New Sligo Trains

magnumlady

I went to see the new Sligo train today. I'm not usually into trains but seeing as I do the journey to Dublin quite often I thought I'd have a look.
Very impressed so far, although you can't tell for sure until you do the journey.
I got carried away and took a photo or twenty, they are here if anyone wants a look:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magnumlady/810308881/

AlmightyCushion

They look good. When do they come into use?

magnumlady

One of the workers said sometime in August, another said the second week in August.
We'll only get one at a time but they are hoping in the end to have seven services running (every two hours) every day between Sligo and Dublin.

Drag00n79

Thanks for posting up the pics MagnumLady. Are the new seats more comfortable than the current ones? I can't relax in them seats at all and usually end up wishing for the older train!

AlmightyCushion

I'll be finishing up in Dublin in either the end of August or the end of September so I probably won't get to use them that much.

magnumlady

Shamrok wrote:

Thanks for posting up the pics MagnumLady. Are the new seats more comfortable than the current ones? I can't relax in them seats at all and usually end up wishing for the older train!

The seats are sort of the same as the current trains, the good thing is that there is more leg room and most of the seats have tables, so its more roomy that the trains we have at the moment (I hate those trains!)
Last time we came back from Dublin we got an old train and it was great!

AlmightyCushion

The current trains are nothing but a joke. Is there space for more people in these new trains as there was always a problem getting seats at busy times on the current trains.

magnumlady

AlmightyCushion wrote:

The current trains are nothing but a joke. Is there space for more people in these new trains as there was always a problem getting seats at busy times on the current trains.

I'd say roughly about the same amount of seats, but there were only 4 carriages today and its capable of having 6 carriages.

AlmightyCushion

magnumlady wrote:

I'd say roughly about the same amount of seats, but there were only 4 carriages today and its capable of having 6 carriages.

Well having six would solve the lack of seats problem. I'm glad to see that the seats have tables (real tables and not the crap they have on the current trains).

tuppence

Did you check the heat is working?! I had to travel on the old commuter trains for the last six months once a a month and not once was the heat on. They are only supposed to do short runs those trains. The most frustrating thing is that they always blame somone else if there isnt heat, dining trolley, a train etc.
They'll be running out of people to be blaming. Half expecting them to start on Craig Doyle soon. ((They never sent him on the bone shaker that they gave us on the Sligo line on them ads):D

Basq

Yep, i hope they're more comfy than the current ones.

Made the mistake of taking the train up to Dublin last year when i was going to Brussels. No room for my baggage anywhere - had to place it by the doorway and keep an eye out at every station in case it was knocked over (or even less likely considering the weight of it, stolen). The seats are really uncomfortable too.

The old train was filthy and was barely track-worthy. But i for one enjoyed the large table with the two couch type seats either side.

Gillie

I find that I fly or drive to Dublin anymore unless I have business in or near the IFSC!

Loved the train when I was young but not anymore!

Hopefully these new trains will be more comfy than the current and will not break down like the old ones!

AlmightyCushion

basquille wrote:

But i for one enjoyed the large table with the two couch type seats either side.

Well going by the pictures the vast majority of these seats have tables. I think they have seats similar to the current ones.

magnumlady

Yep the majority of seats have tables, although there are still quite a few without. The seats are very similar to the current trains.
Didn't check the heating although the air conditioning was on, we were told the temp is maintain at 21 degrees.
Theres a video here: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=E5_X1msqWto

JIZZLORD

Thank christ, i rarely get the train due to college in galway, but on the occasions that i do i like to be able to relax.

Gillie

Looks nice from that Video.

AlmightyCushion

magnumlady wrote:

Theres a video here: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=E5_X1msqWto

Damn work and their blocking of youtube. Must take a look at this at the weekend.

Tar.Aldarion

New train looks good.

magnumlady

It smells like a new car, I daresay that will wear off though.

flynnser19

omg about time!!i did that triip twice a week wen i was at college last yea rit put me off thank god there's somethign new for this year!!!

genie

Looks very nice. Is there a buffet car or somewhere to get a tea or coffee?

magnumlady

No sign of a buffet car, although it was only 4 carriages on Saturday. I'm guessing they will still use that trolley although how they are going to get the trolley down the corridor I'll never know.

Gillie

We're still way behind the other routes though!

I was on a train from Dublin to Limerick Junction.

A couple of impressive things that don't happen on the Sligo Line:
-CIE employee directing ppl to spare seats on the train
-A person periodically passing through the carraiges to pick up litter from the tables.

I was quite impressed by this!

il gatto

Wow. I may start using the train again. I had given up on the damn thing.

Victor

Gillie wrote:

-CIE employee directing ppl to spare seats on the train
-A person periodically passing through the carraiges to pick up litter from the tables.

Both are very hit and miss. Reserved seats are regularly sat in and the staff won't move people.

Captain Chaos

magnumlady wrote:

No sign of a buffet car, although it was only 4 carriages on Saturday. I'm guessing they will still use that trolley although how they are going to get the trolley down the corridor I'll never know.

There is no buffet car in the 3 car sets only vending machines. The 6 car sets coming later in the year will have a buffet car but they may not be put on the Sligo line.

These 22000 class only come in 3 and 6 car sets but they can be coupled in different combinations to a max of 9/12 cars, depending on the max station length on the line on which they are being used.

SeanW

I have been following this in great detail, so I can give some details.

The new railcars are proper Intercity railcars designed for long haul use. The trains presently in use on the Sligo line are of a Commuter grade, designed to pack in commuters like sardines over very short distances - they were never designed to be appropriate for any kind of long distance service and that is clearly stated in their specifications. IE pulled a similar stunt on the Rosslare-Dublin line as well.

So yes, these trains will be a dramatic improvement. Like night and day. The trainsets come in 3 car and 6 car configurations.

But it gets better. The set in Sligo was one of the 3 coach types. These have standard class seating only and minimal catering.

The 6 coach sets have a first class section, full catering, and some other facilities in addition.

Sligo will recieve one of these 6 coach sets, which I expect will be doing high peak services.

In addition, they have the capability to run at 100MPH, whereas both the trains Commuter trains they replaced, and the locomotive hauled "Mark 2d" carraiges they replace were limited to 75MPH. This could open the way for higher speed and faster journies as well.

It's a new day for the much abused Sligo line.

I went there on the show day, and I did a photo-report of my own here.

Gillie

Victor wrote:

Both are very hit and miss. Reserved seats are regularly sat in and the staff won't move people.

Oh!
Good to know!

Captain Chaos

SeanW wrote:

I have been following this in great detail, so I can give some details.

The new railcars are proper Intercity railcars designed for long haul use. The trains presently in use on the Sligo line are of a Commuter grade, designed to pack in commuters like sardines over very short distances - they were never designed to be appropriate for any kind of long distance service and that is clearly stated in their specifications. IE pulled a similar stunt on the Rosslare-Dublin line as well.

So yes, these trains will be a dramatic improvement. Like night and day. The trainsets come in 3 car and 6 car configurations.

But it gets better. The set in Sligo was one of the 3 coach types. These have standard class seating only and minimal catering.

The 6 coach sets have a first class section, full catering, and some other facilities in addition.

Sligo will recieve one of these 6 coach sets, which I expect will be doing high peak services.

In addition, they have the capability to run at 100MPH, whereas both the trains Commuter trains they replaced, and the locomotive hauled "Mark 2d" carraiges they replace were limited to 75MPH. This could open the way for higher speed and faster journies as well.

It's a new day for the much abused Sligo line.

I went there on the show day, and I did a photo-report of my own here.

The only thing about the 100mph top speed is that not much of the track on the Sligo line is of a high enough quality for 100mph rolling stock. Only a few sections I belive are cleared for this so journey times for the near future wil be around the same until the line gets upgraded.

magnumlady

We were told that as Sligo only has a single track they will only run them at 75mph, but on the Cork track they tried one out and it ran at 100mph.

AlmightyCushion

magnumlady wrote:

We were told that as Sligo only has a single track they will only run them at 75mph, but on the Cork track they tried one out and it ran at 100mph.

I'd love if they could run them at 100mph on the Sligo track, it would shorten the journey down a bit.

Gillie

There are some dodgy spots along the Sligo route so probably better off.

Anyway 3 hours isn't bad!

flynnser19

its bad wen ya do it twice a week and then have to get on a bus wen ya get to dublin on a friday lol!!!they need to try and shorten the journey!!!people dont bother visiting the west because its such a long journey!!half the stops on the sligo line noone EVER gets on them!!!

genie

Apart from the condition of the line, aren't there too many stations on the route to be able to reach speeds of up to 100mph?

I hope they bring the 'Early Bird' train back too, as I used to use it a lot.

Gillie

flynnser19 wrote:

its bad wen ya do it twice a week and then have to get on a bus wen ya get to dublin on a friday lol!!!they need to try and shorten the journey!!!people dont bother visiting the west because its such a long journey!!half the stops on the sligo line noone EVER gets on them!!!

I wouldn't agree with your point about ppl visiting the West!
What ppl exactly?
I would find Dundalk as inaccessible as you find Sligo i'm sure!
Would you not get the train from Dundalk and switch over at connelly?

Gillie

genie wrote:

I hope they bring the 'Early Bird' train back too, as I used to use it a lot.

Why/when did it stop?

Tiesto

i think the new train looks pretty nice.. i dont like the way they look so plasticy but.... still so much better than what we had..
not the German ICE tho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANB-yZIJP6o&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0PCXyDAVd4

genie

Gillie wrote:

Why/when did it stop?

Last year, it seems.

http://www.oceanfm.ie/onair/sligoleitrimnews.php?articleid=000001650

It only goes from Longford now. There wasn't a buffet car/trolly and it was quite often freezing but it did get you into Dublin by 8:30am.

Gillie

Yeah I remember it. Very handy alright.

You were lucky to get a Buffet car/Trolley on a normal service as I recall not to mention lucky to just get there!

flynnser19

Gillie wrote:

I wouldn't agree with your point about ppl visiting the West!
What ppl exactly?
I would find Dundalk as inaccessible as you find Sligo i'm sure!
Would you not get the train from Dundalk and switch over at connelly?

thats what i would do!!there's loads of tourists wanting to see the west im sure they dont look forward to the 3 hour journey like??!well dundalk is accessible from most places tbh belfast,monaghan,dublin,newry, drogheda i dunno how many mroe all have direct routes to it as does galway and maynooth actually so its accessible enough. but that wasnt my point i was just saying that the trip to sligo is long for a college student who lives in the east thats all!!i dont want this to get into an argument over who's town is better!!

tuppence

genie wrote:

I hope they bring the 'Early Bird' train back too, as I used to use it a lot.

I was thinking that but the other way round. I have a friend who lives near Dromad and works in Sligo and would happily get a train to town if he could but he cannt. First one does'nt leave him in til 11 or so, i think. There must be plenty of people in the surburban belt of Collooney, Ballymote, Boyle and Carrick that would avail of a commuter train to Sligo to get in for 9am? (Will these train timetables help him do you reckon?)
Ye all know the Thom Moore song about the train to Sligo. Certain there couldnt be too many Irish lines that have a song about them. He will have to launch the new trains when they arrive.

Gillie

flynnser19 wrote:

thats what i would do!!there's loads of tourists wanting to see the west im sure they dont look forward to the 3 hour journey like??!well dundalk is accessible from most places tbh belfast,monaghan,dublin,newry, drogheda i dunno how many mroe all have direct routes to it as does galway and maynooth actually so its accessible enough. but that wasnt my point i was just saying that the trip to sligo is long for a college student who lives in the east thats all!!i dont want this to get into an argument over who's town is better!!

No arguement my friend! Just wanted clarification.
Its a point that's close to my heart!
There is very little option when it comes to travelling in the west.
There are a lot more options when it comes to travelling in the east.

However give me the back roads any day over the M50/Toll Bridges!;)

Victor

genie wrote:

Apart from the condition of the line, aren't there too many stations on the route to be able to reach speeds of up to 100mph?

Not really a problem. Stand on the platform at Malahide (only a few km from Portmarnock) and you'll see the Enterprise whizz through.

The real problem with the Sligo line is the alignment, with lots of bends and a few dated bridges.

genie

Victor wrote:

Not really a problem. Stand on the platform at Malahide (only a few km from Portmarnock) and you'll see the Enterprise whizz through.

The real problem with the Sligo line is the alignment, with lots of bends and a few dated bridges.

I see. Thanks.

Tiesto

i think missing somEthing here..
all the stops,bus transfers, delays that i had to go through the few times I used the train over the last few years.. and all this talk about them spending millions on upgrading the lines.....

eh for what if the fricking new train cant even go a sluggish 100mph on the most of the route

easkey

Yes I must say it is a nice train.
Hope more nice things come to Sligo:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Captain Chaos

Tiesto wrote:

i think missing somEthing here..
all the stops,bus transfers, delays that i had to go through the few times I used the train over the last few years.. and all this talk about them spending millions on upgrading the lines.....

eh for what if the fricking new train cant even go a sluggish 100mph on the most of the route

It was the signaling system that was upgraded on the Sligo line in the last year. If you want to increase line speeds the signaling system must be brought up to spec first.

In all fairness the SLigo line needs to be rebuilt form Maynooth to Sligo, double tracking, less bends and replace the bridges. Not going to happen in our life times.:D

Gillie

what he said.
Be thankful for the new carraiges! We're lucky to have em!

dingding

Was it not converted to welded track and concrete sleepers a few years ago.

The main reason it takes 3 hours is the number of stops.

There should look at including a number of express trains with reduced stops.

Also the bus departures match the train departures very closely, perhaps if they were to stagger the bus times by an hour it would be better.

Captain Chaos

The reason for the stops aswell is to let a train pass in the opposite direction as most of the line in single track and only double at some stations.

If there were less stops there would be less trains in each direction.

There are also Commuter trains that run between Connolly and Maynooth to work around and the conjestion at Connolly that also delays the Sligo trains.

cartoncowboy

They would want to replace that bridge over the Shannon where the train slows to about 5mph. ****ten meself everytime it goes over it. With all the money being thrown at it this must be on their list. Surely the ability to whizz over that bridge would shave a few mins off the journey but IE would probably pad the timetable anyway to cover their asses to say they are punctual! :mad: