Northern Line Derailing

P_1

Just home after my train terminating at Rush and Lusk. A goods train derailed somewhere around Skerries this evening closing both lines. Could be an issue in the morning.

Moonbeam

Home a few minutes was on the 10:22 train from town too.

Glad to hear it was a goods train and not a passenger one.

Hopefully they have buses in place in the morning if the line is not re-opened.

Rashers72

Rang Connolly information desk this morning. They have no details on the back-up plan - i.e. extra buses/coaches. This time Irish Rail have had all night to arrange to minimise impact. So much for an 'emergency action plan'.:mad:
See update from Irish Rail website
Travel Alerts
SEVERE DISRUPTION TO NORTHERN LINE & BELFAST SERVICES by Corporate Communications


11th January 2008 - 05.15hrs

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that Northern line services will be severely disrupted today due to the derailment of a freight train south of Skerries last night.

All services for this morning's peak are cancelled between Dundalk/Drogheda and Dublin. Iarnród Éireann advises customers to make alternative arrangements.

Dublin/Belfast services are also disrupted. Bus transfers will operate for Dublin/Belfast services to Drogheda/Dundalk.

Iarnród Éireann crews are working to clear the line as soon as possible in order to have one track open, to provide a limited service later today.

As the derailment has caused damage to track and sleepers, it is not expected that full services will resume until later in the weekend at the earliest.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the derailment, which involved a laden mineral ore freight train running from Tara Mines to North Wall. The incident occurred shortly before 11.00pm and six wagons on the train derailed.

Further service information will be updated at this site as soon as it becomes available.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.

Lister1

Is taking a bus in an alternative or can I assume that they will be full to capacity? Is there enough room on them to take the people that usual travel by train?

Rashers72

Lister1 wrote: »

Is taking a bus in an alternative or can I assume that they will be full to capacity? Is there enough room on them to take the people that usual travel by train?

To be fair Connolly information rang me back. They hope to have 1 extra bus run this morning within the next hour.
RTE advise 7,000 people impacted. I would have thought it was a lot more. A full capacity suburban train carries 1,500 passengers X 10 services in (in the peak only) = 15,000 + those travelling out.

Terrontress

Donabate does not even have a bus to town! There is the 33b which leaves every 30mins or 1hr to Swords and that's all.

As anyone who uses the service regularly will tell you, Donabate station has enough passengers to fill 2 double deckers at 7.50 and 8.15, 1 double decker at 7.30 and 8.30 and half of one at 8.00

They will have to do something here.

cailinoBAC

I went for the 7.42 train from Balbriggan (god my hands are freezing typing this). Waited for a bus eireann bus for one and a half hours. Then was going to go for 9.30 33 as the Bus Eireann were all passing by without stopping. But decided that would take forever and was better to come home and defrost for an hour or so until it all calms down.

The Black Oil

Was awake at 6:15 so fortunately I heard it on Newstalk at 6:30, was on the 33 bus at 7:10 and in the city centre at 8:35, meh.

Hitman Actual

Does anyone know the status of the Maynooth Arrow line (technically it's part of the Northern line)? Is that running?

Bluetonic

lenny_leonard wrote: »

Does anyone know the status of the Maynooth Arrow line (technically it's part of the Northern line)? Is that running?

It's not part of the Northern Line at all.

Hecate

There was a replacement coach from Dundalk station for the 7:57 enterprise, got to Connolly at 9:30 with a shortcut through the port tunnel

Skyhater

AA Roadwatch said there were (maybe still are) huge tailbacks on the M1 as a result of the derailment.
Hope this shows government the benefit of rail transport and what additional investment can deliver!!!

Hitman Actual

Bluetonic wrote: »

It's not part of the Northern Line at all.

Are they not on the same line for about 1km north-west of Connolly? Although I could be mistaken. Anyway, it doesn't matter, the Arrow is running as normal.

ixoy

lenny_leonard wrote: »

Are they not on the same line for about 1km north-west of Connolly? Although I could be mistaken. Anyway, it doesn't matter, the Arrow is running as normal.

They join up just outside Connolly and the derailment happened near Skerries. The Northern Line outage therefore doesn't include the northside DART services but the commuter services running to Drogheda/Dundalk. I've a mate out in Balbriggan - wonder how he coped..

sugark

Have heard that Bus Eireann are not honouring rail tickets and full fare has to be paid - wonder how much they'll make from this...

I suppose there's no chance that the toll in the Port tunnel could be lowered to the weekend rate to make it easier for people to travel?

Moonbeam

Lister1 wrote: »

Is there enough room on them to take the people that usual travel by train?

Fotfl thanks for that morning giggle:)



I left Balbriggan by Car at 7:15 and was in Blanch at 7:50 via the m50,Tailbacks,what tailbacks?;)

Bluetonic

sugark wrote: »

Have heard that Bus Eireann are not honouring rail tickets and full fare has to be paid - wonder how much they'll make from this...

I suppose there's no chance that the toll in the Port tunnel could be lowered to the weekend rate to make it easier for people to travel?

Rail users who have tickets purchased in advance, annual, weekly etc.., are entitled to a refund for the their loss of service per journey. The refund being the value of that journey in relation to the price of the ticket.

IRISH RAIL

Commuter services to maynooth are not affected and all darts are running on time.
services to Rosslare Europort are not affected.

sugark

It would be great if Bus Eireann could inform their drivers of this - anyone I've spoken to this morning who had to take the bus from Balbriggan was told that they had to pay or they would not be allowed on. In all cases, as soon as the doors opened, the driver announced that it was €5 to the city centre and that rail tickets didn't count.

Perhaps this statement could be put up on the Bus Eireann and Irish Rail websites - then us commuters could print it off and bring it with us to Busarus on our way home this evening?

brayblue24

I may have to go to Dundalk tomorrow morning by train. I will only be going one way from Dublin in the morning. As I can wait until Monday if I really have to I would appreciate any feedback from this evening's "lucky" commuters...

Duke Fame

This might sound silly but could the trains not just run to rush and then return changing lines at malahide like the dart? This would be of some help to a lot of people.

IRISH RAIL

Sugark ive e mailed someone about that you can get a refund from connoly station customer service desk. are you sure it was a Bus Eireann coach and not a private operator exploiting the situation?

IRISH RAIL

Apparantly it is only Dublin Bus today that are honoring rail tickets apologies to anyone who was inconveinienced by this.
please see www.iarnrodeireann.ie for full details of how to claim your refund.

sugark

IRISH RAIL wrote: »

Apparantly it is only Dublin Bus today that are honoring rail tickets apologies to anyone who was inconveinienced by this.
please see www.iarnrodeireann.ie for full details of how to claim your refund.

I have actually looked at the site for the refund details already - no details on how those of us who have annual tickets can get a refund for the €10 we're going to spend on Bus Eireann today! Any ideas IRISH RAIL?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann both come under CIE? For one company to be profiting off the misfortune of another (with the commuter bearing the brunt) is ridiculous. Don't want to be ranting on here, but I've paid the best part of a grand for an annual ticket, I don't see why I should have to be a €5 to get home because of an accident. These are all public sector companies. Isn't there any joined up thinking?

IRISH RAIL

I wont comment on that one track thinking
if you go into the cus service dept in connoly they will help you out
sorry about the delay in these messages there seems to be something wrong with oards it continuassly shows the time as 11 13

Bluetonic

sugark wrote: »

I have actually looked at the site for the refund details already - no details on how those of us who have annual tickets can get a refund for the €10 we're going to spend on Bus Eireann today! Any ideas IRISH RAIL?

You won't be getting a refund for 10 euro spent today, thats your choice to pay that. You'll get a refund for the portion of your annual ticket that was unusable today.

sugark

Bluetonic wrote: »

You won't be getting a refund for 10 euro spent today, thats your choice to pay that. You'll get a refund for the portion of your annual ticket that was unusable today.

Am I the only one here who thinks it's bizarre that one public sector transport company can profit off the misfortune of another. No one can blame Irish Rail for this - accidents can and do happen (the only good thing being that it seems no one was injured). But aren't the two companies part of CIE?

Bluetonic, I don't think I lot of people would use the word "choice" when it came to getting to and from work today. It was either pay or stay at home for a lot of people. To wait for a couple of hours, and then get charged for the privilage from the sister company of the one that's cancelled its service? I wouldn't describe that as "choice".

Bluetonic

sugark wrote: »

Bluetonic, I don't think I lot of people would use the word "choice" when it came to getting to and from work today. It was either pay or stay at home for a lot of people. To wait for a couple of hours, and then get charged for the privilage from the sister company of the one that's cancelled its service? I wouldn't describe that as "choice".

For the people who were passed by Bus Eireann buses and decided to get taxis, do you think they should get refunded their fair, be that 50 euro?

sugark

I'm not looking for a refund, I'm just asking why Bus Eireann can't honour rail tickets in extreme cases like this. Especially as Dublin Bus can do it, and they are all sister companies.

I'm just wondering, why can't Bus Eireann?

Edited to say that according to ireland.com a limited service will be up and running soon. Hopefully everyone gets home tonight without too many delays.

musicfan

I agree its so stupid that Bus Eireann wouldn't honour prepaid train fares - I had to fork out for the bus fare this morning (paying extra to get to work an hour late just because Irish Rails sister company won't honour their tickets!). Then again, it is Ireland so what should we expect!!!

I spoke to a guy in the train station this morning and I asked would Bus Eireann honour the train tickets and he said no.......with the tone of voice that suggested how could I be so stupid for asking the question!

Regarding the limited service this afternoon and evening, does anybody know what trains will be running to Drogheda???

sugark

Thanks musicfan, I was beginning to think I was the only one who wondered why Bus Eireann didn't do this. Have emailed them to ask but don't expect to hear back soon (in fairness, I'd say they're having a busy day!).

I'd give it another hour or so and then ring Iarnrod Eireann to see what the service is - they've only just ran the test train so probably no exact details yet.

L1011

Bluetonic wrote: »

For the people who were passed by Bus Eireann buses and decided to get taxis, do you think they should get refunded their fair, be that 50 euro?

Generally whenever Irish Rail has fecked up and left me stranded once I had a contract (monthly ticket) with them I've got taxis paid for by them. Various issues such as non running late trains, Drumcondra station being closed when it was meant to be open, and so on. So, yes, if they're as argumentative as I am...

Hecate

Didn't have to pay for the replacement coach from Dundalk this morning - however it wasn't a Bus Eireann bus, so they may have made other arrangements.

sugark

Good for you, MYOB. Maybe I'll send them my bus tickets and see what happens...

I think we all appreciate that accidents can and do happen. It's just the lack of a coherent policy by all of the public sector transport providers, especially in the case of emergencies such as this, which is so frustrating. As is Bus Eireann being quoted on ireland.com saying about how they got the bus stations cleared and that "... and everybody who needed to be carried was carried". Yeah, well done. And how much money did you make on that?

Edited to say, Hecate, I believe that if you got one of the Irish Rail organised coaches, you didn't have to pay. It was if you went straight for the Bus Eireann service, you did. The Irish Rail organised coaches were full leaving Dundalk and Drogheda, so they couldn't stop on the way for passengers in Balbriggan, Donabate, etc.

musicfan

sugark wrote: »

Edited to say, Hecate, I believe that if you got one of the Irish Rail organised coaches, you didn't have to pay. It was if you went straight for the Bus Eireann service, you did. The Irish Rail organised coaches were full leaving Dundalk and Drogheda, so they couldn't stop on the way for passengers in Balbriggan, Donabate, etc.

When I rang Drogheda train station this morning, I asked were they putting on bus transfers to the town - I was told no (again, with the tone of voice that I was stupid for thinking such a thing!). The guy told me that there was a Bus Eireann stop outside the train station, or to go to the Bus Depot where there was plenty of buses running regularly!!! On this basis, I had no other choice than to pay Bus Eireann to get me to work!!!!

Did they actually run buses from Drogheda Train Station????

sugark

Apologies, I must have been just from Dundalk.

Oh, I just read another statement from Bus Eireann about how great they are. Grrrrr...

musicfan

Bus Eireann are great! They take advantage of the thousands of people (customers of their sister company) who couldnt take the train this morning and charge them for the privilege!!!! :mad:

As I was standing in Connolly this morning, there were announcements (and displays) saying the Dublin bus would honour any rail tickets. All well and good, if Dublin Bus was an option! Not really fair for Drogheda and Dundalk commuters!!!

Mind you, if Irish Rail laid on buses from Dundalk, were Drogheda commuters, the only people who really had no option but to pay Bus Eireann?????????

sugark

That's what it seems like!

According to ireland.com there are bus services being put on from Drogheda to Connolly, but maybe only for those on the Belfast train.

"On the Dublin-Belfast-Dublin route, the 13.20hrs Belfast Enterprise service was in operation and all subsequent services will operate with minor delays up to the 20.10hrs service from Belfast to Dublin. That train will run to Drogheda with bus transfers from there to Connolly Station in Dublin." (From Ireland.com)

musicfan

I did hear late this morning (well after I was in Dublin courtsey of Bus Eireann!), that there was bus transfers from Drogheda for the Belfast / Enterprise train.........

Obviously, as there is only 1 (i think!) enterprise going to Drogheda in the mornings, that is not much use to the thousands of other regular commuters / users of Irish Rail services!!!

I wonder why the people on the Enterprise train are so special??????

While I'm sure everyone agrees that yes accidents happen and thankfully no-one was hurt in the incident, I think what will annoy alot of commuters about this scenario, is Irish Rails response to it i.e. why did they not provide a bus service to Dublin from affected stations, why could they not have an agreement in place between Irish Rail, Bus Eireann and Dublin bus, that in the event of an emergency that other tickets will be honoured. It can't be that hard to arrange that!!!!

IRISH RAIL

Just out fron cc
Full northbound service with a limited southboud service from 1630
ALL SERVICES WILL BE CANCELLED THIS WEEKEND

musicfan

Also just posted on the Irish Rail website, that Bus Eireann will honour all rail tickets for Saturday on Sunday.

Its a pity that Irish Rail couldn't have sorted this out today for the thousands of regular commuters that contribute to the Irish Rail coffers every day, week in week out! Or this this just too much to ask??????????

sugark

That is exactly the right question to ask, musicfan. Should this be something the Minister for Transport can address? As you say, a prearrangement in event of emergencys would just make things far easier.

Can I be greedy and say that in situations like this, the Port Tunnel should reduce its €12 toll to €3 to help ease the traffic congestion (I know, I'm dreaming...).

Sod the commute home, I'm off to the pub...

Moonbeam

Here we go:)


NORTHERN LINE & BELFAST LINE - MOST NORTHBOUND SERVICES IN OPERATION by Corporate Communications

Update: Friday 11th January 2008 - 15.45hrs

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that most Northern Commuter and Belfast services are operating this evening folowing a derailment of a freight train south of Skerries last night.

Southbound services will be limited.

Please note that Normal DART Services are operating.

All Dublin/Belfast/Dublin services will operate up to the 20.10hrs Belfast - Dublin service which will operate by rail to Drogheda with bus transfers from Drogheda to Connolly Station, Dublin.

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th January.

Following last services tonight (Friday 11th), the Northern line will be closed and remain closed through the weekend to allow track repairs.

Dundalk/Drogheda and Dublin Services: No Northbound/Southbound Commuter services will operate on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th January.

Dublin Bus will honour Commuter rail tickets on both days.

Dublin/Belfast/Dublin services :Northbound Dublin/Belfast services will operate by bus transfers from Dublin, Connolly to Drogheda and by rail from Drogheda to Belfast.

Southbound Belfast/Dublin services will operate by rail from Belfast to Drogheda and by bus transfer from Drogheda and Connolly Station, Dublin. A delay of 30 to 40 minutes delay may occur on these services.

Please note that Bus Eireann will honour Balbriggan and Co. Louth rail tickets on both days.

Monday 14th January

It is hoped that full normal services will be in operation by Monday morning.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.


I had a little rant ,then saw the Bus Eireann small print at the end;)

musicfan

Moonbeam wrote: »

Here we go:)


Please note that Bus Eireann will honour Balbriggan and Co. Louth rail tickets on both days.


I had a little rant ,then saw the Bus Eireann small print at the end;)

As I say, Irish Rail / Bus Eireann will look after the people who are commuting / travelling on Saturday and Sunday.............tough s**t if you commute on weekdays (like today!!!!!)

sugark

Yay, a bit of common sense from Bus Eireann at last.

Pity they couldn't honour those for this evening too though...

Safe home everyone.

L1011

musicfan wrote: »

I wonder why the people on the Enterprise train are so special??????

Because they could be paying up to 70 quid for a single ticket unlike the plebians paying not that much

IE need to refund reserved First Class fares in full if you're bumped in to standard class - which bus transfers would be - so its financially worth it more for them to run the Enterprise if at all possible.

musicfan

sugark wrote: »

Can I be greedy and say that in situations like this, the Port Tunnel should reduce its €12 toll to €3 to help ease the traffic congestion (I know, I'm dreaming...).

QUOTE]

Yes, sugark, you are dreaming but no this is not greedy - just common sense.

And in Ireland i.e. a world where the country (parts of it anyway!) come to a standstill just because a freight train derailed, common sense does not prevail.

Surely you don't expect our government, company leaders etc to think of things like reducing tolls to ease congestion or sister companies accepting other tickets????

Come on, it is IRELAND so lets charge commuters (who have already paid a small fortune for their ticket!) more money because the companies can make even more money from commuters misfortune!!!!

musicfan

MYOB wrote: »

Because they could be paying up to 70 quid for a single ticket unlike the plebians paying not that much

IE need to refund reserved First Class fares in full if you're bumped in to standard class - which bus transfers would be - so its financially worth it more for them to run the Enterprise if at all possible.

So they refund a person who maybe has spent only €70 in their lifetime to Irish Rail on one journey, but they don't care about the thousands of commuters who have spent thousands upon thousands of euros over the years they have commuted???

Why am I not surpised..............???

L1011

musicfan wrote: »

So they refund a person who maybe has spent only €70 in their lifetime to Irish Rail on one journey, but they don't care about the thousands of commuters who have spent thousands upon thousands of euros over the years they have commuted???

Why am I not surpised..............???

I'd say a lot of First+ Enterprise travellers do it with extreme regularity, but anyway....

John R

sugark wrote: »

Yay, a bit of common sense from Bus Eireann at last.

Pity they couldn't honour those for this evening too though...

Safe home everyone.

It is not a case of lack of common sense on Bus Eireann's part. They simply aren't going to accept passengers free of charge. IE have an arrangement with DB to accept rail tickets on occasions when IE have difficulties and authorise the procedure, (DB will no doubt charge IE for this) obviously they either don't have such an arrangement with BE or if one exists they did not authorise BE to do it.

Without proper authorisation there is no way BE drivers would accept passengers without valid tickets, that is the sort of thing that people get fired for.

I realise that all this is of no comfort to anyone who was left to their own devices today.

By all accounts it looks as if IE did not do nearly enough to accomodate the passengers left without a rail service. It would seem that they opted for hiring in coaches for Dundalk and Drogheda but unsurprisingly there simply isn't anything like the amount of available coaches+drivers hanging around at short notice to cover for the thousands of rail commuters. I would guess they left Balbriggan to Donabate passengers to be catered for by Dublin Bus despite the obvious chasm between the numbers of rail commuters and available space on DB services.

Anyone with IE season tickets who took BE services should keep the tickets and put in to IE for a refund, you are entitled to a refund on your monthly/annual for the cancellation of today's train services and should demand that it at least covers for the cost of alternative public transport.

cailinoBAC

Oh my God!! Why on earth did I think it was a good idea taking the train home this evening? Went for 1915. Cancelled. Are there any more trains to Drogheda this evening? 2010. Fine, went for something quick to eat. Then back. But no, sure let's cancel this one toow, might as well wait for the train coming up from Wexford. Ok, leaves at 2045, not too bad, you'd think.

Except for the fact that we were stuck between Portmarnock and Malahide for 2 hours. God, if we were stuck at a station at least people would have the option of getting off. And it there were trains stuck ahead, surely they knew this was going to happen before we even left Connolly? In hindsight, yes, it would have been a much better option to get the bus, but I really thought if they were running the trains they would be somewhat reasonable. Instead, Balbriggan at 2345. Fantastic.