Westport to Galway by Iarnród Éireann

Yoda

I was looking at the Iarnród Éireann site and I decided to see how long it would take to get from Westport to Galway. Apparently, Monday through Sunday:

Depart Westport 07:10, arrive Athlone 09:05
Depart Athlone 09:09, arrive Galway 10:15

Three hours. A mosey, anyway.

But is that connection guaranteed? I mean, really?

paconnors

i Think Not Check this Link

http://www.buseireann.ie/site/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/expressway/52bgms.pdf

Yoda

D'oh! I meant rail, of course, not bus.

paconnors

Could You not go By Bus. Cheeper and Faster

Yoda

My question is, does Iarnród Éireann guarantee that connection?

John R

You'd need to call them to check, call Athlone station or if you are near the station in Westport talk to a train conductor on the route.
I know there are two lines from the station to the shannon bridge but I am not sure if the Galway train could be signalled out of the station before the Dublin bound one has arrived. If it can then it would probably not be guaranteed. Otherwise the Westport train would have to be very late for the Galway to be released from the station before it.

Yoda

So one would have to call to make sure if one had such a ticket? The connection is not guaranteed?

The Iarnród Éireann website gives this as a connection; that's why I was asking.

Asok

Generally when there is a connecting train like that they tend to hold the galway one until the westport one has arrived and passengers transferred over. Everytime I have gone through Athlone going from either westport or galway this has been the case. It may not be a "Guarentee" but its the case that they almost always wait.

enterprise

While it is possible for the down Galway train to leave Athlone and cross the up Westport (if a few mins late) in the old Athlone Midland station, I think they would rather cross them in the station as the delay to the Galway would be about the same give or take a minute.

Is it a guaranteed connection? Hard one to call. Your first line of defence would be to say the website shows it is a connection, therefore if you missed the train you could demand alternative transport be provided to your destination.

I hope your a good sprinter down through the underpass in Athlone!

Thanx 4 The Fish

They do guarantee that connection, in fact if your train is late they will hold the other train up until it gets there. I have been in that boat a couple of times. Sorry did I say boat, meant train.

enterprise

Thanx 4 The Fish wrote:

Sorry did I say boat, meant train.

LOL! Do trains to the west tend to travel on water? Must be a new invention down there!:D