New train service Dublin 15

Murt10

Anyone any idea of when the new stations will be opening in Ongar and Dunboyne?

Is CIE going to supply additional trains for the new track and stations or will they just use the existing ones?

Will the new stations only go into docklands or will thery serve both Docklands and Connolly?

Besides being more crowded for existing users, can they look forward to a better and more frequent service?

On the downside for Dublin 15 motorist, a more frequent trains will mean more level crossing closures. Given that we often have to wait 5 - 10 mins for a train to go through after the gate has been closed, a new service has the potential to tie the road traffic in the area up in worse knots than it already is.



Murt

Nevyn

Can't see it happening until the Dart under ground project is up and running and they get around to electrfying the maynooth line, so it could be 5 years +.

TheChrisD

Murt10 wrote: »

Anyone any idea of when the new stations will be opening in Ongar and Dunboyne?

October/November methinks?

Murt10

Thaedydal wrote: »

Can't see it happening until the Dart under ground project is up and running and they get around to electrfying the maynooth line, so it could be 5 years +.

No. From the look of them they are ready to go immediately.

Nevyn

Really?
Was up by the ongar station about 3 weeks ago and it was still a construction site.

Polar101

From IE's site:
http://www.irishrail.ie/projects/dunboyne_faq.asp

Q. WHEN WILL THE DUNBOYNE M3 COMMUTER RAIL LINE BE IN USE?

A.It is expected that trains will be running in 2010.

Q. WHAT KIND OF TRAINS WILL RUN AND HOW OFTEN?

A. Commuter trains; technically known as Diesel Multiple units (DMU's) will operate the service. These are used extensively on our network and have a proven track record for comfort and reliability.

It is intended to commence the service by running 15-minute morning and evening peak hour commuter services, and 30-minute off peak services. However, this will be subject to demand. The work will also allow for the future extension of DART electrification on the line.


---

Doesn't really look like it's been updated for ages, though.

Bookkeeper09

I live in the estate just beside the Ongar train stateion (Barnwell)
The station was initially supposed to open around August/September but apparently the builders are delaying this due to the low level of occupancy in the barnwell estate.
As far as I know it was up to the builders to provide access to the station which looks like its far from ready.
The station in Dunboyne looks like its almost ready.
Not sure if ther will be additional trains on the line when it does eventually open or whether there will be less trains going between clonsilla and Maynooth and some going from Clonsilla and out the new train line

thomasj

Irish rail have today announced on their website minor delays to services on the maynooth/clonsilla/longford/sligo line from monday until further notice due to commissioning works on the new line.

The same notice states the new line is expected to open in september.

Godge

I don't know where I heard it but the original plan was for the trains from the Docklands that terminate at Clonsilla to be extended to Pace. No extra trains for the service but possibly some extra carriages.

thomasj

Nah i heard the existing peak hour clonsilla trains will be extended,to pace nd off peak services will be introduced. Actually, irish rail said that at joan burtons local transport meeting

thomasj

Here are some details from the meeting
http://www.railusers.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=12333

Polar101

Bookkeeper09 wrote: »

The station was initially supposed to open around August/September but apparently the builders are delaying this due to the low level of occupancy in the barnwell estate.

That sounds a bit odd - you'd think a good way to sell more houses in the estate would be to have a train service ready, rather than the usual "Opening Soon" you see in too many places around the country.

Bookkeeper09

You would think!!
I also noticed yesterday that the Iarnrod Eireann sign that was outside the estate has now been taken down!

Nevyn

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0726/breaking11.html

The Government has announced a six-year €39.43 billion revised capital investment programme today.

...

Metro North and the €2.5 billion Dart underground project are to proceed, but rail links from Dublin to Navan and from Tuam to Claremorris will be put on hold.

Thread about it in the commuting and transport forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055980429

Bookkeeper09

I presumed that that article related to extending the train line from Dunboyne to Navan and not from Clonsilla to Dunboyne where the stations are already built?? Surely it makes no sense to have the stations at Hansfield and Dunboyne fully built(with the exception of an access raod at Hansfield) and sitting idle for the next few years??

thomasj

Yep it is. Its phase 2 thats being postphoned. Phase 1 is due to open in september (according to ie)

Bookkeeper09

That makes a bit more sense, but there hasnt been any work in the last few weeks near where the access road is to be built so I would say September is being a bit optimistic.
I have emailed the Manorpark site office to see if anyone there can shed any light! Will post any info I get....(altho Im not that hopeful!)

thomasj

I think its possible the new line may open without hansfield in september

Flimbos

It seems the only thing holding up the Hansfield station is Manor Park's reluctance to complete the access road, i.e. the station itself is more or less complete, but the access is through the developer's land so Irish Rail's hands are tied.

Local residents should continue to write to Irish Rail and local politicians to try to get this sorted out. It just seems like an awful waste to have a new station sitting there, are Irish Rail pressing Manor Park on this?

ongarboy

thomasj wrote: »

I think its possible the new line may open without hansfield in september

What???? I would go mad if this happened as I use the train into town from Clonsilla every day for work and have been looking forward to the Hansfield opening for several years now as it would cut my walk to the station from 20 to 5 mins in the morning. Surely, they can at least input a temporary footpath if not a full serviced road so that foot passengers can use the new station. Surely Irish Rail would sue Manor Park Homes for not creating the public access after IR have spent millions on the station.

Yes, everyone who has an interest in this, please ensure you contact your local D15 politican demanding clarification/pressure on this.

thomasj

thomasj wrote: »

I think its possible the new line may open without hansfield in september

My suspicions were correct!

September opening, now announced on Irish rail website but hansfield will not open until road is open

ongarboy

am not happy. I sent an email request to Leo Varadkar to get clarification on when Hansfield would open and in fairness, he responded quickly to say he would check it out. (i'll pass any news I get on here)I feel sorry for those who bought in Barnwell/Hansfield who bought their properties with the promise from the developers that the station would be on their doorsteps this summer/autumn. For once, Irish Rail have been the ones who got their bit done on time- it's the developers who are dragging their heels.

Pat Dunne

Truly amazing, we have a station at Phoenix Park at which almost no one gets on or off.

Now we will have a station which the people want to use but can't.

Gombeen Ireland is alive and well in the 21st century.

Nevyn

Given the cost of parking at that station it's no wonder people don't use it.

thomasj

I've seen quiet a few people use the station and car park generally gaa matchdays a good few people got off at it on Wednesday night after the match

Again Phoenix park is a station built for a development hence the name of it and confusion it causes

It was quiet ironic to hear them talk about the possibility of opening the station before the others last year at the transport meeting given the mess it is now

wapnote

The train line to Clonee will be opening on September 1. Three new stations have been built: Ongar, Dunboyne and Clonee. Have just heard that even though the Ongar station has been built the train won't be stopping there for at least a few more months because of a dispute with a developer as to who is responsible for building the road TO the station...

KC61

Services to/from Pace will start in September (bypassing Hansfield due to no road access).

Bookkeeper09

Yeah is a bloody joke!
I have sent numerous emails to the developer but havent gotten any replies.
Advertisement is still outside estate for houses "with their own train station in Summer 2010"

Polar101

Not too happy with this, since I'd be using the Hansfield station. How long can building a short road take? Does anyone know when the Hansfield station is due to open?

spooky donkey

i think hansfield is ready to go only there is no road into it so it cant open. Least thats what i read in the paper yesterday.

thomasj

wapnote wrote: »

The train line to Clonee will be opening on September 1. Three new stations have been built: Ongar, Dunboyne and Clonee. Have just heard that even though the Ongar station has been built the train won't be stopping there for at least a few more months because of a dispute with a developer as to who is responsible for building the road TO the station...

Where did you hear September 1st as the opening date?

monument

The official opening of the line (but not Hansfield Station) is expected on Thursday September 2, with full service the next day on Friday September 3.

Source: Irish Rail, today.

thomasj

Has the new timetable come out yet?

thomasj

Connolly/docklands-Clonsilla portion of new timetable out and believe it or not it would seem according to new timetable that most trains will run nonstop between Clonsilla and the city

Pat Dunne

Just looked at the new time table http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Maynooth%2010-2.pdf it would appear that all outward bound trains from Docklands will be non-stop to Clonsilla. Trains inward bound from M3-Parkway and Dunboyne will stop at Clonsilla, Coolmine, Castleknock, Phoenix Park, Ashtown and then non-stop to Docklands.

This could make morning times at Clonsilla Station very interesting. As passengers travelling on the Dunboyne line will more than likely get off at Clonsilla, so as to be able to travel to Drumcondra, Connolly, Tara St and Pearse.

Zaph

Pat Dunne wrote: »

Just looked at the new time table http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Maynooth%2010-2.pdf it would appear that all outward bound trains from Docklands will be non-stop to Clonsilla.

Actually the trains from 4.30-7.25pm will be stopping everywhere except for Broombridge, for some reason.

TheChrisD

Pat Dunne wrote: »

Just looked at the new time table http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Maynooth%2010-2.pdf it would appear that all outward bound trains from Docklands will be non-stop to Clonsilla. Trains inward bound from M3-Parkway and Dunboyne will stop at Clonsilla, Coolmine, Castleknock, Phoenix Park, Ashtown and then non-stop to Docklands.

WHAT?!?! Are they bloody serious? Not stopping at Drumcondra? That makes the train bloody useless to me, as I would've used it to get from Dunboyne to Drumcondra to get to college in DCU...

Zaph

TheChrisD wrote: »

WHAT?!?! Are they bloody serious? Not stopping at Drumcondra? That makes the train bloody useless to me, as I would've used it to get from Dunboyne to Drumcondra to get to college in DCU...

Trains to and from Docklands don't go through Drumcondra. The turnoff to Docklands is before Drumcondra as you're heading into town.

TheChrisD

Zaph wrote: »

Trains to and from Docklands don't go through Drumcondra. The turnoff to Docklands is before Drumcondra as you're heading into town.

Then I suppose that the real question is, why the hell are these trains going to Docklands?!?!

Zaph

TheChrisD wrote: »

Then I suppose that the real question is, why the hell are these trains going to Docklands?!?!

Because a lot of people work there and use them to commute in and out of town daily. Opening the Docklands station has also alleviated some of the pressure on Connolly as it's restricted to how many train movements can go through there each hour.

TheChrisD

Zaph wrote: »

Because a lot of people work there and use them to commute in and out of town daily. Opening the Docklands station has also alleviated some of the pressure on Connolly as it's restricted to how many train movements can go through there each hour.

And yet they put the trains that serve a subset of people on those lines to the overflow station... Yea, great logic there :pac:

I wouldn't have issues with it if it wasn't for the fact that EVERY Dunboyne train goes to Docklands. If it were mixed so that half of them went to Docklands, and half to Connolly, I wouldn't have any problems. It would just be a minor inconvenience, rather than the entire line being a hassle.

Zaph

TheChrisD wrote: »

And yet they put the trains that serve a subset of people on those lines to the overflow station... Yea, great logic there :pac:

I wouldn't have issues with it if it wasn't for the fact that EVERY Dunboyne train goes to Docklands. If it were mixed so that half of them went to Docklands, and half to Connolly, I wouldn't have any problems. It would just be a minor inconvenience, rather than the entire line being a hassle.

All the trains to Connolly originate, or at least go though Maynooth. Clonsilla to Docklands is effectively a route in itself that shares the same track, and that route is now being extended to Dunboyne. I understand your point that every train from Dunboyne is to Docklands, but that's what the route is. The logistics of changing that one route are far more straightforward than trying to juggle two as I'm sure it's not just as simple as diverting some trains to Dunboyne rather than Maynooth and beyond. In addition, both routes serve the city centre, where the majority of commuters would be travelling to. The numbers going from Dunboyne to Drumcondra would, in all likelihood, be quite small and if the demand isn't there unfortunately those who do actually wish to travel between the two will be inconvenienced.

thomasj

TheChrisD wrote: »

WHAT?!?! Are they bloody serious? Not stopping at Drumcondra? That makes the train bloody useless to me, as I would've used it to get from Dunboyne to Drumcondra to get to college in DCU...

Don't forget the Clonsilla interchange is there for you to board an inbound maynooth train

KC61

TheChrisD wrote: »

Then I suppose that the real question is, why the hell are these trains going to Docklands?!?!

Because there is no capacity in Connolly to cope with additional trains - every train that comes in from Drumcondra has to cross the northbound and southbound tracks of the northern line taking up a slot.

That is why the interconnector is planned to solve that problem.

Anyhow you can change trains at Clonsilla and connect with a service from Maynooth that will serve Drumcondra - no more than a 7-8 minute wait there.

Likewise the trains in the opposite direction have a 5 minute connection at Clonsilla.

That gives a journey time of about 35 minutes from Dunboyne to Drumcondra - hardly that much of a disaster!

Matches

Also the walk from Docklands to Connolly is only 10 mins.

TheChrisD

The main issue with boarding at Clonsilla, particularly in the mornings, is that it's generally already packed enough with people, so having a fair few people getting off the Dunboyne train to wait for a "normal" train would probably make it even worse. And they'd have to get off at Clonsilla rather than any further down the line, because any further down and you run the risk of not being able to get on the train at all! A few weeks of me having to get the train at Castleknock during morning peak and I know how damn bad that is...

I also get the feeling there's going to be an awful lot of confusion for the first couple of weeks after the line opens because of this.

Murt10

With its big carpark, and the very large number of people using it, I am really surprised that the train goes straight from Docklands to Clonsilla rather than stopping in Coolmine first.

Hungerford

TheChrisD wrote: »

I also get the feeling there's going to be an awful lot of confusion for the first couple of weeks after the line opens because of this.

Not really, it's going to be a hell of a lot easier than if departures from Dunboyne alternated between Connolly and Docklands.

The problem is, as pointed out, that Connolly Station is operating at full capacity at the moment so all new Dublin services have to go to Docklands on weekdays.

Unfortunately, the Docklands line doesn't go through Drumcondra - it's a separate branch off the mainline. The line does have a connection with Connolly but it can only access Platform 7, it's single-track and it is rather steep. Plus using it blocks all services to and from Docklands. Your anger shouldn't really be directed at Irish Rail but those who originally built the lines over 100 years ago.

Zaph

Murt10 wrote: »

With its big carpark, and the very large number of people using it, I am really surprised that the train goes straight from Docklands to Clonsilla rather than stopping in Coolmine first.

The rush hour trains in the morning and evening stop at all stations rather than going direct.

munchkin_utd

funny nobody reported it here in the local fourm for D15.
This line actually started normal service this morning!!!

again: heres the timetable:
http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Maynooth%2010-2.pdf

heres info on fares:
http://www.irishrail.ie/upload/dunboyne.pdf

as mentioned elsewhere, the 1500 space carpark at m3 parkway is free (initially at least)!

Zaph

I got on the first train from the M3 parkway at Coolmine this morning and as it's a couple of minutes earlier than it used to be, I'd say it caught a lot of the regulars who are normally on it on the hop. However, they were replaced by a significant number of men aged 50+, all of them armed with impressive looking cameras and enthusiastically talking about level crossings and some bit of railway siding somewhere. When the train reached Docklands one guy raced off it ahead of everyone else and started taking pictures of the front of the train. Now given the relatively limited amount of railway stock in this country, I'm pretty sure he already has dozens of pics of that particular train, but obviously none of them were coming from the new station. Trainspotters really are weird!