Waterford/Rosslare Strand Railway reaches the buffer stops (again)!

Hungerford · 15-04-2010 12:10pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

That sounds pretty weak as well.

From the official journal of the fossils IRRS:

When the re-signalling project was being designed a number of issues were raised with the existing station area within the Port of Rosslare Harbour. With few cross-channel passengers using the rail service, the need to streamline the flow of road traffic to and from the ferries and the cost of retaining the existing layout resulted in a decision to relocate the station.

The article was written by Oliver Doyle of IE and published in December 2008.

DWCommuter · 15-04-2010 12:16pm

Hungerford wrote: »

From the official journal of the fossils IRRS:

When the re-signalling project was being designed a number of issues were raised with the existing station area within the Port of Rosslare Harbour. With few cross-channel passengers using the rail service, the need to streamline the flow of road traffic to and from the ferries and the cost of retaining the existing layout resulted in a decision to relocate the station.

The article was written by Oliver Doyle of IE and published in December 2008.

"Few cross channel passengers using the rail service"

Correct me if Im wrong, but the trains didn't connect with Ferries, did they?

KC61 · 15-04-2010 12:17pm

Southsider1 wrote: »

They never heard of gates then? :mad: Funny that they don't have the same issue at Holyhead port? Railway comes right into the terminal...

Yes, but the railway does not bisect the secure area that cars / trucks have entered once they have checked in. That's the problem in Rosslare - I'm certainly not defending what happened - it is farcical.

Cookie_Monster · 15-04-2010 12:43pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

"Few cross channel passengers using the rail service"

Correct me if Im wrong, but the trains didn't connect with Ferries, did they?

LOL, no wonder then

15-04-2010 6:54pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

"Few cross channel passengers using the rail service"

Correct me if Im wrong, but the trains didn't connect with Ferries, did they?

Another example of IE providing a shoddy or non-existent service to justify its withdrawal due to lack of use?

Southsider1 · 15-04-2010 8:45pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

"Few cross channel passengers using the rail service"

Correct me if Im wrong, but the trains didn't connect with Ferries, did they?

Spot on! And, if you get the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead and the ferry runs late the train waits for the ferry passengers. There's always a fairly good crowd on the boat trains.

L1011 · 15-04-2010 10:03pm

Southsider1 wrote: »

They never heard of gates then? :mad: Funny that they don't have the same issue at Holyhead port? Railway comes right into the terminal...

No, it doesn't... Holyhead is served by Holyhead town's railway station, from which there is a walkway in to the terminal.

Still a lot bloody closer than whats in Rosslare now though!

Southsider1 · 15-04-2010 10:36pm

MYOB wrote: »

No, it doesn't... Holyhead is served by Holyhead town's railway station, from which there is a walkway in to the terminal.

Still a lot bloody closer than whats in Rosslare now though!

Ok. If you want to be pedantic about it. The station adjoins the ferry foot passenger terminal. See attached link, The train station is the red brick building the ferry terminal is the grey one adjoining it: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Holyhead+Train+Station&sll=58.904646,-6.679687&sspn=21.168759,90&ie=UTF8&hq=Holyhead+Train+Station&hnear=&ll=53.308282,-4.629568&spn=0,0.010986&z=17&iwloc=B&layer=c&cbll=53.308355,-4.629497&panoid=OpkM3ytXqcWkbsA7CncdEQ&cbp=12,10.46,,0,5

L1011 · 15-04-2010 10:47pm

Southsider1 wrote: »

Ok. If you want to be pedantic about it. The station adjoins the ferry foot passenger terminal. See attached link, The train station is the red brick building the ferry terminal is the grey one adjoining it: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Holyhead+Train+Station&sll=58.904646,-6.679687&sspn=21.168759,90&ie=UTF8&hq=Holyhead+Train+Station&hnear=&ll=53.308282,-4.629568&spn=0,0.010986&z=17&iwloc=B&layer=c&cbll=53.308355,-4.629497&panoid=OpkM3ytXqcWkbsA7CncdEQ&cbp=12,10.46,,0,5

Its not pedantry when something is entirely untrue. To be pedantic, the station would have had to actually be in the terminal but legally outside it, or similar.

Whereas in fact its entirely outside it. And I know the layout of Holyhead, thanks very much, I'd not have been able to comment otherwise.

Southsider1 · 15-04-2010 11:06pm

They are ajoined. And the station is within the port boundary directly adjoining the terminal building. You do not have to step outside to board a train on Platform 1 + 2 from the terminal building.

JHMEG · 16-04-2010 1:39am

MYOB wrote: »

Its not pedantry when something is entirely untrue.

No, it's plain wrong.

Southsider1 wrote:

They are ajoined

Looks like it

Lifelike · 16-04-2010 1:43am

DWCommuter wrote: »

"Few cross channel passengers using the rail service"

Correct me if Im wrong, but the trains didn't connect with Ferries, did they?

welcome to ireland :rolleyes:

BenShermin · 16-04-2010 3:49pm

I've got the solution to all of lives problems, Bus Eireann could put a bus stop outside the Rosslare Euroshack station to bring the people from the ferry terminal to the train station:cool:.

Mind you though the trains probably wouldn't connect with the buses:rolleyes:.

DWCommuter · 16-04-2010 3:57pm

I've got the solution to all of lives problems, Bus Eireann could put a bus stop outside the Rosslare Euroshack station to bring the people from the ferry terminal to the train station.

Mind you though the trains probably wouldn't connect with the buses.

But its TRADITION!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fsEPru64Wo

Judgement Day · 16-04-2010 4:25pm

DW - The Devil makes work for idle hands. Glad you got some use out of my newscuttings. Keep up the good work and let's kill the beast once and for all!:D

Southsider1 · 16-04-2010 4:49pm

MYOB wrote: »

Its not pedantry when something is entirely untrue. To be pedantic, the station would have had to actually be in the terminal but legally outside it, or similar.

Whereas in fact its entirely outside it. And I know the layout of Holyhead, thanks very much, I'd not have been able to comment otherwise.

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/IVORY/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-9.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/IVORY/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-10.png[/IMG]

Judgement Day · 16-04-2010 4:58pm

Southsider1 wrote: »

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/IVORY/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-9.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/IVORY/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-10.png[/IMG]

But this is a bit off topic anyway.

DWCommuter · 17-04-2010 9:29am

Im trying to reconcile this from West on Track;

The West on Track Campaign has issued the following statement in response to recent newspaper allegations linking the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor with the closure of the Waterford-Rosslare rail line.
It is a matter of deep regret to all who support the provision of public transport that any railway line should be closed. The people of the West, who have long experience of widespread railway closures, feel great sympathy for their fellow citizens in the southeast in their current difficult situation. It is to be hoped that even at this late stage, local public representatives, community groups, Iarnród Éireann and the Department of Transport can bring about a solution to the problem.
At the same time, it is extremely regrettable that politicians are seeking to link this closure with the recent reopening of the Galway-Limerick line. There has never been any such link or connection and we are unaware of any such connection ever having being made by the Minister for Transport. In our view it is very unlikely that the remarks ascribed to him in the Sunday Tribune represent the actual views of the Minister.

With this quote from the minister;

The move to sacrifice the Waterford-Rosslare railway will leave a sizeable portion of Co Wexford without any public transport but Dempsey said that "it's not possible to provide a public transport system to every nook and corner of the country".

"If we want to provide a reasonable service to 150,000 people along the western corridor and we can't increase the subsidy we can give to Iarnród Éireann, you have to look at those ones which are less used," he said.

Judgement Day · 17-04-2010 9:57am

This hot from IRN - where will it end? Talk about innovation and the smart economy - trains that connect with ferries.........:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

(17/04/10 09:28:43)
IRN Moderator
We understand that the 1255 Rosslare/Dublin train has been altered to depart at 1335 today to offer a connection out of the Irish Ferries service.
This followed an intervention from Junior Minister for Transport, Ciaran Cuffe.

Of course nothing on the Irish Rail website or IE Twitter link!!

DWCommuter · 17-04-2010 10:27am

Ah bless their little hearts. Now I wonder will there be assistance from staff to guide passengers from the ferry to the wee model platform across the plains of Ross.:D

Note to Cuffe: Thanks for reading the internet.

goingnowhere · 17-04-2010 12:26pm

But the ferry from Pembroke arrives at 6:45 and 18:45...

KenGriffin · 17-04-2010 12:42pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

Im trying to reconcile this from West on Track

The Minister's comments are direct quotes from a taped conversation.

DWCommuter · 17-04-2010 12:54pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

But the ferry from Pembroke arrives at 6:45 and 18:45...

Ah Yes. But that would be Irish Ferries. The Fishgard Rosslare Railway & Harbour Company only do business with Stena Line.:D

DWCommuter · 17-04-2010 12:55pm

KenGriffin wrote: »

The Minister's comments are direct quotes from a taped conversation.

I don't need convincing. Im just flabbergasted that WOT would attempt to twist what he said or what was printed.

L1011 · 17-04-2010 1:06pm

Southsider1 wrote: »

They are ajoined. And the station is within the port boundary directly adjoining the terminal building. You do not have to step outside to board a train on Platform 1 + 2 from the terminal building.

Using the station still doesn't require passing in to the secured section of the terminal, whereas the old Rosslare Europort one did.

Its still not a comparable scenario, at all. Holyhead Railway Station is not *in* Holyhead ferry port. Its beside the Stena passenger terminal. Its fecking MILES from the Irish Ferries passenger terminal (for they are not one in the same)

DWCommuter · 17-04-2010 1:11pm

MYOB wrote: »

Using the station still doesn't require passing in to the secured section of the terminal, whereas the old Rosslare Europort one did.

Its still not a comparable scenario, at all. Holyhead Railway Station is not *in* Holyhead ferry port. Its beside the Stena passenger terminal. Its fecking MILES from the Irish Ferries passenger terminal (for they are not one in the same)

I suppose the confusion arises from the fact that Holyhead station used to be in the port. Of course the inner harbour was closed off to ferries, then Stena built a new terminal at the end of the old rail freight yard and Irish Ferries got sent off to the other side for their terminal. Holyhead has seen some huge changes over the years.

Judgement Day · 17-04-2010 1:37pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

I suppose the confusion arises from the fact that Holyhead station used to be in the port. Of course the inner harbour was closed off to ferries, then Stena built a new terminal at the end of the old rail freight yard and Irish Ferries got sent off to the other side for their terminal. Holyhead has seen some huge changes over the years.

Almost all of the changes for the worse - God be with the days of the old station buffet where for several years the jukebox used to get stuck on play - happy memories and some not so.

dowlingm · 17-04-2010 4:59pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

This hot from IRN - where will it end? Talk about innovation and the smart economy - trains that connect with ferries.........:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

(17/04/10 09:28:43)
IRN Moderator
We understand that the 1255 Rosslare/Dublin train has been altered to depart at 1335 today to offer a connection out of the Irish Ferries service.
This followed an intervention from Junior Minister for Transport, Ciaran Cuffe.

Of course nothing on the Irish Rail website or IE Twitter link!!

The original post is not on the board now and there is no ferry to connect to. Unannounced engineering work?

DWCommuter · 17-04-2010 5:41pm

dowlingm wrote: »

The original post is not on the board now and there is no ferry to connect to. Unannounced engineering work?

IRN Hoax?

Our man in Havana · 17-04-2010 5:50pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

IRN Hoax?

They are not known for such messing.

Hungerford · 17-04-2010 7:41pm

I was just thinking today... if this flight disruption continues into the medium-term, which appears relatively likely, the lines out of Rosslare are going to become a lot more strategically important.

I wonder if the emergency taskforce will order IE to synchronise its trains to the boat timetables and provide extra services on the Rosslare-Limerick Junction section so that people heading to/from Britain can access ferry services without going to Dublin.

lord lucan · 17-04-2010 9:17pm

Hungerford wrote: »

I was just thinking today... if this flight disruption continues into the medium-term, which appears relatively likely, the lines out of Rosslare are going to become a lot more strategically important.

I wonder if the emergency taskforce will order IE to synchronise its trains to the boat timetables and provide extra services on the Rosslare-Limerick Junction section so that people heading to/from Britain can access ferry services without going to Dublin.

That would make so much sense which means the answer will most likely be No.

DWCommuter · 17-04-2010 9:50pm

Hungerford wrote: »

I was just thinking today... if this flight disruption continues into the medium-term, which appears relatively likely, the lines out of Rosslare are going to become a lot more strategically important.

I wonder if the emergency taskforce will order IE to synchronise its trains to the boat timetables and provide extra services on the Rosslare-Limerick Junction section so that people heading to/from Britain can access ferry services without going to Dublin.

Well considering that many will be a position where they have to take any ferry they can get to Ireland, I'd agree about Rosslare's strategic importance. IE have so far done nothing whatsoever. An opportunity to assist and make extra revenue is there, but the emergency task force probably don't even know a rail line to Rosslare exists. And IE won't be in any hurry to tell them.:D

foggy_lad · 18-04-2010 1:40am

Judgement Day wrote: »

This hot from IRN - where will it end? Talk about innovation and the smart economy - trains that connect with ferries.........:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

(17/04/10 09:28:43)
IRN Moderator
We understand that the 1255 Rosslare/Dublin train has been altered to depart at 1335 today to offer a connection out of the Irish Ferries service.
This followed an intervention from Junior Minister for Transport, Ciaran Cuffe.

Of course nothing on the Irish Rail website or IE Twitter link!!

is there a junior minister hoofing it back from the uk by cattle boat due to the volcanic ash outbreak?

dowlingm · 18-04-2010 4:16am

@hungerford having read the Emergency Taskforce's statement and the so-called information on Transport.ie, the notion of ferries and trains doesn't seem to be high on their priorities so much as hoping this all just goes away.

Hungerford · 18-04-2010 11:10am

dowlingm wrote: »

@hungerford having read the Emergency Taskforce's statement and the so-called information on Transport.ie, the notion of ferries and trains doesn't seem to be high on their priorities so much as hoping this all just goes away.

Yep. Not even a mention. In Britain, extra services are being put on to meet demand.

Southsider1 · 18-04-2010 12:45pm

DWCommuter wrote: »

Well considering that many will be a position where they have to take any ferry they can get to Ireland, I'd agree about Rosslare's strategic importance. IE have so far done nothing whatsoever. An opportunity to assist and make extra revenue is there, but the emergency task force probably don't even know a rail line to Rosslare exists. And IE won't be in any hurry to tell them.:D

They don't have the foresight to deviate from their usual timetables. As a good example: Last year when the U2 concerts were on in Croker, they decided to run the Dart in both directions at midnight and 00:30. We never knew about it until after as there were no posters. I asked a guy in our local who works in IE why they didn't advertise it - there were NO posters or ads for it consequently very few used it - his reply was that they didn't want to advertise it in case the trains got..... wait for it..... too busy. They'd bring tears to a glass eye!

KC61 · 18-04-2010 1:52pm

Well just to prove people wrong (and I am slightly surprised myself):

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=715

Rosslare-Dublin: schedule change & extra service Sun 18th April by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann advises customers of the following schedule alterations today (Sunday 18th April) on the Rosslare Europort-Dublin rail line.

These changes are to facilitate high numbers travelling on ferry services, as a result of the restrictions on air travel.

17.40hrs Rosslare Europort to Dublin will be deferred to depart at 18.40hrs, and operate one hour later throughout.

An additional service will also from Rosslare Europort to Dublin following the above altered service, and will depart as all ferry passengers are accommodated.

Iarnród Éireann thanks customers for their cooperation with these arrangements.

KC61 · 18-04-2010 1:54pm

The 1255 ex-Rosslare was indeed deferred to 1335 yesterday - perhaps to connect out of the Irish Ferries sailing ex-Cherbourg?

Judgement Day · 18-04-2010 2:13pm

dowlingm wrote: »

@hungerford having read the Emergency Taskforce's statement and the so-called information on Transport.ie, the notion of ferries and trains doesn't seem to be high on their priorities so much as hoping this all just goes away.

Yeah, it's the typical Irish reaction to a crisis - were neutral; take the iodine pills and bury your head in the sand and hope the problem will go away. On a surreal note an otherwise 'seemingly' intelligent panellist on the Marion Finnucane show on RTE today suggested that the Irish Naval service should be drafted into support the ferry companies! Can you imagine, the British had to draft in the S.S.Canberra and the QEII for the Falklands War but we are going to have tubs like the "L.E.Orla" ferrying passengers to Britain and Europe.

Hungerford · 18-04-2010 4:19pm

KC61 wrote: »

Well just to prove people wrong (and I am slightly surprised myself):

At least, it's a step forward. Though I doubt that they will start running rescheduled and extra trains from Limerick Junction to Rosslare to allow people from the South connect to the ferry, particularly given their campaign to destroy the route.

Quick note: reports from the south-east indicate that the evening Waterford to Rosslare yesterday was standing room only. As was the morning service in the opposite direction.

kingstapler · 18-04-2010 4:59pm

Well now, it is good that they are trying to cater for all of the extra passengers, but isn't it a little unfair though, that regular passengers will have their train service distrupted for this. As a few other people said on this board a while back, IE should never change the railway service to suit others, run it as a special maybe but do not change and distrupt the regular train service.

dowlingm · 18-04-2010 7:26pm

KC61 wrote: »

The 1255 ex-Rosslare was indeed deferred to 1335 yesterday - perhaps to connect out of the Irish Ferries sailing ex-Cherbourg?

We can only guess because the timetable said 17 April only and there was no travel alert.

dowlingm · 18-04-2010 7:28pm

kingstapler wrote: »

Well now, it is good that they are trying to cater for all of the extra passengers, but isn't it a little unfair though, that regular passengers will have their train service distrupted for this.

In fairness, this is early days and we can expect some quick and dirty decisions. If ferry traffic is going to stay high obviously we should expect more permanent solutions. That said, the Irish Rail practice of changing the schedule without notice AND WITHOUT ANNOUNCEMENT in ways that you have to be in the know to take advantage of is unacceptable.

steamengine · 18-04-2010 9:07pm

Just an observation - if the present fallout from the Icelandic volcano doesn't point up the strategic necessity of keeping the Rosslare Port railway line open, including the Wexford / Waterford connection, then what more reasons are needed ???

Who would have guessed a white knight would have come galloping on his charger so soon. Hope this point is not lost on IR.

dowlingm · 18-04-2010 9:33pm

steamengine - it doesn't point up anything really to those of us who don't already think this link is strategic. The sister company will claim they can handle long term increases simply by scheduling another bus or two (as the Information Minister has already claimed for the existing Rosslare-Waterford commuter business), but the minute the ash clears the Great Irish Traveller is going to banging on Mick O'Leary's door again, assuming Christophe Mueller's is even still open. It's difficult to predict any long term gains for the ferry mode for now.

What I wonder is how long before a Larne-Stranraer or Rosslare-Fishguard tunnel starts getting play in the papers - or has it already?

steamengine · 18-04-2010 10:41pm

dowlingm wrote: »

steamengine - it doesn't point up anything really to those of us who don't already think this link is strategic. The sister company will claim they can handle long term increases simply by scheduling another bus or two (as the Information Minister has already claimed for the existing Rosslare-Waterford commuter business), but the minute the ash clears the Great Irish Traveller is going to banging on Mick O'Leary's door again, assuming Christophe Mueller's is even still open. It's difficult to predict any long term gains for the ferry mode for now.

What I wonder is how long before a Larne-Stranraer or Rosslare-Fishguard tunnel starts getting play in the papers - or has it already?

MD your points taken - the nub of what I was getting at is - why is this point apparently lost on IE and by association the government ?

Who is to say that this line might not be required again for rail freight in the not too distant future ? The volatility in oil prices might dictate that sooner than later ! Or indeed other unforseen events like the volcano! - it will be interesting to see just how long the fall out from this event lasts and the effects transport wise !

The tunnel - thats a tiny bit futuristic - but rail electrification is something else that we will most likely have to play catch up as well. Noticed on tv the Swiss set up which seems very simple compared to the complex gantry systems we have for the Dart.

Sponge Bob · 18-04-2010 11:56pm

If a Volcano came up right under their arses in Heuston they might notice

foggy_lad · 18-04-2010 11:58pm

or just put it down to the previous night's curry, thay dont pay any attention to anything or anyone.

Hungerford · 19-04-2010 8:48am

Here's something you can't make up.

IE decided that the so-called special from Rosslare to Dublin shouldn't actually be run. They then brought it back to Dublin out of service. Seems to have been a decoy designed to prove there was no demand for such services.

Waterford/Rosslare Strand Railway reaches the buffer stops (again)!

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