[Article] First tracks laid for initial phase of reopening of Dublin-Navan rail line

IIMII

Irish Times, Saturday, October 31, 2009

THE FIRST tracks of phase one of the reopening of the Dublin-Navan railway line were laid yesterday.


The 7.5-km double-track line begins at Clonsilla where it will branch off from the Maynooth-Dublin line and ends at a park and ride facility at Pace near Dunboyne, Co Meath. The line is due to open next year.
The service will offer through trains from Pace, located beside the M3 motorway, via Clonsilla to the Docklands station in Dublin.
Trains will initially run half-hourly at peak times but this is expected to build to 15-minute intervals as demand increases. Offpeak services are initially to be hourly but this too may increase as demand rises.
Trains will comprise commuter rolling stock.
The reopening of the line will also facilitate the development of the Hansfield Strategic Development zone, which will feature a new railway station.
According to Iarnród Éireann design work has also commenced on phase two of the project, the section from Pace to Navan.
An application for a railway order for phase two is due to to be lodged in mid-2011, following public consultation with residents, landowners and interested parties along the route.
A preferred route that is mostly on the alignment of the old Navan rail line has been chosen.
The Clonsilla to Navan line was closed in 1963 and Dunboyne has not been been served by rail since 1947.
Under phase one a new Dunboyne station is to have a park and ride facility for up to 300 cars.
The re-opening of the line to Navan, as an electric railway, was initially due to have been completed by 2015, but it is expected there will be some slippage with this timing.
Speaking as he inspected the work yesterday, chairman of CIÉ Dr John Lynch said the company was “delighted at how well this key project is progressing and the laying of the first track is a significant milestone to rebuild and reopen the line . . . which will be enormous benefit to commuters in the wider Meath area and west Dublin”.
Separately the Railway Procurement Agency confirmed yesterday that the Luas extension to the Point will open in the first two weeks of December.
The extension from Connolly Station to the point will have stops at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and the Point.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/1031/1224257767757.html

IIMII

Sunday Tribune, October 25th 2009

HOPES for an early completion of the Navan rail line have received a boost with the news that Iarnrod Eireann has commenced with the design of the second phase of the line and is planning to lodge a railway order (planning permission) for the project mid-2011.


The first phase of the line between Clonsilla, in west Dublin, and Pace (near Dunboyne) is currently under construction. And now, following a process of public consultation and a feasibility study, the company has finalised the proposed route for the second part of the line that will extend the service to Navan.


The preferred route is mostly on the alignment of the old Navan railway line which closed in 1963. It is the most cost effective because the land alignment was protected by the local authority.


The 34km of double track on phase two of the project will incorporate four stations – Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan Town Centre and a terminus station at the north edge of Navan.


Meanwhile, Iarnrod Eireann announced yesterday that the Malahide viaduct, which collapsed dramatically at the end of August, will reopen ahead of schedule on 16 November.

http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/oct/25/navan-rail-line-set-to-be-ready-ahead-of-schedule/?q=navan%20rail

IIMII

Sunday Tribune wrote:

HOPES for an early completion of the Navan rail line have received a boost with the news that Iarnrod Eireann has commenced with the design of the second phase of the line and is planning to lodge a railway order (planning permission) for the project mid-2011.

is a little bit at odds with today's Irish Times:

The re-opening of the line to Navan, as an electric railway, was initially due to have been completed by 2015, but it is expected there will be some slippage with this timing.

The electric railway bit is interesting.....................! I take it that they aren't at all serious about extending it to Navan if they are doing that.

Election 2012 anyone?

serfboard

IIMII wrote: »

Election 2012 anyone?

Absolutely. Dempsey has to deliver to Pace by 2012. The rest can be kicked into the long grass ... and will be.

KC61

Navan was never to be electrified.

Pace may be as part of the Maynooth line electrification.

Nostradamus

KC61 wrote: »

Navan was never to be electrified.

Pace may be as part of the Maynooth line electrification.

The DART was to be extended to Navan. Won't happen either way now.

IIMII

Yeah, nothing in the kitty now. It'll be wheeled out regularly by the politicans though right up until 2012..

Anyway back to the section being built. It's moving along nicely, track has been ready for laying at Dunboyne for a while now. I think it will be open next year easily. How many months trial runs do they need to run again before passing a line for opening?

Just in relation to Navan - it wasn't supposed to be electrified. If they are electrifying Dunboyne, efforts at pretence for phase 2 to Navan are going to be threadbare as they cannot be serious about electrifying that under any circumstances. And if they are electrifying phase one, phase 2 can't be diesel.

SeanW

IIMII wrote: »

And if they are electrifying phase one, phase 2 can't be diesel.

Why not? My understanding is that the plan is for a DART like service to the M3 P&R, while Navan would get a Commuter service like Mullingar.

KC61

Can someone please point me to where in any official plans it was stated that the entire line to Navan was supposed to be electrified?

I always understood that to be diesel operated. However, provision was made for the line as far as Pace to possibly be included in the Maynooth line electrification, but nowhere have I ever seen that the entire Navan line was to be electric.

It would be perfectly possible for that mix of diesel and electric trains to work.

As for when it will open, it should open next year with a limited service. For the full service on both the Pace and Kildare routes to be implemented, the 17 extra 22000 sets will need to be delivered, and they are not due until 2011.

DWCommuter

KC61 wrote: »

Can someone please point me to where in any official plans it was stated that the entire line to Navan was supposed to be electrified?

I always understood that to be diesel operated. However, provision was made for the line as far as Pace to possibly be included in the Maynooth line electrification, but nowhere have I ever seen that the entire Navan line was to be electric.

It would be perfectly possible for that mix of diesel and electric trains to work.

As for when it will open, it should open next year with a limited service. For the full service on both the Pace and Kildare routes to be implemented, the 17 extra 22000 sets will need to be delivered, and they are not due until 2011.

I think the electrification issue derived from ABPs order that the M3 structures at Pace and Cannistown be built to accomodate future electrification. But then thats standard practice these days.

When the Navan railway finally reopens in 2115, it will involve two teleporter carriages. One in Dublin and one in Navan.

Beam me up Noel!

AlekSmart

Good to see the oul`concrete sleepers...that`s another fraud opportunity sorted

What`s doubly depressing is to see yet another Politician grasping madly for a Photo-Op as they attempt to peddle what in other civilized parts of Europe would be regarded as "Ordinary" public works.

This entire scheme hardly represents an Irish Millau Viaduct does it ?

Yet even now we see indecision leading the way in providing some 40Km of railway line....which probably has its roots in whatever sweetheart deal was negotiated between an tUasal Dempsey and the M3 Toll Road concession winners

serfboard

AlekSmart wrote: »

What`s doubly depressing is to see yet another Politician grasping madly for a Photo-Op as they attempt to peddle what in other civilized parts of Europe would be regarded as "Ordinary" public works.

How dare you say that! What we see is:

"Noel Dempsey: Delivering for Meath"




or some other such sh1te

IIMII

SeanW wrote: »

Why not? My understanding is that the plan is for a DART like service to the M3 P&R, while Navan would get a Commuter service like Mullingar.

Well, depending on who you listen to (and I listened to Dempsey (I know, I know) on it), all trains were to continue to Navan. Which they can't do if the are electric and the power cabling ends in Dunboyne

Aard

I was also under the impression that there wouldn't be DART all the way to Navan.

KC61

As far as I'm aware it was always going to be diesel (probably 29000) to/from Navan.

Chris_533976

As far as I'm aware any opening to Navan is political hot air, never mind the fact that there is no money available to do it.

IIMII

KC61 wrote: »

As far as I'm aware it was always going to be diesel (probably 29000) to/from Navan.

It was. But they had said that Dunboyne was to be diesel as well. No they are saying it will be electric. I know some guys working on the project - I'm going to ask if it is being built as Dart, as this is the first I've heard of it in a long time.

KC61

Pace will be built to the standards necessary to facilitate electrification, but will initially be diesel operated.

It may be upgraded as part of the Maynooth electrification.

AlekSmart

If things progress as they appear to be going then we are likely to see the return of Steam to our Railways long before any wires appear along this line

thomasj

KC61 wrote: »

Can someone please point me to where in any official plans it was stated that the entire line to Navan was supposed to be electrified?

I always understood that to be diesel operated. However, provision was made for the line as far as Pace to possibly be included in the Maynooth line electrification, but nowhere have I ever seen that the entire Navan line was to be electric.

It would be perfectly possible for that mix of diesel and electric trains to work.

As for when it will open, it should open next year with a limited service. For the full service on both the Pace and Kildare routes to be implemented, the 17 extra 22000 sets will need to be delivered, and they are not due until 2011.

i think that Reference of dart to navan refers back to the very first press conference on transport21 the launch i do recall the map was so confusing that it looked like the dart was going to navan.

I cant recall if there was specific reference to dart to navan in the transport 21 report but i am nearly sure i remember herding this in media reports in the first few days after transport 21 was launched.

Will see Can i find something on this !

Nostradamus

AlekSmart wrote: »

If things progress as they appear to be going then we are likely to see the return of Steam to our Railways long before any wires appear along this line

Bring back the Turf Burner!



Why was this never saved from the scapper? Where were the IRRS when something incredibly important needed to be saved (other than CIE managers jobs that is)

IIMII

KC61 wrote: »

Pace will be built to the standards necessary to facilitate electrification, but will initially be diesel operated.

It may be upgraded as part of the Maynooth electrification.

Yeah, sorry brain isn't working. They fecking Maynooth line isn't even DART yet so it can't be DART from the start, it'll have to be diesel.

IIMII

FIRST TRACK LAID ON DUNBOYNE M3 COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT
Press Release
30th October, 2009
Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey TD was joined by the Chairman of CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann Dr John Lynch to mark the first track being laid on the Dunboyne Commuter Railway at Hansfield Station.
Construction is well underway on the 7.5 kilometre double track rail line, which will branch off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla and terminate at the interchange with the M3 at Pace. A number of accommodation bridges are complete along the route, and upgrading works are continuing at Barnhill, Stirling and Dunboyne bridges.
The Royal Canal Bridge was lifted in to place in August of this year, providing a link from Clonsilla Station over the Royal Canal. Works are ongoing to each of the three stations along the route. The interchange at Pace has been substantially completed by the NRA/M3JV, providing two bridges for the Railway line and an access road into the station.
170 people are currently employed on the project, 350,000 construction man hours have been worked to date. 10,000m3 of concrete, 175,000 Tonnes of stone and 1,100 tonnes of steel have been used to date.
Service pattern upon opening will be half hourly at peak, and hourly off peak. This will build to greater frequency as demand increases.
Pace M3 station will 1,200 space car park, the largest park and ride facility in the country. There will be 300 spaces at Dunboyne. Hansfield is a developer led station, providing infrastructure for the Hansfield strategic development zone (SDZ).
The service is set to commence in 2010 and will be operated by Commuter Rolling stock. All services will terminate to Docklands Station. Initially the frequency of the service will be at 30 minute intervals at peak periods, as demand increases this will expand to 15 minute intervals at peak times. Off-peak services will be hourly.
The Clonsilla to Navan line was closed in 1963. Dunboyne has not been served by rail since 1947 when the station closed.
Further Developments on Phase 2 of the Navan Line
Iarnród Éireann has commenced design on Phase 2 of the Navan Railway line from Pace to Navan. A Railway order will be lodged in the middle of 2011 for the project. Following public consultation with residents, landowners and stakeholders and the preparation of a feasibility study a proposed route has been chosen.
The development and construction of the line is a key part of the Government-funded Transport 21 programme. The project involves the extension of the currently under construction Phase 1 Navan Railway line between Clonsilla and Pace to the north edge of Navan. The preferred route is mostly on the alignment of the old Navan Railway line.
Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D said: “this investment represents the latest phase of the Transport 21 programme, and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to bringing quality public transport to our communities. From an economic and environmental point of view, not to mention quality of life to commuters, the Dunboyne line will be a very significant addition to our public transport network, and we look forward to the delivery of phase 2 of the Meath Commuter rail investment, to Navan.”
Chairman of CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann, Dr. John Lynch said: for “we are delighted at how well this key project is progressing and the laying of the first track is a significant milestone to rebuild and reopen the line from Clonsilla to Dunboyne which is the 1st phase of the Navan Railway line reopening, which will be enormous benefit to commuters in the wider Meath area and West Dublin”

http://www.noeldempsey.ie/index.php/national/first-track-laid-on-dunboyne-m3-commuter-rail-project

Judgement Day

Nostradamus wrote: »

Bring back the Turf Burner!



Why was this never saved from the scapper? Where were the IRRS when something incredibly important needed to be saved (other than CIE managers jobs that is)

Same reason that virtually nothing else has been preserved - Irish people like to talk about preserving things rather than getting off their backsides and doing something about it. Combine that lethargy with official apathy and you get where we are today. Anyway the fossils IRRS saved the whistle from the turfburner so what are you giving out about?

Propellerhead

Nostradamus wrote: »

Bring back the Turf Burner!



Why was this never saved from the scapper? Where were the IRRS when something incredibly important needed to be saved (other than CIE managers jobs that is)

Too busy diligently recording the scrapping of locomotives and the closing of lines in a sadly matter of fact way in the Journal. The Journals recording the closure of the Howth tram and the Harcourt Street line are particularly dismal reading. Only from the 80's onwards was there even the slightest hint of indignation permitted.

Nostradamus

Propellerhead wrote: »

Only from the 80's onwards was there even the slightest hint of indignation permitted.

I joined them back in 2001 when I was living in Dublin during the week and away from home and needed something to do which did not involved pubs or take-aways. I went there a couple of times before I got the impression that it was an old club for former CIE lower-level managers and supervisiors. Nobody was really very friendly and the whole thing with the little boy coming around with the tea trolley was like something from the 1890's. I think I went to a pole dancing club after the second visit just to get the vibe of the place out of my system.

The wife was more angry at me for joining the IRRS than shoving fivers down some latvian's knickers.

Judgement Day

Nostradamus you haven't lived - I was a member when the IRRS was out in the then semi-derelict station at Drumcondra and I can tell you the new 'club' at Heuston is like a Rave compared to that! Let's face it they have to keep warm somewhere and at least it stops them from dossing down outside the Customs House. Like you I needed somewhere to go that wasn't a pub and there weren't any lap dancing clubs back in the late 70's! It took me a while (twenty years) to get it out of my system and by the end it had driven me back into the pubs!

munchkin_utd

Any word on the progress on the line to Pace/ Dunboyne? Any idea of the planned opening date?

There seems to be a lot of news & rumours on the many roads projects across the country underway but its very quiet about here on this project.

bg07

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Any word on the progress on the line to Pace/ Dunboyne? Any idea of the planned opening date?

There seems to be a lot of news & rumours on the many roads projects across the country underway but its very quiet about here on this project.

I recently emailed IE about an approximate date for the phase 1 opening and the lodging of the phase 2 railway order and this is what they got back with:-

Irish Rail wrote:

Dear XXXX,

Dunboyne Line will open towards the end of this year.

We anticipate lodging Navan Rail Order next year.

Regards,

KC61

Some pics of the ongoing work are at are at:
http://irnirishrailwaynews.yuku.com/sreply/37988/t/Dunboyne-Relay.html

Also there are photos of the ongoing work included in the following links:

Pace:
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/P/Pace/A&Bindex.html

Dunboyne:
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/D/Dunboyne/A&Bindex.html

Hansfield:
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/H/Hansfield/A&Bindex.html

Clonsilla:
http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/C/Clonsilla/A&Bindex.html

munchkin_utd

and just to confirm another aspect...
It is planned, isnt it, that 100%, that every single service on this route will end up in the Docklands station?

The current bus service from Navan/ Kells/ Cavan/ Dunshaughlin disgorges the vast majority of the passengers on O Connell St, which would suggest to me that a service to the Docklands wouldn't be something that the masses will adopt with open arms.
Or has CIE some other research to suggest that a rail service to Sheriff St will be packed to the rafters with paying customers, whilst CIE busses still provide a parallel route direct to the CENTRE of Dublin?

KC61

munchkin_utd wrote: »

and just to confirm another aspect...
It is planned, isnt it, that 100%, that every single service on this route will end up in the Docklands station?

The current bus service from Navan/ Kells/ Cavan/ Dunshaughlin disgorges the vast majority of the passengers on O Connell St, which would suggest to me that a service to the Docklands wouldn't be something that the masses will adopt with open arms.
Or has CIE some other research to suggest that a rail service to Sheriff St will be packed to the rafters with paying customers, whilst CIE busses still provide a parallel route direct to the CENTRE of Dublin?

Not necessarily - some may go to Connolly - it will depend on the availability of slots.

monument

munchkin_utd wrote: »

and just to confirm another aspect...
It is planned, isnt it, that 100%, that every single service on this route will end up in the Docklands station?

The current bus service from Navan/ Kells/ Cavan/ Dunshaughlin disgorges the vast majority of the passengers on O Connell St, which would suggest to me that a service to the Docklands wouldn't be something that the masses will adopt with open arms.
Or has CIE some other research to suggest that a rail service to Sheriff St will be packed to the rafters with paying customers, whilst CIE busses still provide a parallel route direct to the CENTRE of Dublin?

Under wider plans to extend the Dart, as per Rail Users Ireland's website:

I live in Dunboyne what's in it for me ? The closed Clonsilla Navan line will be reopened as far as where it intersects with the N3/Proposed M3. Stations will be provided at Hansfield and Dunboyne. The line will be electrified to DART standards and 4 trains an hour will be provided joining the existing Maynooth line at Clonsilla and running onto Bray/Greystones via Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse.


Passengers for Howth/Malahide/Drogheda/Kildare/Heuston/St Stephen's Green (for Luas Green line/Metro) should change at Pearse. Passengers for Belfast, Sligo and Rosslare intercity services as well as Luas Red line can change at Connolly. Passengers for Metro may change at Drumcondra and for Metro West at Porterstown.

munchkin_utd

KC61 wrote: »

Not necessarily - some may go to Connolly - it will depend on the availability of slots.

from the government's Transport 21 website: (I knew I read the docklands thing being mentioned somewhere!!)

The first phase of this project involves reopening 7.5km of railway line running off the Maynooth line, at Clonsilla, to the M3 interchange at Pace, north of Dunboyne. Three stations are proposed on this route at Hansfield, Dunboyne and Pace. Park and Ride facilities comprising 1200 spaces will be provided at Pace whilst a 300 space car park will be opened at the proposed Dunboyne Station. This phase of the project will allow 15-minute peak hour frequency commuter services into Docklands Station in Dublin city centre and a 30-minute frequency off-peak.

http://www.transport21.ie/Projects/Heavy_Rail/Navan_Rail_Line.html

Every 15 minutes from a Park and Ride BEHIND a toll booth, with services to the retail and business epicentre of Dublin, otherwise known as Sheriff St.!!
What an attractive commuter service!

You actually wouldn't need any extra slots at connolly than at present if you wanted to run there rather than Docklands.
If the will was there, the existing Maynooth service could be split at Clonsilla, one railcar unit to Maynooth and the other to Dunboyne/ Pace, joining again on the way back into town and arriving as one train into Connolly.

Its already being implemented on the Heuston - Galway/ Westport routes so they will already have a compensation packet of thousands of euros per employee formulated with which to bribe the unions into agreement with this novel idea.

KC61

It's one thing joining/splitting trains in an area where there are few other trains operating, but it is a hell of a different thing doing it in the rush hour - a complete non-starter I would say, given the station stop is 4 minutes to allow for splitting/joining as opposed to the normal 30 seconds/1 minute.

I am well aware of what T21 says, but it may well be that peak hour services go to Docklands and off-peak to Connolly. There is nothing to stop someone getting off at Clonsilla and changing trains of course.

dowlingm

Navan will probably be done on the cheap, but wouldn't it be nice for us to show a bit of ambition and buy a few of the Bombardier B81500s operating for SNCF TER or similar diesel/1.5kVDC, where a train could leave Connolly as electric, lower the pantograph at Clonsilla or Pace and keep going to Navan as diesel with similar service to Mullingar and Longford after Maynooth?



Certainly wouldn't hurt inner Dublin air quality given the overhead would already exist for the DART extension and the higher power output in the electric mode would help keep better spacing with DARTs.

Instead the line will probably get 29Ks displaced from Kildare or something. Oh well.

munchkin_utd

found a wee bit more from Irish Rail via Joan Burton's website.

According to Iarnrod Eireann:
<snip>
The service is set to commence in 2010 and will be operated by Commuter Rolling stock. All services will terminate to Docklands Station. Initially the frequency of the service will be at 30 minute intervals at peak periods, as demand increases this will expand to 15 minute intervals at peak times. Off-peak services will be hourly.

http://www.joanburton.ie/?postid=990

To be fair, the no. 151 bus runs every 15 minutes from Docklands Station to the city centre proper, so even with the change you'd still be "in town" quicker than by the current Dublin Bus/ Bus Eireann offerings.
http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/151/

BTW. there's hardly any indications at this stage what if anything Bus Eireann are planning with regards to the station and possible connections to Navan/ beyond?
If I remember right, there are bus stops planned at the Pace station all right.

KC61

munchkin_utd wrote: »

found a wee bit more from Irish Rail via Joan Burton's website.


http://www.joanburton.ie/?postid=990

To be fair, the no. 151 bus runs every 15 minutes from Docklands Station to the city centre proper, so even with the change you'd still be "in town" quicker than by the current Dublin Bus/ Bus Eireann offerings.
http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/151/

BTW. there's hardly any indications at this stage what if anything Bus Eireann are planning with regards to the station and possible connections to Navan/ beyond?
If I remember right, there are bus stops planned at the Pace station all right.

To be honest, knowing the way Irish Rail schedules are developed, this probably has not been examined in detail yet. Just because a plan broadly says something or a politician says it does not mean that it will be implemented rigidly according to that statement.

It is eminently plausible that all services after 7pm for example may operate to/from Connolly as the capacity exists to operate them that way.

You are asking something that will not have been planned in detail yet - schedules only develop in the months before services start - that is the way IE works.

Transportuser09

Nostradamus wrote: »

Bring back the Turf Burner!



Why was this never saved from the scapper? Where were the IRRS when something incredibly important needed to be saved (other than CIE managers jobs that is)

I don't think the IRRS has a remit to preserve actual vehicles. It more records (Record Society) and collects small relics, photos, etc... Anyway, its not really fair to say a group should have preserved something, where would they have got the money, etc...

lord lucan

First Loco over the line as far as Dunboyne today. There's a pic here:http://irnirishrailwaynews.yuku.com/topic/1382/t/Dunboyne-Relay.html?page=3

FlameoftheWest

lord lucan wrote: »

First Loco over the line as far as Dunboyne today. There's a pic here:http://irnirishrailwaynews.yuku.com/topic/1382/t/Dunboyne-Relay.html?page=3

When was the last time a train went to Dunboyne?

KC61

FlameoftheWest wrote: »

When was the last time a train went to Dunboyne?

1963

JHMEG

KC61 wrote: »

1963

1963 is nearly always the answer to "when was the last train to" type questions.

Any chance I wonder that the timetables will be done in such a way that the Navan and Maynooth trains will sync up so that journeys to Leixlip say from Dunboyne will be possible?

Of course in other countries you'd assume they would, but for some reason in Ireland the assumption is always that trains won't meet.

lord lucan

JHMEG wrote: »

1963 is nearly always the answer to "when was the last train to" type questions.

Any chance I wonder that the timetables will be done in such a way that the Navan and Maynooth trains will sync up so that journeys to Leixlip say from Dunboyne will be possible?

Of course in other countries you'd assume they would, but for some reason in Ireland the assumption is always that trains won't meet.

Line closed in 1963,though Dunboyne station closed to traffic in 1947 iirc.

You'd imagine there'd be some sort of schedule enabling someone travelling from say Dunboyne heading to Maynooth that would allow for a reasonable connection at Clonsilla but i'm not going to get my hopes up.

JHMEG

lord lucan wrote: »

You'd imagine there'd be some sort of schedule enabling someone travelling from say Dunboyne heading to Maynooth that would allow for a reasonable connection at Clonsilla but i'm not going to get my hopes up.

The Maynooth commuter and Sligo Intercity don't sync up in Maynooth, with waits of typically 60 mins.

KC61

JHMEG wrote: »

The Maynooth commuter and Sligo Intercity don't sync up in Maynooth, with waits of typically 60 mins.

While the connections at Maynooth are far from ideal, the connection times are certainly not as bad as you paint it, with no wait of 60 minutes:

Out of 8 Intercity services westbound, four have a wait of 15 minutes or less, one is just over 20 minutes, while the other three are between 35 and 40 minutes (certainly not good scheduling).

Out of the 8 eastbound services, 3 have a wait of 5 minutes, two have a 15 minute wait, two have a wait of 20 minutes, and one has a 30 minute wait.

No weekday service has a 60 minute connection.

On Sundays all 6 eastbound services have a wait of 5 minutes, and five out of the six westbound services have 5 minute connections.

The first westbound Sunday service has no connection.

bg07

Meath Chronicle Link

€15.5m funding clears way for new Navan rail service
by Ann Casey
First train to Dunboyne in September

Commuter trains could be travelling back and forth from Navan in as little as five years' time, as funding has been secured to prepare a railway order for the Navan to Dublin rail line.

As Iarnrod Eireann prepares to open the Dublin to Dunboyne link to commuter traffic next September, work will now begin on preparing the railway order for the extension of the line to Navan.

Iarnrod Eireann has secured €15.5 million for the preparation of a railway order (effectively planning permission) for the Dunboyne to Navan line along a route which will travel west of Dunshaughlin.

Meanwhile the 7.5km rail link to Dunboyne will open in September, just three months behind schedule. A new park and ride facility at Pace, close to the M3, which is currently being built, will cater for 1,200 cars.

A spokesperson for CIE said this week that the railway order would be made by mid-2011 and the railway line was scheduled for completion in 2015, subject to the phasing of funding.

Concern has been expressed in the Ashbourne and Ratoath areas that the preferred route to the east of Dunshaughlin, which was put forward by Meath County Council, had been rejected by the rail company.

At a meeting of the council on Monday, there was a broad welcome for the news and, while councillors in the south of the county wanted to continue effort to convince CIE to change its mind on the route, there were warnings from many not to jeopardise the current opportunity. There were also calls from councillors in north Meath to extend the rail link to the Cavan border.

Councillors heard that director of services, Michael Killeen, who was liaison officer for the council on the Dunboyne rail link, would remain in that capacity for the Navan phase of the line.

Cllr Nick Killian said the council had proposed a route to the east of Dunshaughlin as the vast majority of the people of the Dunshaughlin area lived there, while Cllr Brian Fitzgerald said there was no option but to write to the Department of Transport pointing out that this route was in complete conflict with what had been proposed by the council. Cllr Tommy Reilly said he understood Cllr Fitzgerald's concerns but it would cost an extra €100 to €150 million to bring it to the east of Dunshaughlin.

Cllr Shane Cassells said there could be no hurdles put in the way of developing the Navan-Dubin railway line. "The letter from Irish Rail to Meath County Council is clear as far as the preferred rail corridor is concerned. This initiative is all about providing a transport solution for the town of Navan and other politicians should not try and influence the route for commercial gain elsewhere.

"I am delighted that funding has been received to commence works on the preparation of the railway order to extend the line from Dunboyne to Navan. It shows that the realisation of the dream of a rail service from Navan to Dublin is getting closer and we can focus on preparing the way for this," he said.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Joe Reilly, said it was a key piece of infrastructure for the town of Navan and was very important that the business community and people of the town got behind it.

"I am delighted with this announcement and there are a number of meetings planned for the next few weeks to progress this," he said.

Dunboyne Cllr Noel Leonard produced a photograph of an engine travelling along the new line to Dunboyne which was taken early last week. It was the first train to travel to Dunboyne since the old line closed in 1963.

He recalled that, in 1997, he had predicted trains would travel to Dunboyne in 2009, and he was just 60 days out.

"The opening of the Dunboyne train line will be hugely significant for Dunboyne people, particularly as some people believed it would never happen since the downturn in the economy. I am delighted also for people in the surrounding area who experience the challenges and pressures of getting to and from work/college every day and who will be able to use the park and ride facility at Pace."

The progress was welcomed also by Cllr Bryan Reilly who called for the line to be extended to the Cavan border and Cllr Oliver Fox also called for its extension to north Meath.

Deputy Mary Wallace welcomed the developments and said she had been focused on this project over many years to ensure that there was a real alternative for Meath commuters. "I am looking forward to seeing the first passenger train in Dunboyne in September. I have no doubt that this railway line will improve the quality of life of people in Dunboyne and surrounding areas," she said.[/QUOTE]

Colm R

bg07 wrote: »

Meath Chronicle Link

€15.5m funding clears way for new Navan rail service
by Ann Casey
First train to Dunboyne in September

Commuter trains could be travelling back and forth from Navan in as little as five years' time, as funding has been secured to prepare a railway order for the Navan to Dublin rail line.

As Iarnrod Eireann prepares to open the Dublin to Dunboyne link to commuter traffic next September, work will now begin on preparing the railway order for the extension of the line to Navan.

Iarnrod Eireann has secured €15.5 million for the preparation of a railway order (effectively planning permission) for the Dunboyne to Navan line along a route which will travel west of Dunshaughlin.

Meanwhile the 7.5km rail link to Dunboyne will open in September, just three months behind schedule. A new park and ride facility at Pace, close to the M3, which is currently being built, will cater for 1,200 cars.

A spokesperson for CIE said this week that the railway order would be made by mid-2011 and the railway line was scheduled for completion in 2015, subject to the phasing of funding.

Concern has been expressed in the Ashbourne and Ratoath areas that the preferred route to the east of Dunshaughlin, which was put forward by Meath County Council, had been rejected by the rail company.

At a meeting of the council on Monday, there was a broad welcome for the news and, while councillors in the south of the county wanted to continue effort to convince CIE to change its mind on the route, there were warnings from many not to jeopardise the current opportunity. There were also calls from councillors in north Meath to extend the rail link to the Cavan border.

Councillors heard that director of services, Michael Killeen, who was liaison officer for the council on the Dunboyne rail link, would remain in that capacity for the Navan phase of the line.

Cllr Nick Killian said the council had proposed a route to the east of Dunshaughlin as the vast majority of the people of the Dunshaughlin area lived there, while Cllr Brian Fitzgerald said there was no option but to write to the Department of Transport pointing out that this route was in complete conflict with what had been proposed by the council. Cllr Tommy Reilly said he understood Cllr Fitzgerald's concerns but it would cost an extra €100 to €150 million to bring it to the east of Dunshaughlin.

Cllr Shane Cassells said there could be no hurdles put in the way of developing the Navan-Dubin railway line. "The letter from Irish Rail to Meath County Council is clear as far as the preferred rail corridor is concerned. This initiative is all about providing a transport solution for the town of Navan and other politicians should not try and influence the route for commercial gain elsewhere.

"I am delighted that funding has been received to commence works on the preparation of the railway order to extend the line from Dunboyne to Navan. It shows that the realisation of the dream of a rail service from Navan to Dublin is getting closer and we can focus on preparing the way for this," he said.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Joe Reilly, said it was a key piece of infrastructure for the town of Navan and was very important that the business community and people of the town got behind it.

"I am delighted with this announcement and there are a number of meetings planned for the next few weeks to progress this," he said.

Dunboyne Cllr Noel Leonard produced a photograph of an engine travelling along the new line to Dunboyne which was taken early last week. It was the first train to travel to Dunboyne since the old line closed in 1963.

He recalled that, in 1997, he had predicted trains would travel to Dunboyne in 2009, and he was just 60 days out.

"The opening of the Dunboyne train line will be hugely significant for Dunboyne people, particularly as some people believed it would never happen since the downturn in the economy. I am delighted also for people in the surrounding area who experience the challenges and pressures of getting to and from work/college every day and who will be able to use the park and ride facility at Pace."

The progress was welcomed also by Cllr Bryan Reilly who called for the line to be extended to the Cavan border and Cllr Oliver Fox also called for its extension to north Meath.

Deputy Mary Wallace welcomed the developments and said she had been focused on this project over many years to ensure that there was a real alternative for Meath commuters. "I am looking forward to seeing the first passenger train in Dunboyne in September. I have no doubt that this railway line will improve the quality of life of people in Dunboyne and surrounding areas," she said.

[/QUOTE]

Groundhog Day

DWCommuter

Iarnrod Eireann has secured €15.5 million for the preparation of a railway order (effectively planning permission) for the Dunboyne to Navan line along a route which will travel west of Dunshaughlin.

That's €15.5 million down the swanny anyway.

Cllr Nick Killian said the council had proposed a route to the east of Dunshaughlin as the vast majority of the people of the Dunshaughlin area lived there,

What a pity then that MCC didn't develop the town to the west side near the rail alignment, considering they apparently supported its reopening since the early 90s.

Cllr Shane Cassells said there could be no hurdles put in the way of developing the Navan-Dubin railway line.

Bit late Shane. MCCs indifference to the rail alignment has added millions upon millions to the cost of reopening. Check out the "grand canyon" near Navan or the new road embankments slapped across the line in the last two years! All M3 related.

A spokesperson for CIE said this week that the railway order would be made by mid-2011 and the railway line was scheduled for completion in 2015, subject to the phasing of funding.

Ah thats more like true form.

Whatever about PPPs for Metro North and the interconnector, I still fail to see where the money will come from for this line. Even in the good times nearly €500 million scared the living ****e out of the DOT. But just like those other projects the "pittance" costs are continuing to roll out in order to cover the T21 ass from over exposure to reality.

Navan line? Not a hope.

foggy_lad

KC61 wrote: »

While the connections at Maynooth are far from ideal, the connection times are certainly not as bad as you paint it, with no wait of 60 minutes:

Out of 8 Intercity services westbound, four have a wait of 15 minutes or less, one is just over 20 minutes, while the other three are between 35 and 40 minutes (certainly not good scheduling).

Out of the 8 eastbound services, 3 have a wait of 5 minutes, two have a 15 minute wait, two have a wait of 20 minutes, and one has a 30 minute wait.

No weekday service has a 60 minute connection.

On Sundays all 6 eastbound services have a wait of 5 minutes, and five out of the six westbound services have 5 minute connections.

The first westbound Sunday service has no connection.

this is assuming that trains are running to schedule which rarely happens so waiting times of 60minutes or more are certainly not impossible.

JHMEG

KC61 wrote: »

While the connections at Maynooth are far from ideal, the connection times are certainly not as bad as you paint it, with no wait of 60 minutes

It seems to have improved since I wrote to the minister about it, but 30 minute waits are still common. Considering most stops are less than 30 minutes from Maynooth it's very annoying to have to spend more time waiting than travelling.