Very much so!! It’s flying up in fact! It’ll be quite the sight to behold when it’s done (early 2026 apparently) but already it’s taking big shape!
Yes, good.
I worry about a new Govt, though.
If we are serious about modal shift, we need to see investment on a par with the development of the motorway network .
Was funded in early 2023 so I'd hope its well underway!
Is construction actually underway?
Is there a feasibility study/QBA due on that soon or am I making things up again…?
There isn't a vast amount of road building actually underway either right now.
Public transport capex spending is to go up hugely in the next few years with Metrolink, Busconnect CBCs and DART+, as well as re-fleeting and whatever comes from FourNorth (that name may have been dropped - the project to look at quad tracking the Northern Line) and the AISRR.
You left out Waterford's new station
I am trying to compare capital expenditure on roads with capital expenditure on transit.
It seems that roads capex is far higher?
During 2024, how many live construction is taking place on transit capex?
That seems like much less spending than on new roads?
EDIT: I mean capex on new roads during the motorway building period.
The new ones on the Dart spend 90% of the time showing the Dart logo and nothing else. Irish Rail don't do "information".
Passenger Information System I think, the thing that makes announcements and displays the stops (and the myriad of other things Irish Rail use them for such as CCTV messages and “mind the gap”).
What is PIS?
It’s been mentioned on here a number of times. They’ve been replacing the floors on the 29s since last winter. Think there may have even have been photos of it posted. There’s a few sets with the new PIS around. They don’t couple with the older sets, so almost always running as 8 pieces. Takes about a month for each new set to be fitted out, so another set each month going into service.
It's just starting now. The PIS renewal is a separate project which is also ongoing.
I've yet to see a 29000 with the new floors; but have had a few with the new PIS (and old floors).
The floors are being renewed as we speak.
On the flip side, the 29k fleet has to be one of the reliable fleet of trains IE have ever bought.
For all the negatives that you posted, that's is a major plus.
Thanks.
Yes, the 2800 are grand.
the future of the 2600s is hard to say.
yes they are 30 years old but they are quite similar to the 2800s which are nearly 25 years old now and both classes likely have quite a lot of life left in them yet.
the electrification/BMUfication will free up 22000s certainly, but how much of an increase in services that will allow is probably unknown at this stage, but it will allow for an increase as suburban runs do require quite a lot of them.
in fairness all of those suburban diesel classes are clank wagons.
you are correct though the 29s are effectively scrap condition at this stage and need a full refurbishment if they are to remain in service.
the 22s are a more interesting case as while they have had refurbishments such as new engines ETC, the running of them on stop start suburban services is likely to shorten their life span as they aren't designed for it really.
it's been discussed here before but the 29Ks are in rag order. I think IE had a tender out to replace the floors in them, but they really need a full refurb, and even then they'll still be noisy, smelly clank-wagons.
A question about fleet plans.
As the trains from the Alstom framework order are delivered and deployed across the GDA during the next few years, I think the idea is to move some or all of the 29000 DMU class out of the GDA.
And maybe some 22000 ICR sets will be replaced by the new trains.
Will this mean enough extra stock that there can be more frequency on regional routes? For example, Sligo line, Mayo line, Galway, Waterford, etc.?
What is the future of the 2600 class, built in 1993, entered service in 1994? They are 30 years old now.
Iarnród Eireann tender for Training Lead for new BEMU fleet and ETCS projects;
This is a call to competition by IE for the procurement of a [Training Lead/consultant for the New Dart+ Fleet and ETCS projects] (the “Contract”). [refer to Contract Notice issued in OJEU on 23rd August 2024 IE are introducing a new Battery Electric Multiple Unit Fleet (BEMU) into operation in December 2025. The new fleet comes with various system The Training Lead for the new Dart Plus Fleet and ETCS projects (network wide) will be responsible for developing operational procedures for the DART Plus and all ETCS systems as they are rolled out across the fleet. The role will also involve coordinating, developing, and delivering training programs and modules for these operational procedures to staff.
https://www.96fm.ie/news/96fm-news-and-sport/works-to-twin-track-glounthaune-to-midleton-rail-line-to-start/
Work to begin in September on twin tracking Glounthaune to Midleton.
https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2024/0826/1466736-kishoge/
Looks like some thought has already been given to the next timetable change, with more weekend services on the Kildare line planned (perhaps finally through the park tunnel?)
Didn’t say anything about the UK, I know well they will never use km. The only cross border line in the Republic is the one to Belfast so I don’t see how that’s a barrier to changing our own network. Just speed limits, not too sure about the mileposts.
It's switched back to analogue on that train now, as it's back in regular service the past couple of weeks.
ETCS is always in kph, while running under ETCS the speed limits are shown in the ETCS display so you don't need to do any math or conversion
DART has been fully metric since 1984, ATP display is in kph, OHLE datum is in metres. First revenue use of ETCS will be DART.
On the test train there is a conversion chart on the centre window pillar as once away from ETCS coverage it will be metric speedometer as there is only the ETCS display now.
The analog speedometers fitted across the fleets are dual mph/kph units
UK will never switch to km for trains.
Test train for ETCS doesn't have mph, just kph. I'll have a look and see what's coming on the new trains.
Can't see them changing to km/h.
The digital speed display on the 22000 is also in km/h and the clock has both km/h / mph.
Could be wrong but newer DART fleet might be in km/h.
Would that not increase driver workload? Of course, if Dublin could agree with London that they would legislate ETCS 1 as a sufficient replacement for their signalling system including changing to km, and Dublin throwing in say 50% of the cost, that would simplify matters. But then there would be some voices in NI that would damn that as “increased divergence from Britain, another regulatory Irish Sea border” or whatever
We should do that anyways, and change all mileposts, etc.
