Here’s a train of thought

The non-use of 21 brand new carriages by Irish Rail and subsequent waste of €44m is merely the beginning.

Bearing in mind that the life span of a train is typically 30-40 years, can somebody explain why a fleet of 14 modern commuter/ regional trains built in 1997 were withdrawn in 2012, despite having had an expensive overhaul two years earlier; a fleet of 10 powerful freight/passenger locomotives delivered from Canada in 1994 were taken out of use three years ago. A fleet of five Dart trains only delivered in 2000 are withdrawn because they never worked properly.

All of these trains sit on the scrap line at Inchicore works and can be seen by passengers who have to cram into three-carriage trains to the south and& west.

Glen Cusack

Drimnagh

Dublin 12