I assume they need a depot of some description on each line, they don't want to have to take every train on the Maynooth line back to Hazelhatch at the end of each day. The coastal line has Fairview, Drogheda and Bray.
Where to the existing Maynooth line trains stable overnight? Connolly?
Land is just too valuable around the docks area. And not enough of it located together really. North Wall due to get busier with planned loading of the IWT there, rather than down the docks, as well as a second train a few days a week.
Assume so.
Last train to arrive in Maynooth always leaves asap anyway.
There is a difference between stabling points and depots. Trains don’t have to be serviced every day but rather on the basis of mileage travelled.
The ICRs have a single depot at Portlaoise for all exams but fuelling and watering between exams are carried out at other locations.
The 29000 fleet (it’s a common fleet across all Connolly routes) overnights at Drogheda depot, Dundalk, Connolly, Longford and Rosslare.
The DART fleet currently overnights at Fairview and Bray.
I wonder when a train overnights at somewhere like Longford, how does the driver get home after? By car, or is it tied to where the driver is from?
There are drivers based in Longford.
They used to get a taxi back to base, which was actually cheaper than driving the train back, but I think they now based a driver there.
Last train to Maynooth goes back empty to Connolly.
There's depots in both Longford and Mullingar that operate those trains.
Not really. The existing platform stays where it is, as does the current running line. New double track beside the current one. New up platform offset further to the west if it needs to be.
There is no space for a second running line with the existing layout, because the platform is built on where it once was.
I don’t think you’re hearing me. Change the layout.
The corridor is extremely narrow through there. At any point on the line, the space is only wide enough to have two tracks, or one platform and one track. What you cannot have is two tracks and a platform - there just isn't room.
I am
The existing platform is on the trackbed
The two track trackbed that abuts the canal
There is no space to put two tracks in without demolishing the existing platform.
I think the poster is suggesting taking space from other uses (e.g. the front car parking spaces) to build a new platform back from the existing one. I don't know if that is feasible, but it could allow a new track and platform to built, and a platform to built on the other side of the existing track. But then the local canoe club would have a problem.
They are, they explicitly state leaving the platform as it is.
Moving it inwards would require CPOing houses. Doable but likely.
Kilcock ideally needs a third platform for DARTs to terminate at. Just go west of the road bridge, plenty of space there. As I said before, that also opens the possibility of another station on the eastern side of the town.
Here you go. Two tracks and a second platform. More room than I thought.
He might be under selling it as the plan back in January was to have 19 new trains in service by the end of 2025 and then the remaining 18 trains in 2026. These should free up ICR's with plans to introduce hourly services to Galway, Waterford and Sligo by early 2027.
A photoshop job does not reflect reality.
There isn't space.
There isn't space for two tracks and the platform under the bridge, let alone your photoshopped two track and two platforms. And you have no access to the impossible second platform either.
If space is that tight, an island platform, and a turnback siding just after the station is all that is needed.
I think you just aren't familiar with the station, and lack foresight.
I think you are relying on Google Maps and photoshop. And have never been to Kilcock; or have zero spatial ability - one or the other.
There's no space, your photoshops show you don't have any comprehension of what's required.
Further replies on this would be a waste of time and electrons, as you'll just hit photoshop again.
From Google Street View it looks like the bridge at Kilkock station was 'relatively' recently rebuilt? There definitely appears to be space for a second track, but I can't comment on space for platforms. I got a train from there only once and I don't recall noticing lots of space.
I'm curious - if the bridge was indeed refurbished recently, were we so shortsighted not to leave space for a 2nd platform? Christ Almighty!...
I think that it has been general policy to renew overbridges with room for double tracks where appropriate.
The trackbed was already double track, it always had been as the line was built as double track to Mullingar. All structures over the line are double track due to this. Many won't have the height for catenary, though.
It was singled in the 20s or 30s; with the single track slewed to somewhat in the middle of the trackbed.
Kilcock Station was built, completely new, on that site in the 1990s. It was built on the trackbed, going under the bridge.
The same had been done when Confey station was constructed in 1990 as a completely new station, with a single platform on the dual track trackbed. This had to be completely demolished to return the line to a dual alignment - as with Kilcock, the space does not exist to put two lines through without removing the platform that was built on the trackbed.
This shows the site, including a platform face, of the original Kilcock station. The track is too far from the platform, due to having been slewed to the centre.
Remove the existing platform, reinstate the second track, rebuild the two platforms to the west of the bridge. Canoe club not impacted. Would that work?
When will ground likely be broken on Dart+ West now it's approved? Even without the depot, stuff like Spencer Dock finally being built will be great.
Mid to late 2025. Could possibly be 2026 if tenderers aren't keen. The Spencer Dock package of works is complex in engineering terms. It's building a train station below the water table,something which hasn't been attempted in Ireland before.
The bridge works also involve some very sensitive heritage works, which might make contractors reluctant.
Then there's the Ashtown underpass including a new viaduct for the royal canal.
Altogether it's a complex job with many specialist requirements.
Will the line be closed for any significant periods of time?
