Quality of Dublin to Westport Train?

spockety

I'm not a regular train user. I've got the train to Cork twice in the last 3 years and I was very impressed with the quality of it in terms of efficiency and how nice and clean the carriages were etc.

I'm considering using the train to go Dublin to Westport, how would it compare? I have it in my head that the Cork service is somehow standalone in it's quality, and services to other parts of Ireland are still like the Calcutta Express or something.

Are the Westport trains as good as the Cork ones? Can you reserve seats etc?

Jehuty42

If you want unbiased information on Irish Rail's operations with a minimum of hyperbole, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place.

munchkin_utd

spockety wrote: »

Are the Westport trains as good as the Cork ones? Can you reserve seats etc?

the interior kit out is almost identical on the intercity rail cars on this route to what you know going to cork.
All trains are only a few years old and in generally spot on. And reservations can be made just like on the Cork route.

Some will complain that the ride quality isnt as good as older loco pulled trains along with other gripes, but for 99% of the travelling public the train to Westport is way ahead of some of the prehistoric rolling stock that you used to see on the irish rail network till very recently.

EDIT: if i had a gripe myself it would be the lack of reclining seats but cork trains also lack this feature, as do TGVs in France!!

(the shuttle from Manula to Ballina is a horrible rickety commuter train but you wont have to experience that going to westport! )

Neworder79

Also has under table sockets which are great for laptop users.

foggy_lad

The train will be a modern bright new air conditioned DMU and most say they are as comfortable if not more comfortable than the Cork trains. there should be a snack trolly and may also be a dining car and shop on board where refreshments/meals can be bought.

My sister did the same trip from Kildare to Westport two years ago with 3 kids and said it was a great trip, comfortable and with no hassles.


Make sure you have your tickets in order or you may be fined €100 plus the cost of the standard fare.

Sometimes there are issues with the new trains that are supposed to split in two in athlone, this could delay you. thare could also be points problems or other train issues that may delay your journey. another train broken down could require you to transfer to busses for the remainder of your journey after a long delay.

The sockets will most likely NOT work as they are faulty. the smoke alarms often activate in the toilets when you lock the door.

LXFlyer

I'll try and give some I hope unbiased advice without hyperbole so:

The trains to Westport are all operated by the modern Intercity railcars that operate to Waterford, Limerick, Galway and some Cork services, and are reasonably comfortable with sockets for laptops/mobiles at each seat.

Yes you can reserve a seat.

Currently the trains are operating as follows through to Westport (during August):
0730 6 coach train Monday-Saturday
1230 3 coach train Monday-Thursday and 6 coach Friday/Saturday
1530 3 coach train Monday-Thursday and 6 coach Friday/Saturday
1830 6 coach train Monday-Saturday

I would advise that the 1230 is to be avoided Monday/Thursday if at all possible as it is suffering overcrowding.

In the other direction from Westport:
0515 3 coach train Monday-Friday
0715 6 coach train Monday-Saturday
1315 6 coach train Monday-Saturday
1745 3 coach train Monday-Thursday and 6 coach Friday/Saturday

From September the trains will revert to the normal pattern, the only difference being from the above:
0730 Dublin-Westport: 3 coach train Monday/Thursday and 6 coach train Friday/Saturday
1315 Westport-Dublin: 3 coach train Monday/Thursday and 6 coach train Friday/Saturday

Everything on Sunday is operated by a 6 coach train except the 0715 ex-Westport and the 1530 from Dublin which are operated by 3 piece trains (except where there is a big match on!).

Best advice - book online and have a guaranteed seat.

spockety

Thanks for all the info people..

foggy_lad

lxflyer wrote: »

I'll try and give some I hope unbiased advice without hyperbole so:

The trains to Westport are all operated by the modern Intercity railcars that operate to Waterford, Limerick, Galway and some Cork services, and are reasonably comfortable with sockets for laptops/mobiles at each seat.

Yes you can reserve a seat.

Has the socket power issue been sorted out across the fleet?

monument

The trains good in general. Plugs at all seats (Irish Rail has reported ongoing problems with these but I've only experienced it once).

Although, recently the use of three car trains set on some services seems to have lead to fairly packed trains. In a few of the trains I've been on recently, even where there's no overcrowding, there have been toilets backing up or otherwise out of order -- hopeful it's a not an ongoing problem.

munchkin_utd wrote: »

(the shuttle from Manula to Ballina is a horrible rickety commuter train but you wont have to experience that going to westport! )

I've never had a problem with ride quality of any of the trains Irish Rail have used on the branch line.