Flying Snail Posted September 11 Posted September 11 1 hour ago, airfixfan said: Belfast Telegraph today stares railway station is delayed by weight restrictions. We can rule out CAFs and ICRs so must be a 201s issue.? Link here for those interested: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/translink-tight-lipped-on-track-services-despite-irish-rail-listing-direct-train-service-from-october/a47858377.html Quote
Colin_McLeod Posted September 11 Posted September 11 4 hours ago, airfixfan said: Belfast Telegraph today stares railway station is delayed by weight restrictions. We can rule out CAFs and ICRs so must be a 201s issue.? Anything to do with tbe Blackstaff culvert? Quote
Mayner Posted September 12 Posted September 12 8 hours ago, airfixfan said: Belfast Telegraph today stares railway station is delayed by weight restrictions. We can rule out CAFs and ICRs so must be a 201s issue.? Long establised Railway (and other Complex Organisations) of the various departments functions not talking or listening to each outher. One of the best examples was the Highland Railway River Class locos which were rejected by the Civil Engineer (in the middle of WW1) for being too heavy and then sold to the Calledonian, only to be used on the Highland Main line in LMS days. The Highland Chief Mechanical engineer Smith was forced to resign/sacked although he appears to have believed the Civil Engineer had agreed to the use of the new locos. Experienced a similar problem with a 'communications breakdown" as main contractor on a construction project for Dublin Corporation about 20 years ago, found out an early stage that the Drainage Department had refused to sign off on the project as a result of a dispute/disagreement with the development arm of the Corporation our client. The Drainage Department agreed to inspect the drainage works as they progressed on a 'without predjudice" basis as work progressed, eventually the Corporation as client and developer agreed to the Drainage Departments requirements and as main contractor carried out the additional works as a variation and received an extension of time to complete. Possibly a disagreement on "who" was expected to fund the additional cost of the infrastructure required to allow the Enterprise to run into Grand Central vs the CAF stock within NI, or possibly a disagreement on who was going to pay for upgrading Belfast Council owned infrastructure. Quote
airfixfan Posted September 12 Posted September 12 8 hours ago, Colin_McLeod said: Anything to do with tbe Blackstaff culvert? Appears to be the concrete apron installed at the station throat Quote
Colin_McLeod Posted September 12 Posted September 12 3 hours ago, airfixfan said: Appears to be the concrete apron installed at the station throat What will that involve? If the track is on top of it could that mean lifting the track, redoing the apron and track relaying and commissioning? OR Enterprise returns to Lanyon Place. Either way, lots of egg on faces Quote
jhb171achill Posted September 12 Posted September 12 2 hours ago, Colin_McLeod said: What will that involve? If the track is on top of it could that mean lifting the track, redoing the apron and track relaying and commissioning? OR Enterprise returns to Lanyon Place. Either way, lots of egg on faces They should put the Enterprise back to Central Lanyon straight away. 1 3 Quote
airfixfan Posted September 13 Posted September 13 Translink/DFI have called in the ORR and Network Rail to investigate. Little ballast on the concrete apron due to weight restrictions. Platforms 5 to 8 most affected Quote
Horsetan Posted September 13 Posted September 13 On 12/9/2024 at 3:18 AM, Mayner said: Long establised Railway (and other Complex Organisations) of the various departments functions not talking or listening to each outher. One of the best examples was the Highland Railway River Class locos which were rejected by the Civil Engineer (in the middle of WW1) for being too heavy and then sold to the Calledonian, only to be used on the Highland Main line in LMS days. The Highland Chief Mechanical engineer Smith was forced to resign/sacked although he appears to have believed the Civil Engineer had agreed to the use of the new locos.... I think the Spanish had a similar problem a year or so ago, when new stock built for a particular route was found to be too wide.... 1 Quote
jhb171achill Posted September 13 Posted September 13 1 hour ago, Horsetan said: I think the Spanish had a similar problem a year or so ago, when new stock built for a particular route was found to be too wide.... All of this is SO elementary!! They’ll be ordering meter gauge trains for the Cork line next…..! 1 Quote
Horsetan Posted September 13 Posted September 13 1 hour ago, jhb171achill said: ....They’ll be ordering meter gauge trains for the Cork line next…..! Be careful what you wish for.... 2 Quote
airfixfan Posted September 13 Posted September 13 (edited) 340 M£ for a new world class transport Hub with no trains allowed and no Glider connections to the City Centre. Eourops bus station still open but no buses which are using a still incomplete new bus station! Translink said it would sorted by Xmas but could say which year! 11 hours ago, Horsetan said: I think the Spanish had a similar problem a year or so ago, when new stock built for a particular route was found to be too wide.... For the tunnels! Edited September 13 by airfixfan 2 Quote
jhb171achill Posted September 13 Posted September 13 (edited) 25 minutes ago, airfixfan said: 340 M£ for a new world class transport Hub with no trains allowed and no Glider connections to the City Centre. Eourops bus station still open but no buses which are using a still incomplete new bus station! Translink said it would sorted by Xmas but could say which year! For the tunnels! Not the first controversial thing of this nature. CIE ordering the seven extra G class even as all the work intended for them was disappearing, and NIR ignoring loco engineer's advice in buying Hunslets for the Enterprise in 1970 instead of 181s..... I wish I could remember the details now, but years ago Senior had some tale about funding PW work on the Irish North, which led to him, as engineer in charge, having to go to Amiens Street to seek out the financial guys to tell them in no uncertain terms that their planning of budgets was laughably inadequate for whatever it was that he was supposed to be doing....... he won his battle and the purse was opened........ Edited September 13 by jhb171achill Quote
Mayner Posted September 13 Posted September 13 Big international names with exoerience in similar projects involved in the design of Grand Central https://www.mcaslan.co.uk/work/belfast-grand-central , so not exactly unfamiliar with rail work. Interestingly although Irish Rail was often the Government's whipping boy for waste and in-efficiency during the late 1990s-early 2000s, IE found that it could carry out major projects such as the Heuston re-modelling of the early 2000s, Mini-CTC and PW upgrades at a lower cost and more efficienty than by using external consultants and contractors. 2 Quote
IrishTrainScenes Posted September 14 Posted September 14 I’m hearing Enterprise will NOT use the new station.. FFS!!! Quote
jhb171achill Posted September 14 Posted September 14 On 13/9/2024 at 9:41 AM, airfixfan said: Translink/DFI have called in the ORR and Network Rail to investigate. Little ballast on the concrete apron due to weight restrictions. Platforms 5 to 8 most affected They need to call in the Mad Hatter, and set up a trial. 1 Quote
DSERetc Posted September 18 Posted September 18 Grand Central Station is claimed to be the largest 'Integrated' station in Ireland. It may be for passengers, (Sorry, Customers), living outside Belfast but not for those in Belfast. Passengers arriving into GCS on a Translink Ulsterbus or Gold liner (the blue buses), for example from Ballynahinch and wishing to go to Omagh will only have to walk from one bus stand to another in the same building. However Belfast residents using the Translink Metro bus (the pink city buses) or the Glider will still have to walk about a quarter of a mile to the station. That is hardly 'Integrated'! There are Glider and Metrobus stops just outside Lanyon Place station. Rail passengers will have to change trains if they want to continue their journey as the through Portadown - Bangor service is ended. At present, dropping off or picking up passengers by private car at GCS seems to be discouraged due to the distance that they have to walk to the station. {Note. There are at least two Metrobus services using GCS, one going to the George Best City Airport and another to the Stena Terminal.) DSERetc 1 Quote
airfixfan Posted September 19 Posted September 19 (edited) Chris Conway claimed on radio that it would cost 50M£ to extend the Glider about 409 yards to serve GC .Currently only 16 bus stands out of 26 in use. No retail apart from a pop up coffee stand . No drop off point for taxis,noi cycle storage not convenient and still no trains! Edited September 19 by airfixfan 1 Quote
Tractionman Posted September 19 Posted September 19 8 hours ago, DSERetc said: the through Portadown - Bangor service is ended. that is a retrograde step, so all NI rail services will be starting and ending at GC? is the idea of this to minimise knock-on delays? it'll be a nuisance for those coming from the Lisburn direction, wanting to go to City Hospital, Botanic, Lanyon and TQ, all basically city centre stations but now requiring a change of train to reach from GC... so much for progress 1 1 Quote
jhb171achill Posted September 20 Posted September 20 On 19/9/2024 at 8:06 AM, Tractionman said: that is a retrograde step, so all NI rail services will be starting and ending at GC? is the idea of this to minimise knock-on delays? it'll be a nuisance for those coming from the Lisburn direction, wanting to go to City Hospital, Botanic, Lanyon and TQ, all basically city centre stations but now requiring a change of train to reach from GC... so much for progress VERY much a retrograde step - downright ridiculous, as are the lack of glider* and bus connections in the city. Very bad planning indeed. Have they learned nothing since 1976? (* “Glider” = wannabe luas) 1 Quote
airfixfan Posted September 20 Posted September 20 None of the new retail units in GC open. 60% of bus stands open. No place to leave bikes ans no taxi drop off point. Did I mention no trains 2? Progress! 2 Quote
Tractionman Posted October 3 Posted October 3 (edited) the latest https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3wd98d2n2o Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said: “We are pleased to announce that good progress has been made on the Rail Safety Certification process. “While our teams across Translink and Department for Infrastructure will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the completion of this process, we are now taking appropriate steps to plan the start of rail services from Grand Central Station on Sunday, 13th October.” He added: “The launch of an hourly Enterprise service between the island’s two capital cities is being planned for Tuesday, 29th October.” Edited October 3 by Tractionman 3 Quote
Tractionman Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Well today's the day apparently: A new rail timetable will be in place on the Translink website from 7 October. Let's see... Quote
jhb171achill Posted October 7 Posted October 7 (edited) 10 hours ago, Tractionman said: Well today's the day apparently: A new rail timetable will be in place on the Translink website from 7 October. Let's see... I think we’ll know for absolute certain about the new timetable, new station and Enterprise timings the day after they actually come into operation. Edited October 7 by jhb171achill 1 Quote
Markleman Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Well, if the new timetable is there today I cannot find it. It may well be there as I often struggle to find things on Translink's site. I am trying to plan a trip from Glasgow to Belfast by bus and then on to the train. I cannot book anything after this weekend and the new station is not available on the bus locations served even though the bus station is open. I have to enter Europa bus station and then it allows me 3 minutes to walk from there to a station I cannot book from. Then I cannot book in advance of this weekend anyway. I want to go on to Dubin and return by train. The existing timetable shows the buses leaving Newry after the train arrives, but they appear four columns before the train, which is confusing to say the least. My connection to Bangor leaves five minute after the train from bus connection from Newry arrives at "Grand" Central, and of course the train leaves from Lanyon. So at the moment the plan is to use a competitor's bus from Glasgow and on to Dublin. I would use the train but without a timetable for next week how can I plan anything? Doesn't matter, i cannot book on the Translink website after this weekend anyway. So the timetable would be useful in theory by no help in practice. As the Translink website says "Plan your journey before you travel". If only I could. 2 Quote
Tractionman Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Yes no sign of any timetables yet. Rail n Sail Glasgow to Dublin, too late now I know but is routing via Holyhead an option or is it always Stena from Cairnryan? Quote
jhb171achill Posted October 7 Posted October 7 3 hours ago, Markleman said: Well, if the new timetable is there today I cannot find it. It may well be there as I often struggle to find things on Translink's site. I am trying to plan a trip from Glasgow to Belfast by bus and then on to the train. I cannot book anything after this weekend and the new station is not available on the bus locations served even though the bus station is open. I have to enter Europa bus station and then it allows me 3 minutes to walk from there to a station I cannot book from. Then I cannot book in advance of this weekend anyway. I want to go on to Dubin and return by train. The existing timetable shows the buses leaving Newry after the train arrives, but they appear four columns before the train, which is confusing to say the least. My connection to Bangor leaves five minute after the train from bus connection from Newry arrives at "Grand" Central, and of course the train leaves from Lanyon. So at the moment the plan is to use a competitor's bus from Glasgow and on to Dublin. I would use the train but without a timetable for next week how can I plan anything? Doesn't matter, i cannot book on the Translink website after this weekend anyway. So the timetable would be useful in theory by no help in practice. As the Translink website says "Plan your journey before you travel". If only I could. Indeed. Once all this is finished, and normal services are operating in and out of Grand Circus, I think lessons ought to be learned about how not to plan a new station, how not to build it, how not to advertise it, how not to predict dates, and how not to plan services. As of now, I drive or go by bus when I'm going between Dublin and Belfast. Quote
Tractionman Posted October 7 Posted October 7 2 minutes ago, jhb171achill said: As of now, I drive or go by bus when I'm going between Dublin and Belfast. I've taken to driving to Newry and using the massive car park at the station and getting the Enterprise south from there, though I'd rather get the train all the way from Bangor... 1 Quote
jhb171achill Posted October 7 Posted October 7 8 minutes ago, Tractionman said: I've taken to driving to Newry and using the massive car park at the station and getting the Enterprise south from there, though I'd rather get the train all the way from Bangor... Indeed. Well, hopefully it won't be too long; next time I'm due to go to Belfast will be early December. Fingers crossed! 1 Quote
airfixfan Posted October 8 Posted October 8 No timetables yet for Translink so use Irish Rail website instead which shows a 2 hourly Enterprise from Grand Circus from October 13th. The hourly Enterprise in theory!starts from October 29th Quote
Tractionman Posted October 8 Posted October 8 (edited) I see the Bangor line is up https://www.translink.co.uk/timetables?routeHashCode=70fd172c154ac5a62e10594170110f3dd8a833db7887dcba521cd52c91a2a32e&transportMode=Train&route=T0&direction=H and now Portadown line... seems like Translink are popping up the TTs bit by bit... Enterprise also now there from Sunday 13 October 2024 - To Sunday 27 October 2024: Edited October 8 by Tractionman update 1 Quote
DERAILED Posted October 8 Posted October 8 (edited) 4 hours ago, Tractionman said: I see the Bangor line is up https://www.translink.co.uk/timetables?routeHashCode=70fd172c154ac5a62e10594170110f3dd8a833db7887dcba521cd52c91a2a32e&transportMode=Train&route=T0&direction=H and now Portadown line... seems like Translink are popping up the TTs bit by bit... Enterprise also now there from Sunday 13 October 2024 - To Sunday 27 October 2024: Is that timetable some sort of junior enthusiast production or am I missing something? Train Station, Rail Station, Station and Dundalk Rail Halt??? Not to mention that the service was faster 30/40 years ago. Edited October 8 by DERAILED 1 Quote
Tractionman Posted October 8 Posted October 8 2 minutes ago, DERAILED said: Is that timetable some sort of junior enthusiast production or am I missing something? Train Station, Rail Station, Station and Dundalk Rail Halt??? Not to mention that the service was faster 30/40 years ago. hey don't shoot the messenger!! I have no idea, but the Dundalk Rail 'Halt' anachronism has been brought up before in these parts... 1 Quote
DERAILED Posted October 8 Posted October 8 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Tractionman said: hey don't shoot the messenger!! I have no idea, but the Dundalk Rail 'Halt' anachronism has been brought up before in these parts... I wasn't! Incidentally why is Dublin shown as Connolly not Dublin (Connolly) and for inconsistency why are Dundalk and Drogheda not give their pointless 1916 'patriot' names to really confuse people. You know - Clarke Rail Halt instead of Dundalk Rail Halt.... Edited October 8 by DERAILED 1 Quote
Newtoncork Posted October 8 Posted October 8 So if I put my hand out at the 'halt' the train will stop? When I took the Kyle of Lochalsh line in Scotland, that was the case! 1 Quote
hurricanemk1c Posted October 8 Posted October 8 2 hours ago, DERAILED said: I wasn't! Incidentally why is Dublin shown as Connolly not Dublin (Connolly) and for inconsistency why are Dundalk and Drogheda not give their pointless 1916 'patriot' names to really confuse people. You know - Clarke Rail Halt instead of Dundalk Rail Halt.... Because there's only one station in Drogheda and Dundalk, whereas there's three in Dublin that officially start with "Dublin". As for the others, that's questions for Translink directly 2 Quote
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