Dart+

[Branchline121]

90% sure I saw the unit on the main line outside Inchicore this morning.

[ttc0169]

2 hours ago, Branchline121 said:

90% sure I saw the unit on the main line outside Inchicore this morning.

You probably did….preparing for out road testing during the night I heard. 

[Darrman]

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2025/02/significant-milestone-reached-in-modernising-irelands-railway.html

Signalling marches on: installation of ETCS level 1 from Greystones to Dundalk is complete, ready for the new Darts to use when they arrive and are tested. I assume going all the way to Dundalk will save Irish Rail some bother when the new Enterprises roll in. Hopefully they get started with wiring up to Maynooth sooner or later: Irish Rail's network statement (see Annex 1, p37) has several track lowering possessions pencilled in. The first one on the M3 Parkway branch has already happened: has anyone spotted any differences?

[hurricanemk1c]

9 hours ago, Darrman said:

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2025/02/significant-milestone-reached-in-modernising-irelands-railway.html

Signalling marches on: installation of ETCS level 1 from Greystones to Dundalk is complete, ready for the new Darts to use when they arrive and are tested. I assume going all the way to Dundalk will save Irish Rail some bother when the new Enterprises roll in. Hopefully they get started with wiring up to Maynooth sooner or later: Irish Rail's network statement (see Annex 1, p37) has several track lowering possessions pencilled in. The first one on the M3 Parkway branch has already happened: has anyone spotted any differences?

I'd take that list with a pinch of salt. For example that M3 Parkway branch one didn't happen. It's a guide but things move around

[jhb171achill]

32 minutes ago, hurricanemk1c said:

I'd take that list with a pinch of salt. For example that M3 Parkway branch one didn't happen. It's a guide but things move around

Virtually every single announcement made in recent years has either not been delivered, delivered way later than suggested, or delivered in a different way; or still in planniong, but with variatioons from the original.

The debate over what will replace the 26 class in Cork, and when, and as a result of what precise movements in the Dublin or Limerick areas, has had more variations than I've had hot dinners. An announcement that Youghal will receive J15s and 6-wheel coaches again, and Limerick - Galway a couple of D17s would barely surprise me now; though to such extent as it might be a surprise, it would be a most pleasant one!

[Colin_McLeod]

2 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

An announcement that Youghal will receive J15s and 6-wheel coaches again, and Limerick - Galway a couple of D17s would barely surprise me now; though to such extent as it might be a surprise, it would be a most pleasant one!

@jhb171achill that was supposed to be confidential !!  Did you not read the embargo date on the press release?   lol  

[Mol_PMB]

1 hour ago, Colin_McLeod said:

@jhb171achill that was supposed to be confidential !!  Did you not read the embargo date on the press release?   lol  

There’s some spare locos and rolling stock in the North. A blue GM (or indeed a GN 4-4-0) and a rake of RPSI stock would be just the thing for Limerick-Galway services. I expect a WT would put in a good performance on the Youghals with a short train. 

[leslie10646]

27 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

There’s some spare locos and rolling stock in the North. A blue GM (or indeed a GN 4-4-0) and a rake of RPSI stock would be just the thing for Limerick-Galway services. I expect a WT would put in a good performance on the Youghals with a short train. 

Don't tell Ken Fox that or he'll be clamouring to his union for them to bring No.4 and a rake of coaches down for him keep his hand in every day!

[Branchline121]

5 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Virtually every single announcement made in recent years has either not been delivered, delivered way later than suggested, or delivered in a different way; or still in planniong, but with variatioons from the original.

Probably for the best: Dublin should bide the time it has left until it’s cursed with the Heuston West station “building.”

 

I suppose I should be looking on the bright side — at least Spencer Dock looks presentable.

[GSR 800]

1 hour ago, Branchline121 said:

Probably for the best: Dublin should bide the time it has left until it’s cursed with the Heuston West station “building.”

 

I suppose I should be looking on the bright side — at least Spencer Dock looks presentable.

I didn't realise they were building the bertie bowl again?

[Darrman]

https://www.greystonesguide.ie/hourly-wicklow-town-dart-by-2028i/

This piece mostly consists of councillors talking hot air, but a date of 2028 for hourly Dart service to Wicklow (via battery) is given. Platforms at Wicklow and Kilcoole will be extended to fit. Some reduction of the Bray-Greystones single section is mentioned (without details as to how - I'll interpret "Irish Rail will seek to double the track in some strategic areas north of Greystones" as a passing loop between the end of the Bray Head tunnels and Greystones station but don't quote me on that). There's vague statements of Dart+ Coastal South being split in phases (Bray-Greystones being phase 1) and the fate of the Rosslare intercity trains is not addressed.

[Branchline121]

The new DART has been on the line, as seen on this Facebook post.

First new type since the ICRs I'm guessing? Interesting nonetheless.

[leslie10646]

24 minutes ago, Branchline121 said:

The new DART has been on the line, as seen on this Facebook post.

First new type since the ICRs I'm guessing? Interesting nonetheless.

My goodness - it looks just like that new model Paddy showed at Clontarf!

[Darrman]

Seeing testing begin on the new Darts is good news. However, I bring bad news from my daily search of Irish Rail.

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/legal-challenges-delay-plans-to-extend-dart-from-dublin-to-maynooth/a346743761.html

The headline speaks for itself. Construction is delayed until late 2026-early 2027 pending resolution of legal challenges. As for who to blame, I'll just quote the Independent directly:

Quote

The judicial reviews have been lodged by a hardware and electrical wholesale company located close to the Navan Road and Ashtown train station [sic], along with another private company, Gowan Motor Group, who have separately lodged a judicial review in the High Court against the decision.

Considering the state of the Irish justice system (it's of a similar calibre to the Irish planning system), I have little faith in this being resolved swiftly. Can anything be built in this country?

[leslie10646]

Darrman, have no such fears - someone in "Authority" will read a few pages of relevant railway history and realise that you just "Buy them off". It happened endlessly in the 19th century to ensure that a railway line got built.

Maybe one of you good citizens of the Republic could send a suitable Railway History to the Irish rail solicitor?

[Branchline121]

Video hot off the press:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=yLmnSDxKxCE

[Mayner]

Battery trains returning to Dublin suburban services 93 years after Drumm Battery trains A&B entered regular service between Dublin & Bray in 1932

Edited Saturday at 23:54 by Mayner