Quadruple track for Ireland, Dublin Connolly to Malahide

[Belfastmarty]

An ambitious project and definitely one to watch. Whenever the 111's were introduced to the Enterprise, the ambition was to get the Belfast - Dublin journey time down to 1hr 50. The current time is usually around 2hrs 5 caused mostly by congestion with the Dart, so there's plenty of scope for improvement. Having said that, the engineering challenges to do this work are substantial with the line being constrained both sides by housing, particularly between Kilbarrack and Clongriffin. Purchasing land around Dublin will be extremely expensive and once CPOs start being issued it will become a very political issue. I await developments with interest.

 

[Transilien]

In an ideal world, a higher speed (200 km/h tunnel) going via Dublin Airport would be preferable, providing a direct fast rail connection between both Dublin and Belfast with the Airport. This could allow the original line to be dedicated to DART and Commuter services.

 

[AlastairFraser]

In an ideal world, a higher speed (200 km/h tunnel) going via Dublin Airport would be preferable, providing a direct fast rail connection between both Dublin and Belfast with the Airport. This could allow the original line to be dedicated to DART and Commuter services.

I think this was an option studied by Irish Rail, but it was rejected for some reason.

 

[berneyarms]

I think this was an option studied by Irish Rail, but it was rejected for some reason.

All of the options considered will be put into the public domain when the public consultation on the emerging preferred route happens later this year.

 

[AlastairFraser]

All of the options considered will be put into the public domain when the public consultation on the emerging preferred route happens later this year.

Sorry, I just thought that I had seen an article discussing it as an official option before.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

In an ideal world, a higher speed (200 km/h tunnel) going via Dublin Airport would be preferable, providing a direct fast rail connection between both Dublin and Belfast with the Airport. This could allow the original line to be dedicated to DART and Commuter services.

Isn't there a separate project to build a metro line out to Dublin Airport?

 

[zwk500]

Isn't there a separate project to build a metro line out to Dublin Airport?

Yes, Metrolink will be a completely independent line, with limited interchange directly to the heavy rail network.

Home page - MetroLinkWeb

https://www.metrolink.ie/media/m1nlzdym/metrolink-route-map-2026.pdf

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Yes, Metrolink will be a completely independent line, with limited interchange directly to the heavy rail network.

Home page - MetroLinkWeb

https://www.metrolink.ie/media/m1nlzdym/metrolink-route-map-2026.pdf

And standard gauge too!

1500V DC all the way out to Drogheda (30ish miles) is interesting - it is somewhat futher than inner suburban. The Cork area electrification is to be 25kV AC.

 

[zwk500]

And standard gauge too!

Makes procurement of replacement parts rather simpler as they can be effectively 'off the shelf'

1500V DC all the way out to Drogheda (30ish miles) is interesting - it is somewhat futher than inner suburban. The Cork area electrification is to be 25kV AC.

The new DART B/EMUs are being delivered with 1.5KV DC capability only, and it makes a certain amount of sense for the suburban service to be given priority for a single voltage and order the long-distance stock with Dual-voltage kit.
It's one of those situations where there are good and bad points to any way round of doing it.

 

[duesselmartin]

reading the NTA/IÉ debate, what role does C.I.E. still play? Do they still exist because the toaster is still in working order?

 

[berneyarms]

CIÉ is the holding company, it is responsible for:
- Providing legal services to the group
- Managing claims for the group
- Property management for the group
- Providing IT & telecoms services to the group
- Managing the group pension scheme
- Providing insurance to the group