Phoenix Park tunnel: 4 trains per hour from 2016

spacetweek wrote: »

Bit simplistic - They're trained to do a particular route and when you add a new section of track it's different working conditions that requires new training.

Lets see what the unions have to say about it. Im not being simplistic at all. Realistic.

spacetweek wrote: »

Bit simplistic - They're trained to do a particular route and when you add a new section of track it's different working conditions that requires new training.

Grandeeod wrote: »

Lets see what the unions have to say about it. Im not being simplistic at all. Realistic.

I think someone mentioned that drivers are already on route knowledge for this (in either this or the DART thread) so I'd imagine there are no issues with it's introduction.

lxflyer wrote: »

As I understand it the drivers have indeed been route training between Islandbridge Junction and Connolly.

The remaining section to Grand Canal Dock will take place when the re-signalling and associated track work is completed during the summer.

GCD due to be commissioned this weekend AFAIK

As far as I am aware, the connection from the UP MAIN, SOUTH END, into the new Platform [1] @ GCD will not be laid in this phase.

Connections from the PSE end into both PI @ GCD & BOSTON SDGS will be commissioned, but will not be available for use until further notice.

The DOWN RUNNING LOOP will also be reconnected & brought back into use

Sam Russell wrote: »

How many years is it taking to get this work done? There was a connection there and it was completely ripped out - that must be at least two years ago.

With respect, by making a statement like that, you clearly don't appreciate the amount of work involved in completely resignalling a busy railway line and remodelling it, while keeping the railway fully operational. It's massive, and far more restrictive than working on renewing a road for example.

The work is staged, with implementation of each stage only taking place when engineers can get a full extended possession of the track (i.e. closure). If there is a problem with the equipment they would have to postpone the implementation until they can get another extended possession. They only get one chance.

We're now at completion of about the eighth stage of the current works (which stretch from Connolly to Sandymount) as I understand it. Initial clearance works started in August 2014, with full works commencing in early 2015. Each of those stages have involved track alterations, signalling alterations and revised layouts to allow different works be carried out. These have included slewing both running lines at different points in time.

There has also been significant work in strengthening the support structures beneath the unused platform track bed.

All of this was carried out whilst one of the busiest sections of railway in the country remains fully operational.

The project is on schedule for completion on time this Autumn.

Sam Russell wrote: »

Glad to hear it.

I am only a casual observer, passing GCD very occasionally and not able to see exactly what work is being done.

With a resignalling project the bulk of the works will not be obvious to the naked eye - but it doesn't mean nothing is happening.

Any update on this?

Surprised no paper has given an update

Sam Russell wrote: »

They still have not connected Grand Canal Dock platform 1 to the Dart line from Lansdown. I would have thought that would be done by now.

lxflyer wrote: »

As I've repeatedly told you here - the project is being done in stages - re-routing the running lines will require another weekend closure - you don't really seem to grasp that remodelling a railway and completely resignalling it, whilst maintaining the current railway in full operation every day is exceptionally complex. Just because you expect things to be done a particular way does not follow that the civil and signalling engineers are going to do things in the manner you expect.

The project is, as I understand it, still on time - so why keep making these critical comments?

The project is not due to come into operation (I'd guess) until late October or November - people are just going to have to wait.

The last stage of the current phase of the CCRP will see connecting up GCD platform 1 and turning platform 2 into a bay platform and is scheduled to be completed during the August bank holiday weekend.

The PPT project should be completed by October.

Sam Russell wrote: »

Thank you for the update.

Is the platform 2 still going to connect as it does now? In other words will North bound Darts still be able to use Platform 2 as well as Platform 1 when the job is completed?

No platform 2 will have a set of buffers and the connection south end will be severed turning it into a bay platform to allow turn back facilities for the Kildare services without having to cross between oncoming north bound trains as north bound trains will run through platform 1 only.

MrMorooka wrote: »

So am I right in my thoughts that the layout will be something like this?

Not quite.

Down DARTs will continue straight on along the running lines, only using the loop if there is a commuter train waiting to access GCD.

Up DART trains will cross over to the line coming out of the turnback platform immediately after GCD.

The rest of the line you have marked as Dart in the up direction will be for commuter trains to come out of the Boston Sidings or to store them as at present.

MrMorooka wrote: »

Interesting, thanks. Are all Maynooth/Northern Line services currently terminating at Pearse planned to move to GCD? Because if so I can't see Boston sidings and the line connecting to them being very useful as it would require a double shunt to get to and from a platform. Or is the GCD terminus only for the new Kildare/PPT services and peak time use?

I can't see everything using GCD - There will still have to be some use of the Boston Sidings with trains starting & finishing at Pearse

GM228 wrote: »

Only Kildare services will turn back from GCD, whilst Maynooth and Drogheda/Dundalk services will continue to operate to/from Pearse as normal.

We can't say that for sure yet - no timetable has been published. Off peak they may all use GCD, but at peak times I don't think the capacity will be there for them all to use GCD.

GM228 wrote: »

The draft plan is for all Kildare services to operate to/from GCD and existing services to continue as normal.

I have that from a good reliable source.

I'd find that slightly difficult to believe - there's no reason certainly off-peak for all three routes not to use the turnback at GCD.