Irish Rail selects Alstom for train-charging infrastructure

author: FutureCar Staff    

Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) has awarded a €28 million contract to Alstom for the installation of new charging infrastructure for their BEMU trains. The infrastructure will be installed at Drogheda by the end of 2024 to support the operation of new battery-electric DART+ trains, which will begin service in 2025. This infrastructure will allow the trains to operate to and from Drogheda before the planned electrification of the line and enable them to be recharged during service turnaround at Drogheda.

The project, funded by the National Transport Authority as part of the DART+ Programme, will involve the electrification of three lines at Drogheda and the construction of supporting infrastructure, including a new sub-station at Marsh Road. The charging infrastructure has received planning permission from Louth County Council, and preparatory works are set to begin in late 2023.

Of the initial order of 95 DART+ carriages, 65 will be battery-electric powered and 30 will be electric. The battery-electric units will have 840 kWh of energy per five-carriage train and can operate in up to 10-carriage formations. Before the planned electrification under DART+ Coastal North, the battery-electric DARTs will run on the Dublin to Drogheda service, using the existing 1500V DC overhead lines on the DART from the city center to Malahide and then switching to battery power to reach Drogheda.

The battery-electric DARTs will be capable of running up to 80 kilometers on battery power alone and will be recharged at Drogheda during turnaround between journeys. The charging process will be automated, with the pantograph extending upon arrival to the charging platform to connect to the overhead lines and then lowering again automatically when the train is ready to depart. The charging infrastructure will be able to accommodate up to three 10-carriage length trains per hour. Overnight charging will also take place, and regenerative braking will replenish the batteries while the train is in motion. Additionally, a 3.6 MWh Energy Storage System will be installed at Drogheda to provide additional flexibility and resilience to the power supply from the grid, allowing multiple trains to charge simultaneously.

As part of the DART+ Programme, an additional 90 battery-electric carriages have been ordered, with delivery expected to begin in spring 2026 and service commencing in summer 2026. Similar charging infrastructure is also being considered for other areas in the Greater Dublin Area, as well as for the Cork Commuter network and Wicklow.

Jim Meade, Chief Executive for Irish Rail, expressed excitement about the investment, stating that it will bring new benefits to customers on the Drogheda commuter route. He also mentioned that Irish Rail is currently conducting public consultations for the full electrification and capacity improvements of the Drogheda line under DART+ Coastal North, which will significantly increase service frequency and double the number of commuters who can travel on the route.

Anne Graham, CEO for the National Transport Authority, praised the progress being made with the DART+ project and highlighted its potential to greatly improve passenger capacity and service frequency across the rail network in the Greater Dublin Area. She emphasized that DART+ will encourage sustainable travel choices and contribute to reducing emissions by providing a reliable alternative to private cars.

FutureCar Staff