hurricanemk1c

Whilst the agreement is that NIR do coaches, IÉ do locos, IÉ refurbished 6 locos in addition to providing the ICR. In trying to defend NIR, you've said exactly why they should NOT have been given the contract for the coaches - way too little infrastructure and staff, componded by poor management on the project team. Would have been easier to ship them to the UK to somewhere like Wabtec Kilmarnock (who have extensive experience in refurbs) and probably quicker and at this point cheaper. However I suspect the EU funding restrictions prevented that And it should also be said that Inchicore did a van and 2 coaches (9606, 9212, 9214) in 2 months due to the problems at York Road

There are still plans to do Mark 4 clearance to Belfast as far as I am aware, but no dates or anything set in stone. Bear in mind it took nearly 7 years to clear the ICR's into Northern Ireland (and the first 6 sets were pre-fitted with all the necessary kit). Putting ICR's on for an hourly schedule I don't think will work. The sets need to be Premier Class and at the present moment (with the 5ICR covering one DD diagram), 9 out of the 10 sets are used every day (an impressive availability figure that rarely seems to drop - a credit to Drogheda and LTCD)

The 'ton' can be done at the following locations: Dublin-Cork-Dublin Down Direction Signal HK101 - South of Hazelhatch (MP 2 3/4 - 10 1/4) (Fast Line Only) Hazelhatch - Sallins (MP 13 1/4 - 16 1/4) Cherryville Jn - Portarlington (MP 32 1/2 - 41 1/8) Portarlington - Portlaoise (MP 41 3/4 - 50 3/4) Portlaoise - Ballybrophy (MP 66 - 69) Lisduff - Thurles (MP 75 3/4 - 77) Lisduff - Thurles (MP 79 - 80) Thurles - Limerick Jn (MP 104 - 105 3/4) Up Direction Limerick Jn - Thurles (MP 106 1/4 - 104) Lisduff - Ballybrophy (MP 69 - 66) Portlaoise - Portarlington (MP 50 3/4 - 41 3/4) Portarlington - Cherryville Jn (MP 41 1/8 - 32 1/2) Hazelhatch - Cherry Orcard (MP 10 1/2 - 3) (Fast Line Only) Kildare-Kilkenny-Kildare Down Direction Cherryville Jn - Athy (MP 34 - 35 1/4) Cherryville Jn - Athy (MP 36 - 37 3/8) Cherryville Jn - Athy (MP 37 3/4 - 38 5/8) Cherryville Jn - Athy (MP 40 5/8 - 43 1/8) Athy - Carlow (MP 46 7/8 - 49) Athy - Carlow (MP 49 1/4 - 50 1/2) Athy - Carlow (MP50 3/4 - 51 3/8) Up Direction Athy - Carlow (MP 51 1/2 - 50 3/4) Athy - Carlow (MP 50 1/2 - 49 1/4) Athy - Carlow (MP 49 - 46 7/8) Athy - Cherryville Jn (MP 43 1/8 - 40 5/8) Athy - Cherryville Jn (MP 38 3/4 - 38) Athy - Cherryville Jn (MP 37 1/2 - 36) Athy - Cherryville Jn (MP 35 1/2 - 34 1/4) Loco hauled limited to 80 mph, so actually would be slightly faster due to the length of the 100mph sections Some sections of Portarlington-Galway are also 100 mph, although loco hauled stock limited to 80 mph

Merry Christmas all!

Good morning, A few from last week, mainly from Heuston and Portlaoise. Not a lot as that week was my exam week at college View them all here - Regards, Kieran

Not exactly first look - Chris Playfair has been out and about for a while getting shots of them: Ah well, better late than never for the Indo. and I'm not quite sure about the opening picture! Bets this will be in service before the last refurbished DD set?

It's one of those things that will never be agreed upon. Whilst I like the Mark 4 sets, they aren't as comfortable in my opinion (in seat terms or internal layout) as the ICR fleet. Temperature has never been a problem for me, whilst I've seen a few people complain about it

I'd love to know why people have such an issue with ICR's. The only reason I can think of is that they replaced loco hauled sets. Before anyone says 'you haven't used them', as of yesterday I've done 20,713.82 miles on the things, over 227 vehicles. I have had NO problem reading, writing, using a phone, sleeping, talking, listening to music or anything like that. Same with the Mark 4's. They are by far the best option for an intercity railcar. Yes you do get some vibrations and rattles from the engine, but compared to some in the UK you would hardly notice it. The problem is not the stock but the track. One section that springs to mind in Monasterevin in the Down direction. Flung around at speed regardless of what you are in

Thanks for that - forgotten about DJ. Probably since Dapol announced the N gauge model a good few years ago (and still waiting), just missed the OO annoucement

Who had announced the 59? Knew Dapol were doing one in N gauge for a good while now

Good afternoon all, A few shots from Thursday to start off All shots here - And shots from yesterday's last Saturday of Santa Special trains between Pearse and Greystones. A credit to all who made it happen from both Irish Rail and the RPSI. Most trains ran to time (or a few minutes late), with only one major failure. All shots here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/hurricanemk1c/sets/72157661652883869/with/23425542700/ Regards, Kieran

And I would rather have a loco under running in trials to be as near as possible (with the least distruption if it fails) to Inchicore. Imagine it sitting down around Howth Jn in the rush hour! Great shots as always Wanderer

Mainly because the things don't work! The one on the Mountrath road (on the other side) used to detect a tree when it worked. As a result of all these false warnings, people ignored them and hit it.

Good evening all, A few shots from today's main event - 228's return to service after it's Enterprise overhaul, along with some of workings of interest. Click on any of the photos to view them full-size Full set here - Regards, Kieran

Good morning all, A few shots (and a video) from yesterday's Santa Special workings. Shots include locations such as: Connolly Pearse Bray Salthill and Monkstown Video - click on it to view it See all of the shots / video here - Regards, Kieran

Good evening all, A few shots from Portarlington on Wednesday 2nd, showing the 1020 North Wall - Ballina IWT Liner recessed and departing from the Down Loop. Shots also cover the 1500 Heuston - Cork and 086 arriving light engine Click on the link to see them all - Regards, Kieran

Good evening all, A few shots from last Saturday that I've just got around to sorting. Shots include: LUAS Cross City work Number 4 at Pearse on the first Santa Special Refurbished Enterprise Boyne Viaduct shots Connolly with 078+Number 4 Pearse again Heuston All shots here - Regards, Kieran

Good morning all, It may be wet outside but here's some shots that might make up for it! Once again, my college course in the Dublin Institute of Technology allowed a visit to somewhere a little restricted - Inchicore. As a condition of posting these online, I can't post shots of the really, really interesting stuff (stored 201's and 141's). Shots include: 082 in Diesel 1 surrounded by bogies 8127 in the Fleet Casaulty Repair shop 228 shunting by the Running Shed 221+222 in the Ramps All shots can be seen here - Regards, Kieran

The barrier staff at Connolly weren't impressed to say the least!

Evening all, A few shots from my college trip to the LUAS Red Cow depot on the Red Line (ah well, it's hard work sometimes!). Shots taken with permission on a guided tour and uploaded with permission See all of them here - Regards, Kieran

Trinty College specials to Limerick. Seemed to enjoy it from what I've heard

No - if you look at this picture ( ), that box is for the Train Management System (TMS). Without it, the driver in the 201 cannot communicate with the rest of the train. Plus you've got all the NIR Safety Equipment, such as AWS, TPWS, Train Radio etc. Aclass007 is correct - 201-205/210-214 are all out of service for a number of years now

Click on the photo for details

Good evening all, A few shots from yesterday, featuring the transfer of 9210 and 9212 from Connolly to Belfast York Road, having undergone body refurbishment and painting at Inchicore. Shots include: Connolly Drogheda Heuston Newbridge Portarlington To view all the images, click here - Regards, Kieran