Dublin-Westport, change at Athlone

[Lou92]

On Irish Rail's journey planner, it shows a change at Athlone for Dublin-Westport on a Saturday morning. Does anyone know what I can expect on the day? Both the train to Galway (0 changes) and the one to Westport (1 change) are shown as departing from platform 2, so I'm guessing it is like a 2x221 set where they divide at Athlone? This will be my first visit to Ireland and whilst I've being doing thorough planning to make sure it goes well, I'm starting to have visions of heading to Galway by mistake...

 

[Techniquest]

I think that was an issue I had myself when I did an Irish Trekker. Aye it splits at Athlone, I seem to recall for Westport you need to be in the back of the train, do check on the day though!

 

[Lou92]

Awesome, many thanks for the quick reply Techniquest! X

 

[berneyarms]

The train does not split.

They are separate trains, both four car ICRs.

They will use the island platform for cross-platform interchange.

You switch from the Galway train to the Westport train (except on Fridays when it is the other way around due to high loadings to/from Mayo).

Splitting ceased some time back.

 

[Techniquest]

I'm not sure which day I did it, but this was in 2013 so it could have still split back then.

The timber terminal is right next to the station at Westport, so you'll possibly see an 071 Class loco there. And no, it doesn't leave before your train back, or at least didn't.

Ballina has a container terminal, and had 201 Class locos on the freights to/from there. No access for photos though in the area, except for seeing it in the distance from the station.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Lou92]

Thank you very much berneyarms and Techniquest! X

 

[Lou92]

In the end, I need not have worried: due to the game between Dublin and Mayo, it was Galway passengers that were required to change at Athlone. In fact, the journey between Carlisle and Westport was the smoothest journey I have ever done! The irony is that the return journey was the one filled with more 'adventure' than I needed (the Westport-Dublin ICR failed en route, and the RRB to Dublin left me with just 48 minutes to cycle to the ferry port; I was trapped in the wrong portion of a double 175 set at Chester; and I was almost stranded for the night at Crewe when a member of staff gave me duff advice regarding the last service to Carlisle). :cry:

 

[Thewanderer]

In the end, I need not have worried: due to the game between Dublin and Mayo, it was Galway passengers that were required to change at Athlone. In fact, the journey between Carlisle and Westport was the smoothest journey I have ever done! The irony is that the return journey was the one filled with more 'adventure' than I needed (the Westport-Dublin ICR failed en route, and the RRB to Dublin left me with just 48 minutes to cycle to the ferry port; I was trapped in the wrong portion of a double 175 set at Chester; and I was almost stranded for the night at Crewe when a member of staff gave me duff advice regarding the last service to Carlisle). :cry:

Were you on the 0750 Westport - Heuston on Sunday when 22034 failed? Still trying to get it back to Laois Traincare! No driver to bring it from Westport on Monday (due to all the match specials to Galway / Westport over the weekend). Today it got from Westport to Clonnydonnin Loop where it gave up the ghost again! Driven back to Athlone where maintenance attended (again)and dumped for the night. 3rd time lucky tomorrow from Athlone to Laois Depot!

Hope you had a nice time and a pity I didn't see this thread earlier.

The Wanderer.

 

[Lou92]

Were you on the 0750 Westport - Heuston on Sunday when 22034 failed? Still trying to get it back to Laois Traincare! No driver to bring it from Westport on Monday (due to all the match specials to Galway / Westport over the weekend). Today it got from Westport to Clonnydonnin Loop where it gave up the ghost again! Driven back to Athlone where maintenance attended (again)and dumped for the night. 3rd time lucky tomorrow from Athlone to Laois Depot!.

Indeed I was! Just after pulling away from Castlebar, the driver announced he would have to shutdown and re-start the train (I assume it was some fault with the TMS in the front cab, as the rear cab controls worked fine).

Hope you had a nice time and a pity I didn't see this thread earlier.

Thank you, I had a great time despite the drama of the return journey - a full report with photos coming soon.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Trip report now posted: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=2295359#post2295359

 

[Techniquest]

I shall attempt to get onto reading that either later or tomorrow now, lots on here at the moment and I will at least have something to read on my commute tomorrow!

 

[Shinkansenfan]

The timber terminal is right next to the station at Westport, so you'll possibly see an 071 Class loco there. And no, it doesn't leave before your train back, or at least didn't.

Yup. Still in operation. I observed them loading logs at the timber terminal several days ago. Too bad the line beyond Westport Station has been converted to a hiking/bike trail instead of retained for railway use.