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. The infrastructure will be installed at Drogheda by the end of 2024, allowing the new battery-electric DART+ trains to operate to and from Drogheda before the line is electrified. The project, funded by the National Transport Authority, will also include the electrification of three lines at Drogheda and the construction of a new sub-station at Marsh Road. Preparatory works are set to begin in late 2023 after securing planning permission from Louth County Council.

The initial order of 95 DART+ carriages, set to enter service in 2025, includes 65 battery-electric and 30 electric units. The battery-electric trains will have 840 kWh of energy per five-carriage train and can operate in up to 10-carriage formations. Before the planned electrification, the battery-electric DARTs will run on the Dublin to Drogheda service, using the existing overhead lines in the city center and then switching to battery power to reach Drogheda. They 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 the charging platform upon arrival and then lowering again once the train is ready to depart. The charging infrastructure will have a throughput capacity of up to three 10-carriage length trains per hour. Overnight charging and regenerative braking will also help replenish the batteries. Additionally, a 3.6 MWh Energy Storage System will be installed at Drogheda to provide flexibility and resilience to the power supply from the grid.

As part of the DART+ Programme, an additional 90 battery-electric carriages have been ordered, with delivery expected to start in Spring 2026. Similar charging infrastructure is being considered for 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 fleets and extra capacity to the Drogheda commuter route in just two years. He also mentioned the ongoing public consultation for full electrification and capacity improvements for the Drogheda line under DART+ Coastal North. Anne Graham, CEO for National Transport Authority, welcomed the announcement and emphasized the positive impact DART+ will have on passenger capacity and service frequency in the Greater Dublin Area, contributing to reduced emissions and providing a reliable alternative to private cars.

FutureCar Staff