DART. Part-Two.

Japanese Dissapointments.

Business with Japan has been good with the purchase of the 'Arrow', but not so good on the Dublin Area Rapide Transit replacing and adding to the original West-German stock first generation trains.

Tokyu car Corperation Yokohama, Japan stock 8500. 8510 and 8520 have suffered from constant breakdown problems, but the two car Spanish 8200 stock continue to be fairly reliable?

It is not clear what the Irish government is planning in relation for ne stock for the future, but with the Luas lines and possible underground railway. it is not clear if the planned connection to Aer Lingus/Dublin Airport is still on the cards, but whatever happens new stock will have to be purchased.

Dublin (Balie Atha Cliath) has grown to nearly one million people from the 670.000 estimated in 1980. the whole transport infrustructure has changed dramatically over the years with the new South-Korean DMU stock replacing the American diesels of the 1960's and the new coaching stock with internet connections, Wi-Fi and a whole host of features over that of the older British Rail BREL Mark-III coaches which have all now been sold on.

High Speed Trains. Part-One.

From the Bullet to ICE.

Over the last seventy years Japan with its Bullet, France and the TVG and now Germany and the ICE have made serious breakthroughs in speed and comfort to get people from A-B/Z. Japan was the first to develop a really high speed train and despite Earthquakes and many other disasters the system has expanded and continues to grow.

France was determined to have a similar system to fan out from its capital Paris and be also part of a wider European network, even before there was one. The Channel Tunnel has allowed a serious extension to be made, but within the U.K. this remains limited and future plans are being delayed.

On the other hand Germany has joined the European network with its own sleek version known as ICE, while Italy, Switzerland are also developing their versions and linking up with France and Germany.

Doclands light railway. Part-Two.

The East-London DLR.

With the first phase of the DLR completed, it was decided to extend it to the city of London. This was done by digging a tunnel from just before the Tower Gateway station to the Bank, so the first tunnel was constructed on the system.

A second line was then proposed from island gardens to Mudchute Lane, eventually connecting with Stratford. Initially this would cause problems for the Popular depot, but as the building proceeded it improved. The rolling stock was tram like, it was both clean and efficient and a breath of fresh air to London.

Today the system has a loop line at Popular connecting Stratford to Bank and has been extended under the River Thames first to Greenwich and then on to Lewisham in south-London. Another branch takes the line further east to the Beckton loop and another new depot. This line gives a connection to London City airport.

The line now extends through a second Thames tunnel to Woolwich, deep into SE-London. The system also has introduced new stock, were you can walk the whole length of any train. It is not known if there will be any further extension in the future, but there is enough there for it to grow, if needs be.

Town Planning. Part-One.

If you had the chance to plan out a new town and had to decide on the best transportation system for it, what would you go for? 

In the light of hurricane Sandy and its effects on the NE region of America, the Subway/Metro has ended up being flooded along with road tunnels. Meanwhile many trees and power lines were overturned blocking roads and highways. 

There is much to consider in the planning of any town or city.