citizen6 wrote: » Apologies if this has been discussed before, but with Metro connecting to Dart at Tara, is there any need for Dart Underground to go via Pearse and Stephen's Green? A DU route Docklands-Tara-Christchurch-Heuston-Inchicore would have a few advantages. Pros: Single interchange at Tara for Metro and both Dart lines. One fewer station, no disruption at Pearse or digging up SSG. Shorter tunnel route, roughly 1km less. Could tunnel under the south quays rather than under buildings if this is easier (assuming no issue with vibrations affecting liffey quay walls). Cheaper, quicker build, more likely to happen? Cons: New route requires new design work etc. Tara St station would need be very well laid out to handle the interchanges, and this would impact Metro station construction. What am I missing?
marno21 wrote: » DART Underground as it was has been abandoned and there is a new tunnel design from scratch ongoing so any route changes wouldn't require a new design per se
loyatemu wrote: » that all sounds reasonable, but a handful of PPT trains going across the Loop Line has caused havoc with the peak time Dart timetable since last year. Every southbound train from Drumcondra has to cross the northbound Dart line and if it's not on schedule you have knock on delays everywhere.
bk wrote: » with just DART's interacting there and not any other Diesels) and a consistent time table between them, it should be doable without too much trouble.
loyatemu wrote: » I admire your confidence in Irish Rail - even without Intercities it would still be more trains than they currently can't seem to handle. I suppose ideally all remaining diesel services would be terminated at P4 in Connolly and passengers wishing to continue onwards could transfer onto DART which should be every 5 mins between Connolly and GCD. But I can't help but be pessimistic about Irish Rail's ability to run the sort of tightly timetabled service required to make it work.
LXFlyer wrote: » The fundamental issue is that the DART schedule is not fit for purpose - the punctuality statistics will bear that out. The addition of the PPT services merely brought this to the fore. Revised DART running times (slightly longer but which reflect the reality on the ground) are needed, which in turn will need more drivers. However any change in driver rosters is on hold due to the current IR dispute. Hence we are stuck in limbo land. Get the DART running times fixed and I think you’ll see a significant improvement in overall performance.
Sam Russell wrote: » Of course, if the Dart is fully segregated, IR could go for a fully automated system (driverless) but maybe that might require trained drivers sitting in the cab in case there was a need for them to take over.
LXFlyer wrote: » That is some way off happening on heavy rail systems as a norm - regardless DART would not be fully segregated due to sharing tracks with Intercity and long distance suburban operations. Focus on what is achievable not something that’s frankly a long time away.
Sam Russell wrote: » I was not serious, just having a pop at the ridiculous situation where drivers have been able to hold up an important infrastructure enhancement by just bloody mindedness.
LXFlyer wrote: » Revised DART running times (slightly longer but which reflect the reality on the ground) are needed
loyatemu wrote: » "Pad the timetable" is generally Irish Rail's answer to their inability to run a consistent service. Fast forward a couple years, they're still not on time so they pad it further. Ridiculously long dwell times is one of the issues, increasing the frequency should if anything reduce the dwell times. Using Intercity trains for what are essentially commuter services is also a contributory factor.
LXFlyer wrote: » As a general rule however, the more trains that you add to a two track railway, it will have an impact on journey times when part of the line is at capacity. You only have to look at the various commuter railways across the water (particularly in the southeast) where journey times have had to be increased to incorporate additional services. It’s not something that’s specific to Irish Rail.
grahambo wrote: » It's no secret that the line between Pearse Station and Howth Junction is already at capacity, it's been like that for years. At rush hour a train passes by in each direction at least every 7 to 10 mins (That's the case at Killbarrack Station anyway, I timed it )
bk wrote: » The currently in progress city center resignalling project will almost double the capacity across the bridge to 20 trains per hour per direction:http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/city-centre-resignalling
ciaran75 wrote: » has this re signalling project started yet? any idea when it is due to be completed?
cgcsb wrote: » Re-signaling wont matter if drivers refuse to implement an improved timetable.
bk wrote: » BTW grahambo, the works included much more then just signalling. Tracks replacing and upgrading, re-alingments, platform changes and upgrades, etc. Might interest you about earlier phase:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBRxEM5_CYc
grahambo wrote: » Yup, it's started but they still have a good bit to do. (I've no idea when it's going to happen though) I thought they already agreed to this? Yeah I seen that. They were stacking up new track and machinery at night time around the Killester area weeks ahead for the bank holiday weekend. They were done and all by Monday, I thought the work would have gone into Monday afternoon
goingnowhere wrote: » Resignalling works are funded and underway at Connolly The yellow mushroom boxes are appearing all over Connolly. The DSER turntable has finally been disconnected in preparation for the final steps.
LXFlyer wrote: » The remaining element of the resignalling project is Connolly Station. That is still waiting on NTA funding.
BonnieSituation wrote: » Well @LordGlentoran, looks like the Eastern Bypass will have to wait.
sdanseo wrote: » They should all be fired if they refuse assuming their terms and conditions of employment remain the same and more staff are brought on rather than making any additional demands of them.
