Departures from Cork Kent

rovoagho

Sorry if this had been answered before, didn't see anything obvious on (mobile) search results. Can someone explain to me why Cork-Dublin sometimes leaves from the near platform, and sometimes from the far? Or has it just switched to the near platform in recent years? I definitely remember going under the track in the past, but I don't travel by train as often as I'd like.

corktina

it's because the trains are now push pull operated and can leave from the platform they arrive at with no shunting or loco run-round.

Victor

Platform 4 (platform near concourse) is much more practical to use than platform 5 (via the subway).

I understand that 22000-class trains are restricted in which platform they can use, as the other platform is substandard regarding the gap.

When Platform 4 is occupied, the few remaining trains to Mallow/Tralee tend to use platform 5 or rarely Platform 3.

rovoagho

Thank you both. There's no right or left policy for trains then? I seem to be on the left-hand track now, despite having left from the right in Kent.

(Pardon my complete ignorance on these matters. I like this forum, but most of what's said in here is utterly beyond me. )

LXFlyer

Not in Cork station, no. The tracks are fully signalled for movements in both directions to allow for operational flexibility.

The train doesn't move from the platform after arrival from Dublin (it does not need to given the train is a push/pull set). In other words the locomotive is at one end, and pulls the train from Dublin, and pushes it to Dublin - there is a driving cab at the other end of the train.

As the train does not need to move, and the entrance/exit from the station is beside platform 4, it is far more convenient to use that platform.

After departing from platform 4, the train switches tracks using the crossover that is just after entering the tunnel.

rovoagho

Very informative thanks! I knew that the driver could go at either end, obviously because I can see the cab, but I didn't realise that the train was pushed in the other direction. Silly of me when I think about it. Is it not less stable being pushed?

Wandering off topic, is the WiFi universally crap on IE or is it just this train? Keeps dropping and and asking me to reauth. I've given up on it at this stage, the patchy mobile service actually betters it.

And out of curiosity, how does it break out? Mobile, satellite?

corktina

not less stable, and more common than you'd think.

I can tell you many things about trains but nothing whatsoever about Techonology...all I know is that it works (when it does) not how it works.

Victor

rovoagho wrote: »

Wandering off topic, is the WiFi universally crap on IE or is it just this train?

You can't expect broadband quality download speeds in the middle of a field / bog in Laois. And you certainly can't expect it when moving and sharing it with other people.

Keeps dropping and and asking me to reauth. I've given up on it at this stage, the patchy mobile service actually betters it.

The difference being the dedicated connection, not one shared with up to 500 people.

And out of curiosity, how does it break out? Mobile, satellite?

Mobile across all the operators.

Losty Dublin

rovoagho wrote: »

Is it not less stable being pushed?

It is but by fractions of a % so in effect no it isn't.

rovoagho wrote: »

Wandering off topic, is the WiFi universally crap on IE or is it just this train? Keeps dropping and and asking me to reauth. I've given up on it at this stage, the patchy mobile service actually betters it.

And out of curiosity, how does it break out? Mobile, satellite?

Your train is traveling at speed through countryside, under bridges and cuttings well away from masts so the mobile phone signal can be patchy at times. Add to this varying contention ratios and potential WIFI loss so it won't be full pelt speed. It's intended for basic browsing, light social media sites and e mails; anything more is a bonus.

rovoagho

I don't expect it to be perfect (Victor), and I know I said I wasn't very clued in on these matters, but there's no need to be patronising.

My point is that it could be handled more gracefully by the router. Moreover, if they're using all three networks, it should be less likely to drop than my handset, not more. Slow, perhaps, but not drop.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Jamie2k9

Victor wrote: »

Platform 4 (platform near concourse) is much more practical to use than platform 5 (via the subway).

I understand that 22000-class trains are restricted in which platform they can use, as the other platform is substandard regarding the gap.

When Platform 4 is occupied, the few remaining trains to Mallow/Tralee tend to use platform 5 or rarely Platform 3.

The 22000 depart from either platform so I'm not sure about any restrictions. The 21.00 from Dublin which is a 22 arrives on number 5 and I am guess that it also departs from their at 06.00 the following morning as I can't see them moving a Mark 4 set.

As for poor wifi, there has being a major improvement since it started.

corktina

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

theres a barrier line at the edge of the concours I think

ardmacha

You can't expect broadband quality download speeds in the middle of a field / bog in Laois. And you certainly can't expect it when moving and sharing it with other people.

Railways traditionally had a telecoms infrastructure, with lines of telegraph poles on lines. If this could be leveraged in some way, rather than just sharing a mobile mast with everyone else, then trains would have an important competitive advantage.

Losty Dublin

ardmacha wrote: »

Railways traditionally had a telecoms infrastructure, with lines of telegraph poles on lines. If this could be leveraged in some way, rather than just sharing a mobile mast with everyone else, then trains would have an important competitive advantage.

The old poles are long gone from service, they were old telegraph networks for P+T and some internal lines only. The newer mast poles are for train radio systems; some are used for mobile phones as well. You'd need hundreds of them nationwide to give a good level of internet; the costs would be huge.

dowlingm

rovoagho wrote: »

Very informative thanks! I knew that the driver could go at either end, obviously because I can see the cab, but I didn't realise that the train was pushed in the other direction. Silly of me when I think about it. Is it not less stable being pushed?

Wandering off topic, is the WiFi universally crap on IE or is it just this train? Keeps dropping and and asking me to reauth. I've given up on it at this stage, the patchy mobile service actually betters it.

And out of curiosity, how does it break out? Mobile, satellite?

There is an active thread on that subject.

The_Wanderer

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

The 22000 depart from either platform so I'm not sure about any restrictions. The 21.00 from Dublin which is a 22 arrives on number 5 and I am guess that it also departs from their at 06.00 the following morning as I can't see them moving a Mark 4 set.

As for poor wifi, there has being a major improvement since it started.

Platform 1 (East Cork Bay) may be restricted (not sure from memory) but there is certainly no restrictions on 4 or 5 in Cork for 22000 sets.

The ICR that operates the 2100 ex Heuston always goes to the slab for maintenance purposes during the night before working the 0600 the following morning.

Victor

rovoagho wrote: »

I don't expect it to be perfect (Victor), and I know I said I wasn't very clued in on these matters, but there's no need to be patronising.

Hi, sorry, that wasn't quite my intention.

rovoagho

Fred Swanson wrote: »

How do they handle ticket checking if the train is departing from the near platform?

They installed barriers recently. There's a thread about it in here somewhere, I think searching for "planning" and "kent" will find it.

SpaceTime

If you're being dropped off the WiFi and having to log in again that's more likely a problem on board between the router and your machine.

I would suggest that you clear your cookies before logging in. You also can't use any alternative DNS servers or you won't be directed to the log in screen

You also must leave the login page with the active map open. So either minimise it or open a new tab.

If you're still having issues email support and quote the carriage number which you'll find near the internal doors of each coach.

It's also possible that a router in the coach is just too busy.

flyingsnail

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

rovoagho wrote: »

They installed barriers recently. There's a thread about it in here somewhere, I think searching for "planning" and "kent" will find it.

AFAIK those are not yet operational. There was a gate at the entrance to the near platform that controlled passenger access and allowed ticket checking, just beside the entrance to the subway.

cml387

Thread fail. I thought this was about Southern electric services to Victoria.

dowlingm

cml387 wrote: »

Thread fail. I thought this was about Southern electric services to Victoria.

You're looking for boards.co.uk mate. :rolleyes:

CaptainSkidmark

i remember many moon ago leaving for mallow from platform 1 or 2!