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IARNROD ÉIREANN HAS unveiled images of the first trains of the new DART+ fleet, set to be in operation by 2026 onwards.
Ireland’s rail operator shared an image of a five-carriage train currently in place at its Inchicore Works site in Dublin.
It says that the new DART fleet will improve capacity, accessibility and customer information in the greater Dublin area.
The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is an electric railway transport system. It was launched in 1984 and runs along Dublin’s coast, from Malahide or Howth in the north to Greystones in Wicklow in the south.
It also has a commuter service, which extends out into Counties Louth, Meath, Longford, Kildare and Wicklow.
The new five-carriage train at Inchicore Works is the first of 185 carriages on order from rail manufacturer Alstom. These new trains are due to enter service from early 2026 onwards.
A total of 155 trains will be battery-electric. The first trains are due to operate on the Drogheda to Dublin Commuter route, with recharging facilities under construction at Drogheda Station.
Since 2020, Iarnród Éireann has been working on DART+, an initiative to to increase capacity on the the DART. Funded by the National Transport Authority, the rail service says DART+ will double the capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area’s rail network.
The new carriages are due to begin a regulatory approval, and testing and commissioning process before they enter service.
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Here’s the problem, our rail systems are maxed out, newer trains, old trains, it doesn’t matter, you’ll be packed like a sardine in a brand new train because our current single track infrastructure doesn’t allow us to increase trains frequency. That’s like driving a brand new car on the M50at 8:30am. Sure, enjoy the new car smell, but you’re still stuck in traffic.
@J Ven: That’s true, journey times will not decrease but frequency will improve. Currently there are gaps of up to 1 hour off-peak between trains on the Northern Commuter line, when the Dart comes in this should be reduced down to at least a 20 minute gap which will help capacity on board too.
Oh look.. it’s a picture of a train you won’t see till 2026 .. real back to the future stuff now.. all the same now, could ya let me know, just so I can set me dials in me DeLorean, Would that be a kind NCH 2026, or like a Metro 2026 type of deal ?
Give it a few more years and we will have a railway system the equal to that of any other country…in the mid 20th Century
@Ronan Mc: A railway system as it was at the end of the 19th century you mean, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, if trains go quicker and journey times get shorter, that might just lead to hysteria, or so.
@Larissa Caroline Nikolaus: Which century are you living in?
@Ronan Mc: We still won’t have an underground/metro system, and the first one of them opened in 1863 (London Underground). Today, even small cities like Brescia, in northern Italy (pop. 200k) have one. There are 54 in China, and even the US, famously not a fan of public transport, has 16. Ireland just can’t seem to organise public infrastructure.
@Stephen Wallis: It’s literally starting next year.
@Graham Carrick: It’s been starting next year for decades…
But will it be safer for the public. Eg antisocial behaviour.
@D White: the dart is already safe
@Shane O Neill: Not always. I was recently on it as a man prowled up and down the carriage, singing a song about fighting on Bray beach, lamenting the amount of foreigners on the train, spouting nationalist nonsense, and challenging everyone to a fight. Also, comically attempting to speak Irish to his friend (who, to be fair, was trying to get him to sit down).
There should be more guards on the beat in general, but also on public transport in particular.
This should have been done ✔️ year’s back way behind in everything we do still waiting on a rail system true Dublin Airport very sad country we will in living in the passed as usual
I said it before and I’ll say it again if the dart went through Finglas would it be called the “FART ‘
@larry smith: I 1984 when the Dart was introduced that joke was vaguely funny to the 14 year old me – only because I hadn’t heard it before then, and it related to Fermoy as no one would name an entire system after one area that it goes through?
Anymore jokes?
@larry smith: or through Tallagh , would it be called the Tart ?
@Soundy Sound: me and my mate were playing darts he said “nearest to the bull starts ” I said “baa” he said “moo” I said you’re first then .
@larry smith: I Fell out of the pram laughing at that ” joke”
Well it’s about time we had an our very own bullet train.
Well Done for sorting.
Like the luas, too chavy
More ALSTOM junk, LUAS trams were supposed to have a forty year minimum service life and I hear the original ones are starting to be replaced / scrapped.
@McMurphy: The DART started in 1984. That’s 40 years.
@McMurphy: Sorry! Misread your comment! Ignore my other comment about 40 years!
So 95 years after Ireland had the first battery electric train in the world the new trains will be slightly better, but will still need a human driver with no word on improved journey times, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9jFA3fKG6c https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumm_Battery_Train
To little to late, what a joke Irish Rail is, shite infrastructure 40years behind European standards with this lame outfit in charge expect things to get worst
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