V-Flyer

This continues my feedback for Rail Users Ireland.

Galway to Limerick Sunday 4th April 2010

Galway Station doesn't seem to have any departure boards or any signs indicating where trains are leaving from. Now I know it has just the two platforms, but I still think a small sign for "Limerick Service" would have been welcome.

Compared to Limerick and Cork, Galway Station was a bit ... naff. Very little for passengers, and it didn't feel very welcoming.


A two car train was waiting at the station, at the very end of the platform and I was interested to see how busy the train would be.



I was amongst the first to board...


We left a minute late, with about ten people on the train as far as I could tell, which was branded "Commuter". The stations on the line where again very stark affairs, with the exception of Ennis.







At each station, there were passengers boarding and disembarking, but a one car train would have sufficed. (Ignoring the perception of overcrowding that a one car train would create). However the train was busier than the one I got from Limerick to Limerick Junction for the connection to Cork.

For some reason, I can't recall any ticket checks taking place but given the amount of travelling I did in two days I may have forgotten.

Before long we arrived at Limerick.


I think Galway to Limerick could be a "grower". The service didn't feel 'slow' despite its two hours duration. Bus Eireann at Galway were agressively advertising their Galway - Gort service "in 90 minutes" whereas Irish Rail's noticeboard appeared to be some photocopied sheets.

Next journey that day... Limerick to Limerick Junction

Limerick to Limerick Junction 04 April 2010

Limerick Station is another that has improved since my last visit - which was in the late 80s.



My day continued, with a chance to spend some time at Limerick Junction, a station I have only ever travelled through.

I was surprised to find that I was boarding the same train I had alighted from 50 minutes previously, the very one that had taken me from Galway. I think it waits 50 minutes because to make a better connection at Limerick Junction for the Cork service.


Three people, myself included, boarded.

No ticket checks on the train, but I did get my favourite picture of the trip at Limerick Junction.



Next trip... Limerick Junction to Cork.

As you have failed to mention them I am presuming the amenity kits and sleep suits were substandard?

I think a couple of things need to be borne in mind with regard to this route.

1. The service was a new one. The line, which had been closed in the early 80s, had re-opened that week

2. It was Easter Sunday and very few people would be travelling on that day

Still it was good to hear about this service and interesting to learn that the same train brought you to Limerick Junction. Why couldn't they have branded it a Galway to Limerick Junction service with onward connections to Cork?

Now where's the Cork leg?

Thank you for the great Rail TR. Love the Pics!

Jacki wrote:As you have failed to mention them I am presuming the amenity kits and sleep suits were substandard?

I think they forgot the amenity kits on this service.

Limerick Junction - Cork Sunday 4 October.

The departure from Limerick Junction was late, there were no announcements at Limerick Junction; a rather cold day and the long platform made it feel a rather desolate station. It did have a nice waiting room however and it was staffed. There were three passengers waiting on the platform, including me.


Even looking at this picture makes me feel cold!


The Cork train arrived and I found a seat in an empty table of four and settled down for the journey. The seats on this train didn't line up quite the same as the Galway one, but you could still see the scenery.


Again, it was uneventful - there were announcements to say not to sit in pre-reserved seats, but at this point in the journey no trolley service, and no ticket check.

We arrived in Cork on time or late, I didn't know, and I was suitably impressed with Cork station. More on this in my final leg : Cork to Dublin.