Irish Rail selects Alstom for train-charging infrastructure

author: FutureCar Staff    

Irish Rail has chosen Alstom for a €28 million contract to install new charging infrastructure for their BEMU trains. This infrastructure will be located at Drogheda and will be completed by the end of 2024. It will enable the new battery-electric DART+ trains, which are set to enter service in 2025, to operate to and from Drogheda before the line is electrified. The infrastructure will also allow the trains to be recharged during service turnaround at Drogheda.

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

Out 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 formations of up to 10 carriages. Before the planned electrification of the DART+ Coastal North, the battery-electric DARTs will run on the Dublin to Drogheda service. They will be powered by the existing 1500V DC overhead lines on the DART route from the city center to Malahide and then switch to battery power for the remainder of the journey to Drogheda.

The battery-electric DARTs can travel up to 80 kilometers on battery power alone and will recharge at Drogheda during turnaround between journeys. The charging process will be automated, with the pantograph extending to connect to the overhead lines upon arrival and then lowering again once the train is ready to depart. The charging infrastructure will be capable of charging up to three 10-carriage length trains per hour. Overnight charging will also take place, and regenerative braking will help replenish the batteries while the trains are 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. These trains will be delivered from Spring 2026 and will enter service from Summer 2026. Similar charging infrastructure is 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 fleet and extra capacity to the Drogheda commuter route in just two years. He also mentioned that public consultation is currently underway for the full electrification and capacity improvements of the Drogheda line under the DART+ Coastal North project. Anne Graham, CEO for the National Transport Authority, welcomed the announcement and emphasized the positive impact that DART+ will have on passenger capacity and service frequency in the Greater Dublin Area. She also highlighted how DART+ will contribute to reducing emissions and providing a reliable alternative to private cars.

FutureCar Staff