According to the Sunday Tribune, the design for the railway from Dunboyne to Navan is progressing well and Irish Rail have decided on a preferred route for the line which largely follows the original route.
Archive for October, 2009
Navan Rail line set to be ready ahead of schedule
Sunday, October 25th, 2009Fatigued LUAS drivers
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009The Irish Independent has reported that there is the risk of fatigue affected LUAS drivers due to excessive periods of time between breaks on their shift.
Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Sunday, October 18th, 2009There was nothing special about this bridge - however, they might want to check out the signage. On one side of the bridge, the height sign gives a height of 10’4”, on the other side it states 11’3”.
See photos here
Tralee to Fenit Railway
Friday, October 16th, 2009The Irish Times has an article today about plans to convert the Tralee to Fenit line to a walkway. I fully support the conversion of closed and abandoned former lines to walkways, however, Tralee to Fenit is still officially open. Not even bothering with the procedure to abandon the line?
Dempsey awaits report on fraud in Irish Rail
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009The Irish Examiner has reported that the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey is awaiting a report into allegations of fraud and procurement issues in Irish Rail.
Don’t moon at the trains
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009Not in Germany, anyway. Reuters has reported on a story about a student put off a train for not having a ticket to travel. His response was to moon at the train but ended up getting his clothes caught in the train as it left the station and was dragged along for 200 metres before a considerate passenger pulled the emergency cord to stop the train.
He faces multiple criminal charges and could face civil action for compensation too.
Fingal Independent - Malahide Viaduct
Saturday, October 10th, 2009The Fingal Independent of 23rd September 2009 has two articles concerning the Malahide Viaduct collapse.
The first concerns the cause of the collapse which has been put down to scouring.
The second is an article which shows why county councillors should not actually be vested with any powers. Read the article and go figure.
We’re not alone!
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009I found this site today. It is a relief to see that I am not alone in picking out the problems on Ireland’s railways.
Translink launch integrated smartcard
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009They have beaten CIE/RPA to it. The BBC has reported on the launch of a smartcard for daily, weekly or monthly travel on Translink bus and rail services. Prices appear quite reasonable and are broken into 3 zones as follows:
Zone one covers Metro bus services in Belfast and Ulsterbus services operating in the city, railway services between Belfast and Holywood, Jordanstown, Mossley West and Derriaghy and all stops in between, as well as the Airport Express 600 service which covers George Best Belfast City Airport.
Adult top-ups cost £5 a day, £20 for a week and £70 a month.
Zone two is valid on Metro bus services, rail journeys between Belfast and Bangor, Carrickfergus, Antrim and Lisburn and all stops in between, and Ulsterbus services for towns within the zone including those in Bangor, Carrickfergus, Antrim and Lisburn.
It also includes Ulsterbus services within the zone’s boundary, including Bangor, Carrickfergus, Lisburn, Antrim, Comber, Newtownards, Ballygowan, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Templepatrick and Ballyclare.
Adult top-ups cost £9 a day, £35 for a week and £125 a month.
Zone three covers all Translink bus and rail services and costs £15 a day, £55 a week and £195 a month.
All children’s fares across the three zones are half the cost of the adult ones.
Vote for the best station and win a weekend away
Monday, October 5th, 2009No, I’m not putting up a prize. I was sent a link to the following site, which appears to be offering such a prize. Enter the competition by voting for the best station on Irish Rail. The cynic who sent me the link suggested that I start a campaign to encourage people to nominate Broomebridge.
I’m not sure I’d even sink that low!