DART+ (DART Expansion)

I saw this just the other day as well, however I assumed that Metrolink just assumed that this would be happening when coming up with their plans and then because it wasn’t included in the DART+ plans, it wasn’t happening, however is this something Metrolink will themselves undertake?? Would be a good link to have and definitely increase operating capacity and flexibility, especially under line possessions…

That is a great improvement to what we can see done with Spencer Dock. I am not sure why they aren't including these in D+ west, as even without ML it would be good to be able to send extra services to SD. There is planned to be a construction compound where the crossover would be, though I am not sure why that couldn't be moved?

The DART+ West RO shows a structure to be demolished at the location of the crossover. The MetroLink RO proposes a new section of track through that area. It's possible the cleared area will be a site compound for DART+ West, with the track added afterward: the link is so short that it might not even need an extra OHLE gantry.

apparently those dates are straight from Ann Graham at a WCC meeting. It's presumably not as simple as "sending" them to Wicklow Town, charging stations will be needed, signalling upgrades probably required on the Greystones-Wicklow section. There may be some dependencies tying it to Dart+ South as well - if there's a Dart every 20 mins to Greystones, perhaps they're planning to send every 3rd one on to Wicklow.

https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/bray-people/20241016/282076282326909?srsltid=AfmBOorvn-vAyK7KHBmcg5zP7_sf2j74kri_cnxtZny3k2hDhohGnbu7

Just came across the above article which has more details. NTA's Hugh Creegan clarifies it will indeed be 4 or 5 years before the battery electric fleet will come to Wicklow by the time they get planning permission for the charging station. Eamon Ryan had said in the Dáil in February that it could be in place by 2026.

Thanks for that. Do you know why they say a third platform would be needed at Greystones for a diesel shuttle? Couldn't they just use the relatively unused platform #2?

I believe the accessibility of the station is being improved as part of the Wicklow Port Access project.

Or just have intercity passengers interchange with the Dart at Wicklow which seems to be their preferred plan. Would allow more services between Wexford and Wicklow. As you say it's not an insurmountable problem.

Testing of the new fleet will take place on under engineering possession between Inchicore and Hazelhatch overnight, charged during the day in Inchicore, so they will only get two runs a night really. This does NOT require ETCS, the ETCS subsystem will run in L0 mode as it hasn't hit a Eurobalises to enable L1, all the system will do is show a 145kph max speed limit hook

Under engineering possession there is no requirement for any safety systems as everything is supervised and there is agreement as to the safe method of work. The testing is there to validate the safety systems work. All systems will be tested statically before leaving Inchicore.

Once initial testing is undertaken the train will move to testing on the existing DART line which is ETCS fitted for ETCS and OHLE testing again under engineering possession

Then it will move to testing on the live network, they can get a return Malahide-Drogheda run without charging as the charging gear there won't be ready for some time.

Under what circumstances would it not be feasible for the track to be lowered?

Apologies if I’m being overly inquisitive, I’m not a railway engineer and just have a general interest.

Maynooth line is next to a canal, you would rather the rail height to be above canal level at all times due risk of flooding, so lowering is not ideal in this case

This would be a restoration of part of the original Glasnevin Junction layout. The original link frpm the Phoenix Park tunnel line to the North Wall and the docks (up to the early years of the 20th century) was via the MGWR line, as the GSWR line via Drumcondra and North Strand Junction was much later. So if its restoration of old track what if any planning permission is required?

However while it makes the overall laybout more flexible, it also complicates matters with much more scope for conflicting paths, You don't get something for nothing.

Additionally, the platform was shortened when the new bridge was built.

All listed in the planning docs for each of the DART+ project

Yeah, you always see water level above the sleepers at Broom Bridge, when the canal rises.

Ah I didn't realise, that's a shame. They made it sounds like Wicklow town services were closer than that. Though, I understand the rest are required for DART service, but are the platform extensions needed? I know it would be required to send full length units, which I assume will be possible once the extension is complete, but at least if the other works are complete before the platform extensions could they send half length units?