Irish Rail Mark 2D Numbering Guide

[228RiverOwenboy]

As always, any additional info, corrections or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Mark 2 First Class (51xx)
5101-5106 = 42 seats in total. At some point in the 1990s, all carriages were fitted with standard class seating and fittings.

 

Mark 2 Composite (515x)
5151-5159 = 24 Standard, 18 First (42 seats in total). At some point in the 1990s, all carriages were fitted with standard class seating and fittings.

 

Mark 2 Standard Class (52xx)
5201-5236 = 64 seats.

In 2000-2001, carriages 5209, 5213, 5216, 5225, 5232, 5233 and 5235 were refurbished and would wear the "Galway" livery. This refurbishment would include the carriages being completely rewired and treated for corrosion, along with new carpets, seats, curtains, tables, toilet fittings and interior ceiling panels.

 

Mark 2 Restaurant (54xx)
5401-5411 = 26 seats, one wheelchair space.

In 1977, 5408 was converted into a Presidential Saloon and was retired in 2011. It is currently on static display at Whitehead Railway Museum.

In 2001, 5411 was refurbished and repainted into the "Galway" livery.

 

Mark 2 EGV (56xx)
5601-5611 = Fitted with Two Detroit 8V-71N of 234hp at 1575rpm powering Two International Electric alternators of 160kW. 

5601 was the only Mark 2 EGV to have been refurbished.

 

On the 31st of March 2008, the final service used with a rake of IÉ Mark 2s would be the 05:05 Athlone - Heuston service.

As of 2025: 5106 (now numbered 304), 5203 (renumbered as 303) and 5408 are currently preserved by the RPSI.

[Mol_PMB]

With both these and the Mk3s, there were some early changes within the first couple of years of use. Particularly relating to first class, composite and catering vehicles. I think the identity of the state coach was changed too. The Mk2s had been intended to run in short rakes, hence the quite large proportion of catering, generator and first class vehicles. Soon the patterns of traffic changed and they were re-formed into fewer, longer rakes.

There were also some further changes to the Mk2d fleet when they were replaced by the Mk3s on the top-link turns, and less first class accommodation was needed on the secondary duties. 

I think your listing is accurate for the post-1990 period but some things would have been different in the 1970s and early 1980s.

The changes were quite well recorded in the IRRS journals of the time and I think I have many of those. I could check through and do a summary for you if you like?

[hurricanemk1c]

The Presidential Mk2 5408 was 5406, they swapped identities for reasons I've never quite understood!