Iarnród Éireann unveils first train of brand new DART+ Fleet

Regulatory approval and testing process to immediately begin, with trains entering service from early 2026 – 185 new carriages on order, with up to 750 possible

Iarnród Éireann has unveiled the first five-carriage train of the new DART+ Fleet, at Inchicore Works in Dublin.

Invited guests boarded the new train in its commissioning facility to get a glimpse of a new DART fleet which will enable Iarnród Éireann to improve the customer experience across the Greater Dublin Area, including capacity, accessibility and customer information.

The five-carriage train is the first of 185 carriages already on order from rail manufacturer Alstom, and entering service from early 2026 onwards. The trains were purchased in two orders as part of a framework agreement which provides for up to 750 electric/battery electric carriages over a ten-year period.

The DART+ Programme

The fleet orders, funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) under Project Ireland 2040, are part of the wider DART+ Programme. DART+ is a series of infrastructure projects which, together with train orders, will double the capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area’s rail network. The DART+ Programme is a key element of the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, 2022-2042. DART+ will facilitate sustainable mobility and development to enhance quality of life in our capital and its surrounding counties, through a series of fleet and infrastructure projects. The DART+ Programme is being delivered by Iarnród Éireann on behalf of NTA.

Including the first train, a total of 155 out of the 185 carriages on order are battery-electric which deliver more capacity for commuters in advance of electrification of the lines on which they will operate, with the balance of 30 being electric-only.  The first trains will operate on the Drogheda to Dublin Commuter route, with recharging facilities under construction at Drogheda Station.

The arrival of the new fleet, from Alstom’s Chorzów facility near Katowice in Poland, marks a significant milestone in Iarnród Éireann’s journey to become the backbone of the sustainable transport network in Ireland.

Largest and most sustainable public transport fleet order in Irish history

The carriages are the first part of the largest and most sustainable public transport fleet order in Irish history and, once operational, will further improve network accessibility and customer experience by offering:

• Independent access with low-floor height doorway being equipped with an automatic retractable step, offering the potential for unassisted level access from suitable platforms, aligned with platform enhancements.
• Wide gangways between carriages creating an open and spacious environment.

• Improved facilities for wheelchair users, families and cyclists, with dedicated wheelchair and family spaces.

• Transformed customer information systems on-board including large, high-resolution onboard displays with real-time updates, door illumination and additional features designed for the needs of sensory impaired customers including inductive hearing loops.

• An advanced on-board CCTV system with cameras throughout every carriage, to enhance safety and security for customers and employees

As the first train in a brand new fleet on the Iarnród Éireann network, the carriages will now begin a rigorous regulatory approval, and testing and commissioning process, at Inchicore Works and on the Greater Dublin Area rail network, before entering service in early 2026.

Each 10-carriage train, made up of two of these five car train sets joined, will be the longest train size operable by the new fleet on current infrastructure, and will have capacity for at least 1,100 customers.

More carriages will arrive steadily over the coming months, with each set undergoing the testing and commissioning process.

A transformative investment in the Greater Dublin Area’s rail network

Speaking at the unveiling, Jim Meade, CEO Iarnród Éireann, said “We are thrilled to unveil the first of the new DART+ fleet today, a critical step in our vision to see a decarbonised rail network. Our vision at Iarnród Éireann is for rail to be the backbone of a sustainable transport system, integrating with all modes to create ease of connection between people and places. It is about quality of life, delivering a fully accessible transport system for all, one that is flexible, frequent, faster, friendly, fairly priced, feasible to deliver, fully accessible and freer of carbon.”

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, said: “The DART+ Programme represents a transformative investment in the Greater Dublin Area’s rail network. With the unveiling of the first five-carriage train in the new DART+ fleet today, we are taking a significant step towards a more sustainable, accessible and comfortable public transport for our passengers. I look forward to seeing the fleet rolled out across the network, further transforming public transport services for communities in the region.”

Gian Luca Erbacci, Europe Region President for fleet manufacturers Alstom, said The arrival of the first DART+ train in the new depot at Inchicore marks a significant moment not only for Alstom but for Ireland’s exemplary journey towards a more sustainable future. Furthermore, it is a testament to our commitment in supporting Ireland’s ambitious carbon reduction targets by delivering cleaner, smarter and more efficient trains to serve passengers across Greater Dublin and beyond”.

He added: “This train embodies cutting-edge technology and innovation, as a total of 155 out of the 185 carriages on order are battery-electric. We are really proud to be taking part in the transition to greener mobility in Ireland.”

 The DART+ Fleet

Funded under the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030 by the National Transport Authority, the order for the DART+ Fleet is part of the DART+ Programme, an investment which will more than double the commuter capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area rail network.  DART+ will facilitate sustainable mobility and development to enhance quality of life in our capital and its surrounding counties.

The new DART+ Fleet will be able to deliver off-wire operation through the incorporation of battery-electric technology, enabling new services and new capacity to be provided in the Greater Dublin area in advance of electrification. Energy stored in the battery system will be replenished via fast charging stations at chosen terminus locations and by recovering braking energy while the new battery-electric trainsets are on the move. This will enable, for example, the new battery-electric fleet to deliver Dublin to Drogheda return services, with fast charging at Drogheda Station.

Charging infrastructure is currently under construction at Drogheda station to ensure services can operate on the line once testing and commissioning of the carriages themselves has been completed.

The initial 185-carriage orders will benefit a number of routes:

• Sixty-five new battery-electric carriages will be deployed first on Drogheda to Dublin Northern Commuter services
• New electric carriages will be deployed on existing Malahide/Howth to Bray/Greystones DART services, allowing all services to be operated at maximum length
• The further 90 battery-electric carriages ordered in December 2022 will facilitate the overall DART+ network, with potential to use them on other parts of the rail network in advance of wider electrification, subject to available funding for necessary infrastructure.
• Introduction of the new fleet will also free up existing carriages to increase capacity on other Commuter and Intercity services

In addition to the fleet, Alstom will provide a range of supports, including a Technical Support and Spares Supply agreement for the first 15 years of the fleet’s operation, and provision of three train simulators to support driver training.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Fleet statistics (per 5-carriage train)

DART+ Programme

DART+ is the transformative programme that will ensure train travel is at the heart of Ireland’s sustainable transport network. Funded under the National Development Plan by the National Transport Authority, DART+ is an investment that will double the capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area network, facilitating sustainable mobility and development to enhance quality of life in our capital and its surrounding counties. The overall programme will provide electrification of lines on DART+ West to Maynooth/M3 Parkway, on DART+ South-West to Hazelhatch and DART+ Coastal North to Drogheda. DART+ Coastal South will also see key infrastructure works as far as Greystones to allow more trains to operate.