Why cant British trains be more like this Irish example?

[GrimShady]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/lner-azuma-class-800-801.170436/page-92

Why couldn't have have something like our Irish Cousins? This is what I expect of a 21st Century Passenger Train!

 

[modernrail]

Why couldn't have have something like our Irish Cousins? This is what I expect of a 21st Century Passenger Train!

Yep, that is a lot more like it.

It's quite simple, the powers that be have managed to stuff up pretty much every single new train interior design in the current crop of new stock. GA Stadlers being the exception.

 

[class26]

Yep, that is a lot more like it.

It's quite simple, the powers that be have managed to stuff up pretty much every single new train interior design in the current crop of new stock. GA Stadlers being the exception.

And I presume those Irish seats meet all fire regs so there is no excuse in the uK for the 800 seats except the DFT believe they can get away with the cheapest possible as we, the customer have no real alternative and are taking us for fools (with respect to the few who say they like the IET seats)

 

[Meerkat]

And I presume those Irish seats meet all fire regs so there is no excuse in the uK for the 800 seats except the DFT believe they can get away with the cheapest possible as we, the customer have no real alternative and are taking us for fools (with respect to the few who say they like the IET seats)

Do the Irish seats have to be approved for 125mph?

 

[class26]

Do the Irish seats have to be approved for 125mph?

Good point that I had overlooked

 

[GrimShady]

Do the Irish seats have to be approved for 125mph?

What's the excuse for the rest of the decour?

Plus what'd the Eurostar e320 using?

 

[Clip]

Do Irish trains have to squeeze in more passengers than there is room for?

 

[JonathanH]

Most long distance Irish services are actually run with units that have this interior.

(albeit they are currently making it worse by refitting them with leather coverings that don't look particular comfortable)

https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/613...ilcar-set-brought-into-service-by-irish-rail/

 

[Ianno87]

Do Irish trains have to squeeze in more passengers than there is room for?

Demand on Irish railways is nowhere near that of UK railways.

 

[Clip]

Demand on Irish railways is nowhere near that of UK railways.

Thought as much - thought i had quoted the person above me too

 

[hexagon789]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/lner-azuma-class-800-801.170436/page-92

Why couldn't have have something like our Irish Cousins? This is what I expect of a 21st Century Passenger Train!

For a 21st-century passenger train, the Enterprise is slow, nor as frequent as it should be and somewhat unreliable.

It's slower on average than 15 years ago despite using the same stock and making the same calls.

 

[6Gman]

I know the Irish track gauge is wider - is the loading gauge any more generous?

 

[hexagon789]

I know the Irish track gauge is wider - is the loading gauge any more generous?

Not really, CIE did have some 10ft 2in wide coaches from the mid-1950s to early 1990s, but the width tapered on at the ends.

Generally it's not significantly better.

 

[JonathanH]

It's slower on average than 15 years ago despite using the same stock and making the same calls.

...recognising the demand for suburban services into both Dublin and Belfast and a lack of passing opportunities on the two track railway it uses.

Of course, part of the lack of speed is also due to the twisting nature of the route once it is in open countryside.

 

[hexagon789]

...recognising the demand for suburban services into both Dublin and Belfast and a lack of passing opportunities on the two track railway it uses.

Of course, part of the lack of speed is also due to the twisting nature of the route once it is in open countryside.

They did significantly reduce journey times after upgrading from 70 to 90mph running in the mid-1990s, but as you say since then increased suburban traffic has impeded the ability to maintain such schedules and they are now padded out as the Enterprise inevitably tails a suburban working into Connolly.

 

[GrimShady]

For a 21st-century passenger train, the Enterprise is slow, nor as frequent as it should be and somewhat unreliable.

It's slower on average than 15 years ago despite using the same stock and making the same calls.

Granted Hex but I'm not talking about the traction package, just the creature comforts.

 

[hexagon789]

just the creature comforts.

On purely that basis, then I would agree, yes

 

[Journeyman]

I know the Irish track gauge is wider - is the loading gauge any more generous?

Whether it is or not, historically a lot of rolling stock was ordered from British manufacturers who offered similar products, just on different bogies - hence use of Mark 2 and Mark 3 bodyshells. The Enterprise stock uses original Eurostar bodyshells, which are UK loading gauge sized.

This probably has more to do with economies of scale than anything else.

 

[Journeyman]

But most Irish trains are DMUs, which the OP considers to be a tool of Beelzebub.

Personally I don't think they necessarily look all that much better than British stock. Several of those shots are first class interiors due to the 2+1 seating, and first class is nowhere near as widely available in Ireland as it is here. Also, there's too many tables. I often travel alone and much prefer airline seats when I do. I think the IET/Azuma standard class layout gets the balance of airline and tables right, and there's tons of legroom.

There's too many individual seats in first, though.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

But most Irish trains are DMUs, which the OP considers to be a tool of Beelzebub.

Personally I don't think they necessarily look all that much better than British stock. Several of those shots are first class interiors due to the 2+1 seating, and first class is nowhere near as widely available in Ireland as it is here. Also, there's too many tables. I often travel alone and much prefer airline seats when I do. I think the IET/Azuma standard class layout gets the balance of airline and tables right, and there's tons of legroom.

There's too many individual seats in first, though.

Only the same as a 390 ? Surely?

 

[Journeyman]

Only the same as a 390 ? Surely?

A 390 has almost no individual seats in first class. They all face each other, apart from a few in coach K.