozens standing. What is the justification for using a 3car 22000 set on this busy commuter route especially at peak times?

As mentioned previously, the set is busy but not overcrowded. It is adequate for purpose for that service given its typical loadings.

foggy_lad wrote: »

There are also some scumbags after getting on at Howth junction.they are noisy using bad language and drinking cans of bud.

Did you report it? Not to be flippant, but reporting it would be entirely consistent with the actions of what any other concerned and civic minded citizen like you would do foggy.

BenShermin wrote: »

Using intercity stock on a commuter route seems ridiculous in itself. Is there a 29s shortage?

There's no shortage of 29's but the 22's have worked a number of services on that route for two years now. The 22's are also maintained in Drogheda to load-balance the maintenance schedule between there and Laois depot. They might as well work revenue earning services than travel empty between the two. Bear in mind also that Drogheda and Dundalk are intercity stops too, so IC rolling stock serving the locations would technically-speaking not be out of place.

kingshankly wrote: »

22s are only use on Saturdays the same train is 8X 29s mon to Friday
Although it gets busy on Saturday it can cope easily with demand

They regularly work a number of weekday services as well as Saturdays on that route.

Jamie2k9 · 23-05-2013 12:23am

Foggy you had a seat on a Saturday afternoon service which is all that matters, if you were that concerned you should of offered you seat up as it wasn't packed out, I think 15-20 passengers standing on a ICR is acceptable however when that exceeds its not acceptable.

I am glad that you a fare paying customer got a seat...;)

end of the road · 23-05-2013 5:53pm

BenShermin wrote: »

Using intercity stock on a commuter route seems ridiculous in itself. Is there a 29K shortage?

probably to busy doing runs to and from sligo and rosslare, not good enough at all, why bother buying different types of stock if your not going to use them properly on their intended routes?

dowlingm · 23-05-2013 6:17pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Foggy you had a seat on a Saturday afternoon service which is all that matters, if you were that concerned you should of offered you seat up as it wasn't packed out, I think 15-20 passengers standing on a ICR is acceptable however when that exceeds its not acceptable.

I am glad that you a fare paying customer got a seat...;)

His fare was paid by the DSW. The conditions of the corporate contract between DSW and IE are unfavourable to IE but yes, some money did change hands.

monument · 23-05-2013 6:32pm

dowlingm wrote: »

His fare was paid by the DSW. The conditions of the corporate contract between DSW and IE are unfavourable to IE but yes, some money did change hands.

It's really none of your or anybody else's business how posters pay for their travel. Regular users should know this already.

Please do not post about this again. This is not a request.

Do not reply to this post.

Drogheda/Dundalk Commuter

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