Enterprise Questions

[drevil0208]

I will be taking the Enterprise for the first time in a few weeks from Belfast to Dublin. I have a few questions...

Is the train completely unreserved? If not, are there any unreserved coaches like Coach E on Pendolinos? How early would you get to Belfast Central to get a good seat? (it will be the 8:00 train on a Friday).

How is the train configured southbound? Ie. which coaches are Standard and which are First?

What is the food service like (I will be in Standard)?

Thanks

 

[pkkelly]

I will be taking the Enterprise for the first time in a few weeks from Belfast to Dublin. I have a few questions...

Is the train completely unreserved? If not, are there any unreserved coaches like Coach E on Pendolinos? How early would you get to Belfast Central to get a good seat? (it will be the 8:00 train on a Friday).

How is the train configured southbound? Ie. which coaches are Standard and which are First?

What is the food service like (I will be in Standard)?

Thanks

You will not have any problem getting a seat on that train. Lots of the traffic on this route is senior citizens on free passes and 8am is too early for most of them. Also, the Enterprise is (sadly) less heavily loaded than it was in the past as the road to Dublin has much improved in the last few years. The car park at Belfast Central is usually not much more than half full at 8am on a weekday now - it used to be nearly full.

Configuration of your train is first class at the Dublin end, Enterprise (standard) class at the Belfast end, loco at the back.

Best seats IMHO are right at the back - no passing traffic and if the 201 class loco fails (not unusual) you are right beside it to give it a push

You will get some reservations for people who have booked web fares but there will be loads of unreserved seats.

For this train I would be happy to arrive at the station 10 minutes in advance (if already in possession of a ticket). Certainly 15-20 minutes would be more than adequate.

Food service is a cafe car between first class and Enterprise class. There should be a trolley service as well but this cannot necessarily be relied on.

It's a nice trip - hope you enjoy it.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The 0830 was full in early July when I was on it...

 

[drevil0208]

You will get some reservations for people who have booked web fares but there will be loads of unreserved seats.

Actually I booked a web fare! I didn't see anything about reserved seats. Do they automatically assign you seats? If so, can I email them and request specific ones?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Nope, they didn't when I did. AFAIK seat reservations don't exist.

 

[I T S]

Morning Gents,

With regards the Enterprise the only seat reservations southbound is in 1st class. Standard remains unreserved throughout. If travelling from Dublin, Coach D is reserved for those who have prebooked through the Irish Rail website. However Coach D is next to the dining car so top of the train is usually empty unless it's a peak service like 1520,1650 or 1900 from Dublin.

Passenger loadings for the 0800xCentral depend really. It's a hit and miss, having travelled and worked this train a few times myself. Arrive around 0740 is my advice, to allow time to get you're ticket from the office then head to the train. As a fellow member advises, behind the loco(back coach) is usually best and at Belfast you should get a seat. Though, After Newry this train tends to fill up.

Finally, Can I strongly stress to you and everyone else reading this to avoid the dining car food. This is one of the most rancid places to eat. A city centre bin would be nicer in some cases. Microwaved, Dried up, Out of date, to name a few things! All food is microwaved except the eggs which are cook in a pan but then microwaved at the end along with the rest of the items. Don't get me started about the price!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[PFX]

drevil0208 - I'm sure you're really encouraged by the advice posted but fear not, it really isn't as bad as it's being made out to be. Sit at the back (station end) bring your own piece and a hip flask, then sit back while you enjoy the 'high speed' ride to Dublin.

 

[pkkelly]

The 0830 was full in early July when I was on it...

That is school holidays, both north and south of the border, so traffic levels would be higher than normal.

 

[csd]

Finally, Can I strongly stress to you and everyone else reading this to avoid the dining car food. This is one of the most rancid places to eat. A city centre bin would be nicer in some cases. Microwaved, Dried up, Out of date, to name a few things! All food is microwaved except the eggs which are cook in a pan but then microwaved at the end along with the rest of the items. Don't get me started about the price!

However, the warm cream cheese and bacon bagel is actually quite delicious - probably the only edible thing in the restaurant car and certainly worth trying.

The main problem with the Dublin-Belfast service is its lack of reliability. There's a significant chance you'll be late, or the Enterprise set will be substituted by an NIR C3K or an IE 29000 DMU.

Look out for the stored Mk 3 sets on the Up side at Dundalk!

/csd

 

[GM078]

Haven't tried the lunch/dinner options but can't fault the full Irish breakfast on the Enterprise.

 

[Drimnagh Road]

In fairness compared to Rail Gourmet (Irish Rail catering provider), the catering on the Enterprise is cheap (Corporate Catering), for example a cup of rosie is €1.80 on the Enterprise, while it's €2.10 on Irish Rail.

That's just one I can think off of the top of my head, have both menus, must do a comparison exercise on a number of identical products.

 

[GM078]

In fairness compared to Rail Gourmet (Irish Rail catering provider), the catering on the Enterprise is cheap (Corporate Catering), for example a cup of rosie is €1.80 on the Enterprise, while it's €2.10 on Irish Rail.

That's just one I can think off of the top of my head, have both menus, must do a comparison exercise on a number of identical products.

Rail Gourmet pricing leaves a lot to be desired alright. God be with the days of Network Catering. I remember for a time in the summer of 2010 Rail Gourmet had a "special offer" on - a packet of crisps and a can of mineral for €2! That would be the ordinary price in most shops! You couldn't make it up!

It's been a while since I travelled on the Enterprise but in my experience it's cheaper to pay for the stuff in sterling than euros, of course that assumes that one has enough sterling to spare.

 

[PFX]

Rail Gourmet pricing leaves a lot to be desired alright. God be with the days of Network Catering. I remember for a time in the summer of 2010 Rail Gourmet had a "special offer" on - a packet of crisps and a can of mineral for €2! That would be the ordinary price in most shops! You couldn't make it up!

It's been a while since I travelled on the Enterprise but in my experience it's cheaper to pay for the stuff in sterling than euros, of course that assumes that one has enough sterling to spare.

Last time I used the Enterprise was last year and sterling was cheaper then certainly. Even though, I still brought my own beer.

As for prices, €2 seems quite reasonable for a poke of crisps and can of pop. Regional and intercity services in the UK certainly used to charge top whack for everything and £2.50 might have covered the same snack. The record price I paid was £13 for a full fry on a GNER service. Saying that, it was damned nice though!

 

[GM078]

Oh I agree €2 is a reasonable price, but Rail Gourmet had that has a limited time offer. It's been a while since I bought from them but at one point (not sure what the case is at present) the price for a can of mineral was €1.50; a standard Dairy Milk bar being €1.75! hock:

I'll buy a cup of tea from them but otherwise I find it best to bring provisions.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

Years ago, I boarded a northbound Enterprise at Newry. The stewardess (who looked to be about 15 years old) got down onto the platform and without looking at my ticket, said: 'Second class this way."
Wonder why?

 

[GM078]

Years ago, I boarded a northbound Enterprise at Newry. The stewardess (who looked to be about 15 years old) got down onto the platform and without looking at my ticket, said: 'Second class this way."
Wonder why?

Apart from her manner, her terminology is also wrong - "standard class" is the correct term.

 

[Csalem]

^Actually on the Enterprise First Class is called 'First Plus' and Standard Class is called 'Enterprise'.

But then for some strange reason first class does not exist on the IE network with it being 'City Gold' on the Cork run, and 'Premier' on the other services, though the latter does not deserve the title First Class or Premier...

 

[GM078]

^Actually on the Enterprise First Class is called 'First Plus' and Standard Class is called 'Enterprise'.

But then for some strange reason first class does not exist on the IE network with it being 'City Gold' on the Cork run, and 'Premier' on the other services, though the latter does not deserve the title First Class or Premier...

Right you are Csalem.

I dunno, maybe they see 'named' classes as more modern or something, I suppose talk of 'numbered' classes might sound slightly Dickensian to some!

 

[PFX]

It's mildly amusing that there is First Plus. This suggests the possibility of three classes, standard, first and first plus.

I use it because there's less chance of screaming kids and loud phone calls every 2 minutes. Same applied to GNER in the UK many years ago. Tried it once on a super APEX and discovered it was an oasis of calm, compared to the rest of the train (including the supposed Quiet Coach). What an old grouch I am.

 

[Csalem]

I use to like the thumbprints on the doors to denote the different classes on the Enterprise services, but it got a bit ridiculous when they were applied to the locomotives. And of course some Mark 3s got them but with slightly different colours to confuse people more!