Belfast City Airport 'Rail Link'.....

[Patrick Davey]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c784732yy5yo

Not an actual link though, going by the 'artist impression' - looks like they are planning to move Sydenham station closer to the airport and make it easier for people to access the terminal from the newly-located station.

Although that would certainly be an improvement!

Edited September 16 by Patrick Davey

[Tullygrainey]

[airfixfan]

Only in NI would they build a new Airport Terminal and not move the railway station over a decade ago!

[Tractionman]

It's about time but you think they'd got the train running on the right line at least 

If that's the airport off to the right that train is heading to Bangor!

[Tullygrainey]

Maybe, but I think we may be looking at the rear of the train. I don't see a driver and the destination board seems to say Central.

[Tractionman]

41 minutes ago, Tullygrainey said:

Maybe, but I think we may be looking at the rear of the train. I don't see a driver and the destination board seems to say Central.

I was going by the running lights!

[jhb171achill]

Surely it's heading to Belfast. The lights are wrong; that would be the back of the train on that line. The airport is on the down side of the railway. The main road, which that long passenger bridge crosses, is behind the shelters shown on the down side.

[popeye]

It is only an artists impression.

[Tractionman]

2 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

The lights are wrong; that would be the back of the train on that line. 

Exactly!

[Flying Snail]

Ah lads ..  a marketing image developed for an airport operator has messed up the running lights on a train.  Is anyone really surprised? We're definitely heading down the wrong track if we let that derail the discussion on what (if it goes ahead) will only be the first air-rail link on the island 

[Patrick Davey]

19 minutes ago, Flying Snail said:

Ah lads ..  a marketing image developed for an airport operator has messed up the running lights on a train.  Is anyone really surprised? We're definitely heading down the wrong track if we let that derail the discussion on what (if it goes ahead) will only be the first air-rail link on the island 

The puns are taking off now!

[Flying Snail]

I was trying to be subtle as I didn't want to cause any turbulence. Really we should be glad they used a 4000 and not a 29000 

[Mol_PMB]

It's plane that this thread is starting to runway off topic.

[Patrick Davey]

Sure it'll give us a lift.

[Tullygrainey]

13 hours ago, popeye said:

It is only an artists impression.

Actually it’s a flight of fancy

[Patrick Davey]

5 hours ago, Tullygrainey said:

Actually it’s a flight of fancy

Taxi(way) for Alan!

Edited September 18 by Patrick Davey

[Galteemore]

 

17 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said:

Taxi(way) for Alan!

Jet 2, Brute ? 

Edited September 18 by Galteemore

[Patrick Davey]

58 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

 

Jet 2, Brute ? 

Take it Easy(jet)

[Patrick Davey]

A friend of mine was awarded a third level qualification in Airline Studies.

It was a BA.

Edited September 19 by Patrick Davey

[DSERetc]

I wonder if Translink is really serious in proposing an Airport Halt on a busy commuter line.  This plan would be excellent for the projected 2,200 airport staff who could commute to work every day.  A commuter train can stop, unload, load passengers and be on its way in 1 minute.   Commuters are agile, have few, if any, bags and can move quickly.  Commuter trains are designed to make the best use of the available space to fit in as many passengers as possible.

Would it not be better to leave Sydenham Halt to serve the commuters of Sydenham.  Then build a spur line over or under the A1 road to a dedicated Airport Station.   Run a dedicated airport shuttle train service non stop between Grand Central Station and the Airport.   These trains would have adequate luggage space for the cases, bags, buggies, guitars and other things the passengers may have as well as space for themselves and their children.    The airline passengers, going to or coming from the airport, would not have to squeeze on to crowded commuter trains during morning or evening rush hours.  There could be a hundred or more, depending on the flight schedules. The figure of 7 million airline passengers going through Belfast City Airport is projected for 2040.

With a dedicated airport station and train service, the airline passengers, burdened with bags and (or) children, would not delay crowded commuter trains by trying to get on or off them and they would have a non-stop run on their way to or from the airport.

Money needs to be spent to do the job properly.  To skimp and build a simple Airport Halt on a busy commuter line will leave many commuters and airline passengers frustrated and angry, especially at rush hours.

DSERetc

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