Irish rail fleet and infrastructure plans

BestWestern · 09-06-2026 08:27PM

Time for a 12 penalty point for these drivers.

OisinCooke · 09-06-2026 08:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124535370#Comment_124535370

In terms of doing the Cork Line in phases, I don’t think it’s off the cards with Stadler bi-mode units. If the line was being electrified in stages, I reckon the smart thing to do would be to deliver the units as bi-mode diesel with 25kV AC capability, rather then 1.5kV DC.

This would allow the units to run under the wires between Cork and Mallow and then continue the rest of the way on diesel, but with the condition that each new section between Mallow and Dublin that is electrified can be immediately integrated into the service.

It makes more sense to do AC from the get-go than DC for a few reasons: firstly the “existing” section of electrification between Mallow and Cork at AC current will be longer than the Hazelhatch to Heuston section at DC current, so there is more value for electricity here, so to speak.

Secondly, obviously if the electrification is being extended in stages beyond Mallow, then the train can just start operating on these sections immediately, rather than the sections sitting idle until the entire line is finished.

Finally, from my little knowledge, and from what @goingnowhere was saying, DC power units seem to be a lot easier to retrospectively install than AC power units, so theoretically, the trains are out of commission for overhaul for a shorter amount of time.

Jamie2k9 · 09-06-2026 09:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124537479#Comment_124537479

The Irish Gov will foot the bill or 50% for this before they do for electification of Waterford/Rosslare/Galway/Tralee lines under Shared Island fund.

outlyer · 09-06-2026 11:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124537913#Comment_124537913

Yep, there is no need for 1.5kV DC units on the Cork line. If you look at the DART+ SW drawings the 1.5kV DC is proposed on the north two lines west of Inchicore apart for some shunting setup on the up fast line at Hazelhatch. The two intercity lines west of Hazelhatch run onto the existing down lines with the up-line west of Hazelhatch reconnected to the down slow.

I’d say the intercity lines will ultimately be 25kV AC all the way into Heuston with little need for cross over of services. Not sure how the commuter services are to operate after DART+.

goingnowhere · 10-06-2026 09:17AM

Operationally and safety wise it would be a lot better to have 1500V on all lines into Heuston

Economics101 · 10-06-2026 09:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124538801#Comment_124538801

Agreed. Whatever about safety, if you have 2 different voltages between Hazlehatch and Heuston (or Islandbridge Junction), there will be no flexibility for crossover manouevers in emergency situations or when there are possessions for maintenance. Switch over at about 1km beyond Hazlehatch; a bit like suggestions that a similar switchover be on the Belfast line just north of the Boyne viaduct.

goingnowhere · 10-06-2026 11:39AM

Avoids a huge problem with EMC and touch voltages.

bk · 10-06-2026 05:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124537016#Comment_124537016

I forget where I read or heard it, and it is really annoying me now, but there was a suggestion that they would be able to run on batteries from Belfast to the border! If that was the case, then it could run without Diesel gens, as in DC to Drogheda, AC Drogheda to the Border and then batteries from the border to Belfast.

I don’t know how likely that really is. We haven’t really seen any official specs on how much batteries and range these trains will have.

I’m glad to hear that they are planning for electrification North of the border and I hope that happens, but as others have said I’m dubious about funding.

bk · 10-06-2026 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124537913#Comment_124537913

That was my assumption too, that it would operate as a bi-mode Diesle and 25kV DC. But it seems goingnowhere is suggesting that might not be possible with the Stadler Trains at least, that they only have space for either Diesel or 25kV AC, but not both.

If I’m understanding that correctly and it is the case, then it would certainly complicate phasing. The trains would have to run in Diesel until the entire line is swapped over to AC or at least until enough is done that could be covered by batteries.

Of course another train might be an option like the bi-mode class 800 in the UK. Though it would be a pity not to have fleet commonality and personally I think the Stadler maybe a better train. Certainly it seems to get high praise in the UK versus the 800’s.

Anyway it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Economics101 · 10-06-2026 05:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124540493#Comment_124540493

It would be nonsense to have an isolated bit of 25kv from Drogheda to the Border. It only makes sense if there is electrification North of the border. If you knew that there was never going to be electrification North of the border, then you might as well continue with 1500v DC to Dundalk and leave the rest to batteries, diesel or whatever.

Whatever about the South paying for Belfast line electrification (not a fan of this!), there at least has to be a joint planning exercise and a firm committment to whatever is agreed on both sides.

Citizen Six · 20-06-2026 07:55PM

Was it this thread where there was discussion about the lifting bridge on Newcomen, over the canal?
Crane in place there today, and people working on the bridge.

Jamie2k9 · 22-06-2026 06:03PM

Seems the Goverment will announce tomorrow they have found money to upgrade Belfast-Derry route but unable to fund any meaningful upgrades down here…

https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0622/1579575-shared-island-initiative/

"The funding being announced this week will facilitate track renewal and upgrades along the Derry to Belfast route, with the current journey time between the cities more than two hours.

The fund is great if your on a route impacted, funding for new fleet, track upgrades and even electrification to Drogheda signed off yet DoT officials delay any railway investment.

Navan would be fully approved and funded by now if it went close to the border!

Economics101 · 22-06-2026 08:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571606#Comment_124571606

The only good reason I can think for the Irish Government funding improvements in Derry-Belfast is that it might enable a 4-hour Derry-Dublin journey with a quick cross-platform change at Belfast. That would avoid the hugely expensive and extravagant schemes to link Darry and Letterkenny with Dublin by a largely new line

end of the road · 22-06-2026 09:02PM

thing is donegal will have to be linked by rail at some stage whether it be to derry or to dublin.

PlatformNine · 23-06-2026 05:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124572007#Comment_124572007

ah come on now. Derry-Portadown is still needed in its own right and there was a reason it was proposed. It connects many of the most populated towns in the northwest that currently have no rail connection. So honestly, even ignoring Derry, the railway is really needed as a regional corridor.

But when you also start looking at the IC network, there is a lot of benefit to it there too.

For Derry-Belfast, if it can be built for 200kmh and twin-track it will save a good bit of time. a <90-min Derry-Belfast time should be possible. For context, the current line would be the same length as the Derry Road alignment, but starting mostly from scratch means that the Derry Road can actually be rebuilt to a good standard. It also can avoid a lot of the difficult suburban choke points north of belfast, and the route from portadown into Belfast Grand Central is much more direct. Plus a lot of the current line would be quite difficult to upgrade (including a lot of the line just north of Derry), and it is part of why the AISRR pushes for it to be the main Derry-Belfast line.

Then for Derry-Dublin I'd argue it makes even more sense, and would be a night and day difference to the current route. Coupled with AISRR recommendations for the Northern line it would make a ~2hr Derry-Dublin time possible. Then with a Derry-Letterkenny link, I'd hope a ~2:20 Dublin-Letterkenny time would be possible

Irish rail fleet and infrastructure plans

Comments