Great Railway Journeys on CIE

Del.Monte · 24-11-2017 12:40pm

L1011 wrote: »

Realistically, paper timetables are used by an extremely small number of people from a few specific cohorts at this stage. There is a reason airlines stopped doing them - as have most private bus operators.

There are far more pressing issues with Irish Rail and of the potential problems I wouldn't see paper timetables as being worth a second of effort.

Perhaps you should contact Wexford Bus and let them know as it would save them time and money getting timetables printed? It's called marketing.

I recently met visitors in Enniscorthy waiting for the bus to Wexford - the hotel that they were staying in only had bus information - and they were disappointed when I explained that there was a train that they could have got and that the journey was far more scenic.

As for timetables not being important in the overall scheme of things on Irish Rail, that's the problem, nothing is important in CIE/IE that's why we have the ongoing crisis.

rebel456 · 24-11-2017 3:34pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

Perhaps you should contact Wexford Bus and let them know as it would save them time and money getting timetables printed? It's called marketing.

I recently met visitors in Enniscorthy waiting for the bus to Wexford - the hotel that they were staying in only had bus information - and they were disappointed when I explained that there was a train that they could have got and that the journey was far more scenic.

As for timetables not being important in the overall scheme of things on Irish Rail, that's the problem, nothing is important in CIE/IE that's why we have the ongoing crisis.

I agree with you that IR should be providing timetables for services, especially the Wexford line as it doesn't exactly carry much services anyway. No harm printing a nice glossy timetable like Wexford Bus as you mention. Many tourist folks and those not as technologically literate do rely on having a printed timetable.

The hotel does seem a bit lazy too. I've worked in hospitality, from a smallish 4 star place to a plush 5 star. Any hotel worth its salt will have transport information for guests. Even a few printed versions of the PDF timetable you can get online. Especially working on the front desk they should have that info to hand - or at least take a few seconds to Google for guests that ask.

Del.Monte · 22-08-2018 12:04pm

Returning to this subject and the Rosslare service yet again - I promise to branch out soon!

Yesterday saw me travelling to Ballinteer and back via the Rosslare train and No.75 bus. a pleasant and uneventful journey to Dun Laoghaire and then off to catch the bus.

D%2527laire%2BStn.jpg

Outside the station on Crofton Road is the terminus of the 75 route. The sign outside the station sets the tone of what you can expect on the maintenance side from Irish Rail - really, how long has it been like this? Grafitti and a number of 1916 Proclamation posters stuck to the first thing greets you as you approach the station. Copy of this being sent to the CEO of IE later today.

D%2527Laire%2BBus%2Bshelter.jpg

The bus shelter and seating area (not sure who is responsible for it) should only be approached wearing a hazmat suit. Absolutely disgusting and my pic doesn't do justice to how awful it is. I don't even know what constitutes the slime but it looks like a job for ghostbusters. Copy of this pic on its way to Dublin Bus later.

Both pics illustrate what Sir Peter Parker - a former chairman of BR - once described as 'the crumbling edge of quality' and it's symptomatic of the malaise affecting much of CIE's operations.

On the return rail journey, the annoying announcements seemed to have been reduced but this varies depending on what set you are travelling in. At Wicklow we were informed of a bridge strike at Rathnew and that we would be held pending a line inspection. Regular, apologetic updates from the driver ensured that everybody was kept happy and after a short delay we continued on our way. Well done to all concerned.

Stephen15 · 22-08-2018 12:47pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

Returning to this subject and the Rosslare service yet again - I promise to branch out soon!

Yesterday saw me travelling to Ballinteer and back via the Rosslare train and No.75 bus. a pleasant and uneventful journey to Dun Laoghaire and then off to catch the bus.

Outside the station on Crofton Road is the terminus of the 75 route. The sign outside the station sets the tone of what you can expect on the maintenance side from Irish Rail - really, how long has it been like this? Grafitti and a number of 1916 Proclamation posters stuck to the first thing greets you as you approach the station. Copy of this being sent to the CEO of IE later today.

The bus shelter and seating area (not sure who is responsible for it) should only be approached wearing a hazmat suit. Absolutely disgusting and my pic doesn't do justice to how awful it is. I don't even know what constitutes the slime but it looks like a job for ghostbusters. Copy of this pic on its way to Dublin Bus later.

Both pics illustrate what Sir Peter Parker - a former chairman of BR - once described as 'the crumbling edge of quality' and it's symptomatic of the malaise affecting much of CIE's operations.

On the return rail journey, the annoying announcements seemed to have been reduced but this varies depending on what set you are travelling in. At Wicklow we were informed of a bridge strike at Rathnew and that we would be held pending a line inspection. Regular, apologetic updates from the driver ensured that everybody was kept happy and after a short delay we continued on our way. Well done to all concerned.

Someone actually mentioned this on a Dun Laoghaire group on Facebook recently saying they complained to the council and asked them to hose the place down, the council's reponse was that they wouldn't hose it down due to the water crisis.

The council are responsible for the shelter area in front of the station it's not an official DB bus stop. The official DB bus stop that is there has out of use for the last 7 or 8 years it should be removed but it is still providing ad revenue for DB and JCDecaux.

DL station has been bad for quite some time now. I seem to remember there used to be toilets there which were absolutely disgusting and the lifts are also in a bad way. It hasn't had a lick of paint or been given any sort of deep clean since they did up when they built the new ferry terminal which is over 20 years now at this stage.

Del.Monte · 01-10-2018 2:17pm

Re: Dun Laoghaire, and still no reply to my letter of 24th August and the offending posters, graffiti and filth still present. Another letter and email on their way today.

Del.Monte · 18-11-2018 3:26pm

A polite letter received from the CEO on the 28th September but I didn't get a chance to view the results until last Friday. The strangely designed station entrance had been repainted and looked a lot better but had already had a new flyer stuck to it. Meanwhile, the public seating area is still best avoided - perhaps it is a demarcation dispute between IE/Dublin Bus and DLRCC? A minor victory.

Jamie2k9 · 19-11-2018 7:01pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

A polite letter received from the CEO on the 28th September but I didn't get a chance to view the results until last Friday. The strangely designed station entrance had been repainted and looked a lot better but had already had a new flyer stuck to it. Meanwhile, the public seating area is still best avoided - perhaps it is a demarcation dispute between IE/Dublin Bus and DLRCC? A minor victory.

You should write back and tell him get the boys to do it properly!

Del.Monte · 19-11-2018 7:13pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

You should write back and tell him get the boys to do it properly!

Do what properly?

Jamie2k9 · 19-11-2018 7:31pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

Do what properly?

The painting...

Del.Monte · 19-11-2018 9:34pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

The painting...

Why don't you read what I write rather than looking to pick a row or be smart with every reply to anything that I post? I don't know why I bother replying to you - I did not say it hadn't been painted properly.

Del.Monte · 28-12-2018 8:15pm

At the risk of provoking others here, I return to the Rosslare line again.

Several recent trips over the Christmas period from both Enniscorthy and Connolly were notable for their overcrowding and general lack of proper cleaning. Seats covered in crumbs, litter on floors starting out from Connolly on Christmas Eve (18.38) - despite the set being away from the platform for servicing i.e. plenty of time for someone with a battery Dyson to do a good job.

ENNISCORTHY%2BFINAL.gif

That morning setting out from Enniscorthy all the lights on the little-used Up platform blazing away - multiply this across the system and that's some waste of electricity. Also in use at stations across the country are privately operated baited rodent traps - completely futile in most places especially Enniscorthy which is adjacent to the river and, in any event, has no area that can be penetrated by same rodents. A nice little earner for the contractor!

Grafitti has just started to rear its head in the station and God only knows what it will be like once the place is unmanned.

No timetables, poor and all as they are, for weeks now according to the staff but CIE in their wisdom have a nice stack of cards promoting the Samaritans - is there a message here for their beleaguered passengers?

Image%2B%25283%2529.jpg

This morning left my eldest son to the 8.06am service to Connolly - a miserable 2900 series railcar instead of an ICR.

This afternoon arrived at the station for the 13.41 service to Connolly. No driver showed up at Rosslare and the train eventually arrived at Enniscorthy at 15.00 - a mere 85 minutes late! A lot of passengers had in the meantime headed off for the bus, or cancelled their plans, and judging by the numbers on the train when it arrived at Enniscorthy many must have done the same in Wexford.

So, there we are, another day in the destruction of what was once a well used rail service but what the hell....... :mad:

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 28-12-2018 9:17pm

They've basically left the service to rot until they shut it down altogether. It's incredibly sad and disappointing. We should be protesting over this. It's simply unacceptable.

Del.Monte · 04-01-2019 9:15pm

Dun Laoghaire and Connolly again today. Glad to see that the exterior of Dun Laoghaire remains clean but as for the DART units themselves. :eek:

I was in Connolly for the 16.36 to Rosslare Harbour and saw at least 6 individual carriage units that should not have been in service as it gives the oxygen of publicity to the worthless little scrotes who do this sort thing and invites copycats.

Below is one example and is far from the worst one seen today. One unit had a complete side in silver - could have been Amtrak.

More letters will be penned to many people.

DART%2Bdefaced%2B1.jpg

Stephen15 · 04-01-2019 9:28pm

Have seen a number of Dart units lately sporting graffiti. Have IE laxed their policy about not running trains with graffiti. I saw an 8500 with graffiti the full carriage height and that has been going around nearly a month I'd say at this stage.

tabbey · 05-01-2019 12:14am

There was a 2900 with one coach totally covered with paint from top to bottom, mostly silver, the windows completely covered.

While not condoning robbers, at least they have some logic to their crimes. Graffiti painters have no such motivation, they are entirely out to cause damage and upset law abiding people. The lash and plenty of it, is the only thing such people understand.

IE 222 · 05-01-2019 2:23am

Is there a hotspot were this is happening. Surely better security practices could catch these in the act as im sure it takes a considerable amount of time to complete a whole Dart carriage.

SeanW · 06-01-2019 9:16pm

It's part of a wider problem. Yes, security could observe the little scrotes, but if security laid a hand on them the scrotes could claim that their rights were violated, disproportionate force and so on. And in any criminal case, some Free Legal Aid lawyer would claim that their client had a hard life or some such nonsense, and the scrotes would get the Probation Act. It's almost pointless with this kind of nonsense.

whisky_galore · 08-01-2019 10:03am

tabbey wrote: »

There was a 2900 with one coach totally covered with paint from top to bottom, mostly silver, the windows completely covered.

While not condoning robbers, at least they have some logic to their crimes. Graffiti painters have no such motivation, they are entirely out to cause damage and upset law abiding people. The lash and plenty of it, is the only thing such people understand.

Their motivation is akin to a dog pissing to mark it's territory.

goingnowhere · 08-01-2019 10:37am

Time for a bit of the electric fence, completely legal

IE 222 · 08-01-2019 12:34pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

Time for a bit of the electric fence, completely legal

Secretly electrify the rails at night and be done with them completely.

Effects · 11-01-2019 10:21am

Stephen15 wrote: »

Have IE laxed their policy about not running trains with graffiti. I saw an 8500 with graffiti the full carriage height and that has been going around nearly a month I'd say at this stage.

I think it's just getting done too often these days. Too many trains to take out of service. I can't understand why they can't do a quick acetone job so it's at least not identifiable. Denying what the painters are out to get in the first place.
Then finish the cleaning job at a more convenient time.

XPS_Zero · 12-01-2019 8:52pm

SeanW wrote: »

It's part of a wider problem. Yes, security could observe the little scrotes, but if security laid a hand on them the scrotes could claim that their rights were violated, disproportionate force and so on. And in any criminal case, some Free Legal Aid lawyer would claim that their client had a hard life or some such nonsense, and the scrotes would get the Probation Act. It's almost pointless with this kind of nonsense.

The problem is the courts won't punish them in any way or in a way that might prevent repeat offending.

Just to clear up a few things, cos I see people afraid to stand up for themselves all the time due to our insane justice system:

In fact legally anyone (security included) can make an arrest as long as they have observed someone breaking the law (no, you don't have to read them rights), again until they can be handed over to the cops (if you just suspect them of doing something and detain them that's unlawful detention and a serious crime in itself only the cops have that power).

You may use force to effect this arrest but only force that is 'reasonable in the circumstances' ie enough to stop them getting away ie restrain them don't beat them, when they are restrained don't hit them again.

I have seen 1-2 situations on the news where a Garda was struggling with someone and losing, you are allowed (though not required) to assist a police officer in making a lawful arrest, and you are allowed help them if they are being attacked just as you are any other person you see being assaulted. Again force used has to be proportionate to the situation. ie if the guys struggling to shove the cop aside to get up and run you can help pin him down, you can't grab a brick and smack him in the skull with it.
It's really common sense kinda stuff there is no actual definition of reasonable force etc they leave it up to the jury or the DPP if they wanna take the case against you at all, and they'll go with common sense you'd have to really go over the top to get yourself in trouble.

It is 100% legal to use (reasonable, proportionate) force to prevent or halt any crime including property damage, theft, assault and trespass.

Technically (and ridiculously) you still have a 'duty to retreat' under many circumstances if you are attacked on the street rather than staying and defending yourself but it's not likley a jury would convict you for not doing so in this country.

The rules protecting your own dwelling are totally different (since a new law in 2011) than all of the above ^.
There is no duty to retreat inside ones own home or if you are staying in someone elses with their consent. You can use whatever force you think necessary against an intruder, the reasonable force thing still applies but with a massive loophole, the force has to be reasonable "in the circumstances as he/she believes them to be". In other words if you honestly think your life or a family member or guests life is in danger you can use lethal force.
This means that while you don't have carte blanche, you have huge flexibility. A jury can't rule that your belief was not justified (ie if them or the judge thinks your assessment of the danger was wrong, that's their opinion they can't base a decision on it) but they can decide that you are lying in saying that your belief was honestly held.

For example if you are a 6ft rugby player who hits the gym for an hour a day and the intruder is a 15 year old skinny skanger with no weapon and you whack him over the head with a baseball bat and kill him instead of tying him up....that's gonna be considered excessive force.

But unless the power dynamic is that blatantly one sided you are pretty much fine. After the McNally case (during which Juries won the right to ignore judges directions and vote someone not guilty on the spirit of the law even if they were so on the letter of the law: called jury nullification and with a very mixed history)
the juries look at this stuff with no real sympathy for intruders.

Under this new law an intruder can't sue you (it was absurd they ever could), they can't claim a defense saying they were drunk or high and would never have been breaking in otherwise therefore they were an innocent and you the aggressor (all excuses that, amazingly, worked before). Their age is also irrelevant in weither you may use force on them.

Del.Monte · 11-02-2019 3:00pm

My eldest was planning to visit me last week and wanted to check out train times and this is what he found when I directed him to the Iarnrod Eireann timetable pages: http://www.irishrail.ie/media/08_dublin-rosslare_2.pdf

It was like that when I visited the site about a fortnight ago and it's still like it today - blank. No need for paper timetables at all. :rolleyes:

Jamie2k9 · 11-02-2019 4:16pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

My eldest was planning to visit me last week and wanted to check out train times and this is what he found when I directed him to the Iarnrod Eireann timetable pages: http://www.irishrail.ie/media/08_dublin-rosslare.pdf

It was like that when I visited the site about a fortnight ago and it's still like it today - blank. No need for paper timetables at all. :rolleyes:

Remove the -2 from your link, website showing the PDF.

http://www.irishrail.ie/media/08_dublin-rosslare.pdf

topnotch · 11-02-2019 5:36pm

I spotted a certain brightly coloured gentleman doing a spot of filming this afternoon not too far from Limerick Junction. :pac:

Del.Monte · 11-02-2019 6:52pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Remove the -2 from your link, website showing the PDF.

http://www.irishrail.ie/media/08_dublin-rosslare.pdf

That's very interesting but how should I know to do that when I click on IE's site link and it takes me to the blank page?

I forgot to mention, I reported the glitch to IE as well and it has now been fixed.

Del.Monte · 12-02-2019 3:57pm

Forgot to mention, I noticed one of the ‘new' Customer Reps on the Rosslare train a couple of weekends back but I may have missed him in the past as the individual wore nothing to differentiate him from any other CIE worker. Apart from a pointless announcement in Connolly about how the train was going to be very busy and not to have bags on seats (it was the Down evening train with hardly a soul onboard), there was no evidence of his presence. After Gorey what passes for cleaning on the train took place – an IE employee with a black refusack and pan/broom traversed the length of the train. Rediscover the Joy of the Train!

Del.Monte · 31-03-2019 7:01pm

Yes, it's me again and guess what, I was on the Rosslare line again. Anyway, Friday was a nice day for a trip on the line and all was well on the Dublin (Dun Laoghaire) leg of the journey - save for the 75 bus taking as long to get from Dun Laoghaire to Ballinteer as the journey from Enniscorthy to Dun Laoghaire. More to do with it being a Friday afternoon than anything else.

However, the return leg proved more irritating with the ATM at Ballally Luas Stop taking my money and not giving me a ticket or a refund. Anyway, eventually Connolly was reached with less than ten minutes to spare before the 18.35 southbound train for Wexford. I had a return ticket but try as I might I was unable to get two different machines to accept either of two €50 notes to buy my son an Open Return.

Panic began to set in as there's now no longer a manned ticket office but after much searching for change I was able to get a machine to accept the €13 that I could muster in change for a Child Single. I had intended to get him an Open Return for €18! So maximum stress plus a whopping extra payment that wasn't part of the plan. Surely it's not beyond the wit of CIE to have even one manned ticket counter in one of the busiest stations in the country?

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 31-03-2019 8:59pm

Do they seriously not have a ticket office open at Connolly? Are they for real? Unbelievable!

L1011 · 31-03-2019 9:58pm

The manned ticket office has been moved, the signs telling you that are quite poor. Its also possible it was actually closed; but I have never seen either the old one or the new one (which is only open a few days) closed.

Its now in a new block of offices beside the pharmacy along with a new information desk. You can't see these from the TVM line!

Del.Monte · 01-04-2019 12:07pm

L1011 wrote: »

The manned ticket office has been moved, the signs telling you that are quite poor. Its also possible it was actually closed; but I have never seen either the old one or the new one (which is only open a few days) closed.

Its now in a new block of offices beside the pharmacy along with a new information desk. You can't see these from the TVM line!

I certainly saw no sign of it and will go in search of it on my next visit.

L1011 · 04-04-2019 8:53am

The sign pointing to the new ticket office is only printed on one side. That won't have helped in locating it

Also the old office was still intact when you were there, it's now been dismantled

goingnowhere · 04-04-2019 1:20pm

The office has moved its now on the right not the left of the concourse

Working class heroes · 05-04-2019 2:50pm

Any reason why you didn't avail of a cheaper online rate? Not part of the plan?

Del.Monte · 05-04-2019 6:32pm

Working class heroes wrote: »

Any reason why you didn't avail of a cheaper online rate? Not part of the plan?

If that's addressed to me, it was because my travel plans were fluid. One of the advantages of rail travel has always been the ability to walk up at the last moment and get a ticket at the station.

Del.Monte · 18-07-2019 10:57am

Never one of my favourite places, but Connolly Station colloquially known as "the Hole" continues to offend many of the senses. Fumes from the many DMUs/Enterprise etc. and visually in terms of the general shabbiness which bedevils the place - graffiti, broken station canopies, drab painting, a complete lack of anything to brighten the place up, poor waiting facilities - including the Enterprise Lounge, poor announcements, lack of anyone in charge especially on the suburban platforms...

WATER%2BTOWER%2BBLUR.jpg

Above: on my most recent visit I photographed the former DSER turntable (now disconnected) and adjacent water tower - recently daubed by graffiti artists. The tower should be restored and maintained as an historic piece of railway infrastructure that we won't see the like of again. It speaks volumes about CIE's security that something at the heart of HQ can be defaced like this with all the CCTV etc.

DART%2BGRAF.jpg

Above: mild graffiti on a DART unit - covering the entire side of one set - but there are far worse examples in traffic.

Graffiti is now widespread on suburban stock both DART and diesel units - again highlighting a serious lack of security at storage sidings. I suspect from viewing YouTube that Bray is one of the black spots. Anyway, it gives me no pleasure to say it, but sooner later there are going to be fatalities involving those who regard the railway as a playground.

bi%2Bsign.jpg

Lastly, for now, I must comment on the bilingual virtue signalling (sorry) that Irish Rail persist with. I spotted the above nonsense on Platform.5. at Connolly, and in fact it took a while to find an English translation as there were a cluster of the Irish signs. Apart from providing railway memorabilia for eventual sale on eBay is there any point to this? I cannot ever remember hearing Irish spoken in public since I left school more than 40 years ago, and realistically if the company want to be genuinely bilingual they should go for Polish or Romanian versions of the signs. The emergency signage on the 22000 ICRs are a sight to behold - a masterclass of confusion and surely something which goes against the prevailing Health & Safety obsession of today's world?

railer201 · 19-07-2019 3:24pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

Lastly, for now, I must comment on the bilingual virtue signalling (sorry) that Irish Rail persist with. I spotted the above nonsense on Platform.5. at Connolly, and in fact it took a while to find an English translation as there were a cluster of the Irish signs. Apart from providing railway memorabilia for eventual sale on eBay is there any point to this? I cannot ever remember hearing Irish spoken in public since I left school more than 40 years ago, and realistically if the company want to be genuinely bilingual they should go for Polish or Romanian versions of the signs. The emergency signage on the 22000 ICRs are a sight to behold - a masterclass of confusion and surely something which goes against the prevailing Health & Safety obsession of today's world?

No excuses now - 'Google translate' is your friend.

Níl aon leithscéal ann anois - is é 'Google translate' do chara.

Del.Monte · 27-10-2019 1:05pm

9.40%2Bex%2BRosslare%2B27%2BOct%2B2019%2B%2528copy%2529.jpg

9.40 ex.Rosslare at Enniscorthy this morning.

Thankfully avoided this abomination this morning but I waved my eldest off from Enniscorthy on it - he was not best pleased. Apart from the crap stock he also has to change to a bus transfer Greystones/Bray due to engineering work. There's no excuse possible for the continued use of commuter railcars on long-distance services.

Jamie2k9 · 27-10-2019 1:11pm

It scheduled for a 22.

tabbey · 27-10-2019 10:44pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

It scheduled for a 22.

They probably used the 2900 set in Rosslare for the weekend, on the basis that few people would use it because of the bustitution up the line.

It is the usual attitude, any poo will do on the DSE section.

end of the road · 27-10-2019 11:38pm

tabbey wrote: »

They probably used the 2900 set in Rosslare for the weekend, on the basis that few people would use it because of the bustitution up the line.

It is the usual attitude, any poo will do on the DSE section.

not just the DSE. belfast is often inflicted with these heaps of junk.
nothing will be done though, nobody who can change things cares.

Jamie2k9 · 28-10-2019 5:31am

tabbey wrote: »

They probably used the 2900 set in Rosslare for the weekend, on the basis that few people would use it because of the bustitution up the line.

It is the usual attitude, any poo will do on the DSE section.

No, the ICR was scheduled to operate that service. Perhaps the failure of 17.10 to Sligo on Friday evening may have resulted in a 29000 taking its place or just a failure in Rosslare over weekend.

whisky_galore · 28-10-2019 7:25pm

railer201 wrote: »

No excuses now - 'Google translate' is your friend.

Níl aon leithscéal ann anois - is é 'Google translate' do chara.

Box ticking exercise. As useless as marking Bus Éireann buses oil and water fillers in Irish.

I've never seen a safety sign in any other workplace in Irish.

Grandeeod · 06-11-2019 9:02pm

I recently had to travel to Tralee from Portlaoise. I opted not to post around the time I made the rail journey to avoid any ranting and raving.:D:

The online single fare was great considering it was fairly last minute. The seat reservation system worked perfectly.

The ride quality on the MK4s is still diabolical. After only 13 years they are starting to look very poor too.

I was seated at the end of a coach next to the Snack car. The interconnecting door wasn't working which made it noisier and there was a regular stench from the toilet and not when the toilet door was opened by a passenger either. It just pumped into the air every 15 mins or so. It made me wince every time it happened.

The snack car was only serving the basics as it was a mid morning service. The offering looked fairly okay, but the guy serving had no interest. It may be privatized and staffed by Eastern Europeans, but it's no better than a lot of how it used to be 20 years ago. I do have some great memories of snack cars on Irish Rail, but lots of bad ones too. Customer service was non existent.

Arrived 20 mins late into Mallow, but there were a lot of obvious speed restrictions en route. I was actually glad to get off. So the Kerry connection? Well there was a visible train host with a thick Kerry accent on the platform. Looked very much like he had pride in his job. Directed and helped passengers. Is it a touristy thing I wonder??

Once we departed Mallow the host was on the blower introducing himself and offering assistance and the fact that he would be regularly walking through the train. Slight delay crossing a train in Rathmore. The host assured smoking passengers they had a little more time until the ex Tralee service arrived.

The Kerry branch is still a fooking laborious trip. Very slow. Nice scenery for tourists, but when you're on a business mission, you start to lose the will to live. A catering trolley passed through the train, which is a good thing, but he had no Prozac and never passed back my way either.

Arrival into Tralee was 15 mins late. No big deal. The overall experience in a small country like Ireland was, it's too long and from Dublin can be beaten by road, just about. The MK4 Cork train is a shameful thing altogether considering it's meant to be the premier service in the ROI and fairly new.

Conclusion - I'll continue driving when the train is an option.

Del.Monte · 07-11-2019 12:12am

I haven't been on the South Kerry road since the last days of the GSRPS fiasco i.e. 1988/89 and even when I was still an enthusiast it was about as inviting as the unending journey to Sligo. Sad to hear it's still as bad and even less interesting than in the days when there was still freight to be seen.

Losty Dublin · 07-11-2019 12:54am

Grandeeod wrote: »

Arrived 20 mins late into Mallow, but there were a lot of obvious speed restrictions en route. I was actually glad to get off. So the Kerry connection? Well there was a visible train host with a thick Kerry accent on the platform. Looked very much like he had pride in his job. Directed and helped passengers. Is it a touristy thing I wonder??

Once we departed Mallow the host was on the blower introducing himself and offering assistance and the fact that he would be regularly walking through the train. Slight delay crossing a train in Rathmore. The host assured smoking passengers they had a little more time until the ex Tralee service arrived.

I'll say this; there are lots of really decent people working at railway stations, and who are proud to be there and who are lovely to deal with. Some of those staff in the regional stations and services really do stand out and it is they who do so so much to make rail travel a pleasure.

Del.Monte · 08-12-2019 11:59am

Thrill-seeker that I am, I recently took the train southwards from Enniscorthy for a change. One of the most beautiful sections of the the Dublin/Rosslare line and that's saying something!

Arriving at Enniscorthy one is greeted by a range of posters extolling the beauty of the route and welcoming you to Rediscover the Joy of the Train - just kidding!

IE%2BPosters.jpg

The day return fare is €12.29 as compared with €9.50 by Bus Eireann and €10 by Wexford Bus - one has to ask why IE makes no attempt to at least match the fares of their competitors. On the marketing front both Bus Eireann and Wexford Bus have their leaflets at various locations throughout the town - IE have no leaflets anywhere. Despite this, on the day that I travelled there were several locals availing of the service.

A pleasant trip along the banks of the Slaney had me in Wexford all too soon. A whistle-stop visit to my bank and a couple of charity shops saw me back in the station with time to spare before the return train at 13.18. The tiny waiting room with its ticket office closed - of course - offers little comfort as anytime anybody moves the automatic doors open sucking any heat out. Whoever thought putting these doors in such a tiny room was a good idea should be shot.

WEX%2BDOOR.jpg

Preferring my own company I chose to go through and wait on the platform - only you can't anymore! Passengers are held back by gates like cattle and not allowed onto the platform until a few minutes before the train arrives. The station appears to have the same level of staffing as always including a stationmaster, ticket seller, and a depotman who sits in the old parcels office doing nothing in much the same way as in the past when the parcels office theoretically dealt with parcels.

Attractive blue signs tell me that I'm on Platform 1 - there is only one platform!

Wexford must surely win the award for having the most palisade fencing of any station on the IE network? As far as the eye can see, the prairie that was formerly the freight yard is covered in the stuff.

As an aside, how come the Rail Gourmet staff seem to have access to the unoccupied drivers cab on the ICRs?

L1011 · 08-12-2019 1:30pm

Automatic doors would be a disability access requirement

thewexman93 · 09-12-2019 4:51pm

Despite some of the negative feedback about the Enniscorthy to Connolly journey written here, I was a passenger on board yesterday for a return trip. First train to Connolly and the last back to enniscorthy.

Pleasent on board experience, train pretty full on the way up, particularly from Gorey to Connolly. Christmas shoppers no doubt. No complains about the rolling stock or the staff or the facilities.

Arrived in Connolly just in time to see the RPSI Santa special standing at platform 2, and then departing minutes later.

Return journey, on board experience again good, bit slower on the way out of the city than on the way in. Was the first time I could hear the on board announcer, because he made sure he spoke slowly and clearly for the benefit of passengers. If only others would do the same. Arrived back in enniscorthy roughly on time, maybe a minute or two late. Nothing to complain about.

Other than the journey times in particular the slowness of this route between arklow and rathdrum, and from greystones to Connolly, this is a pleasant way to travel.

Double tracking bray to greystones and triple tracking from BlackRock to dun laoghaire would make this the best route in the country. Along with a mid morning weekday service from Rosslare.

Jamie2k9 · 09-12-2019 11:02pm

Del.Monte wrote: »

Thrill-seeker that I am, I recently took the train southwards from Enniscorthy for a change. One of the most beautiful sections of the the Dublin/Rosslare line and that's saying something!

Arriving at Enniscorthy one is greeted by a range of posters extolling the beauty of the route and welcoming you to Rediscover the Joy of the Train - just kidding!

The day return fare is €12.29 as compared with €9.50 by Bus Eireann and €10 by Wexford Bus - one has to ask why IE makes no attempt to at least match the fares of their competitors. On the marketing front both Bus Eireann and Wexford Bus have their leaflets at various locations throughout the town - IE have no leaflets anywhere. Despite this, on the day that I travelled there were several locals availing of the service.

A pleasant trip along the banks of the Slaney had me in Wexford all too soon. A whistle-stop visit to my bank and a couple of charity shops saw me back in the station with time to spare before the return train at 13.18. The tiny waiting room with its ticket office closed - of course - offers little comfort as anytime anybody moves the automatic doors open sucking any heat out. Whoever thought putting these doors in such a tiny room was a good idea should be shot.

Preferring my own company I chose to go through and wait on the platform - only you can't anymore! Passengers are held back by gates like cattle and not allowed onto the platform until a few minutes before the train arrives. The station appears to have the same level of staffing as always including a stationmaster, ticket seller, and a depotman who sits in the old parcels office doing nothing in much the same way as in the past when the parcels office theoretically dealt with parcels.

Attractive blue signs tell me that I'm on Platform 1 - there is only one platform!

Wexford must surely win the award for having the most palisade fencing of any station on the IE network? As far as the eye can see, the prairie that was formerly the freight yard is covered in the stuff.

As an aside, how come the Rail Gourmet staff seem to have access to the unoccupied drivers cab on the ICRs?

They have to use up the budget on fencing for something. Some of the carry on from them is disgraceful.

Great Railway Journeys on CIE

Comments