Fossils Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 The commuter steam-train service is to run again during MGP. Port Erin to Douglas will take about 55 minutes. Can anyone remember if a diesel (ex-Donegal Railways, possibly) ever did this trip before the line was relaid ("making it suitable for a fast commuter service" was one of the reasons given for the expenditure at the time) and, if so, how long did it take? Can anyone give a reasonable guesstimate of how long a diesel would take for the trip on the new line? http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1419355 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Politician Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Yes, this was looked into. The conclusion was that modern diesel railcars (i.e. not the old Donegal ones) would take 40 minutes to complete the journey (as opposed to 57 minutes with the steam train). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossils Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Yes, this was looked into. The conclusion was that modern diesel railcars (i.e. not the old Donegal ones) would take 40 minutes to complete the journey (as opposed to 57 minutes with the steam train). Thanks for the quick response! Surely that would make it much more attractive for year-round use, when you consider the time and cost taken to get into and out of central Douglas at busy times (plus parking time and costs). Not to mention the obstacle courses that the DoT can place on the route. Has the option been properly presented to commuters from the South? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 The commuter steam-train service is to run again during MGP. Port Erin to Douglas will take about 55 minutes. Can anyone remember if a diesel (ex-Donegal Railways, possibly) ever did this trip before the line was relaid ("making it suitable for a fast commuter service" was one of the reasons given for the expenditure at the time) and, if so, how long did it take? Can anyone give a reasonable guesstimate of how long a diesel would take for the trip on the new line? http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1419355 i would expect the steam to be faster. when those diesels were used in ireland the lines they were used on had turn tables. they were incapable of running powered in reverse at normal line speeds. when they were used here ONE engine had to move the vehicle it was in AND tow the other behind it!!! ,so pulling twice the weight it was intended. the units were not designed or eqipped to run as a powered pair in syncronisation contolled from one end using both motors like most proper DMU's. i doubt they were bought with the intent of a faster service, but just a convenient one that was start motor and get going, rather than have to wait a few hours for steam to build up. and on that point they were a useful item to have. but what we really needed to get the best out of them were turntables at the terminal stations and perhaps one half way in say ballasalla or castle town for specials. but they were obtained to try and keep a cheaper service in operation at the quieter times when the railway was in financial decline, so spending on turntables was not going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Yes, this was looked into. The conclusion was that modern diesel railcars (i.e. not the old Donegal ones) would take 40 minutes to complete the journey (as opposed to 57 minutes with the steam train). Thanks for the quick response! Surely that would make it much more attractive for year-round use, when you consider the time and cost taken to get into and out of central Douglas at busy times (plus parking time and costs). Not to mention the obstacle courses that the DoT can place on the route. Has the option been properly presented to commuters from the South? the train is unlikely to be quicker than your own car even with a few traffic jams to contend with because just like a bus it stops every 5 minutes to let people on or off. IF it was a non stop or one stop in say castletown, it could be quicker, but you are still limited by the quality of the line for actual speed, you won't see trains going along at 60 - 70 mph, more like 40 if the driver is feeling brave.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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