The New DART Trains for Dublin Are Here!

There's a new train coming to the DART, and so at Irish Rail’s Inchicore Works, Alstom had a launch event to get up close and look at their X’trapolis commuter train that they are delivering as part of the DART+ programme.

[geofftech]

Hang on. I didn’t do an Elbow test did I? 💪

[stephenoreilly]

Geoff, an honour for all us train enthusiasts in Ireland to have you here reporting on the new dart trains! Thank you ❤️🇮🇪

[igorsiuda]

Did you know that these trains are produced in my country, Poland? These were produced at the ex-Konstal plant in Chorzów (kho-shoof), a neighbouring city to Katowice (kah-toh-vee-tsay), capital of Silesia voivodeship.

[johncassels]

"Emergency panto down" Oh no it isn't! Oh yes it is! (etc.) 😁 - More seriously, thanks for another great informative video.

[pokemonpasta]

For those who are unaware, the DART network currently only runs from Greystones (south of Bray) up to Malahide and Howth in the north - this can be seen on the map shown at 8:55. As you can see it's not amazing coverage currently, only serving the coast and city centre.

Aside from the trams, this is the only electrified rail in Dublin, and indeed the country, hence the battery/electric stock that will allow services to Drogheda in the north, Maynooth and Hazelhatch & Celbridge in the west and potentially Wicklow in the south (as someone who regularly commutes from south of dublin, I certainly hope)

Ireland is a small country with very old rail lines, and we've not done the best job of keeping the infrastructure up to date. The result now is the DART, Commuter and Intercity services into Dublin all have to share these lines which makes for a very busy network. The DART shown off in this video is going to be in testing for a year due to the limited time in the schedule.

Again looking at the map at 8:55, each branch shown has intercity services running through it. The north one has Belfast trains, northwest has Sligo trains, Southwest has Mayo (I think), Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Cork and Waterford services, and the South one has Wexford/Rosslare services. The schedule is tightly packed and additional services on one branch will impact another - this is one of the reasons there's only 6 Wexford trains a day (3 on the weekend).

I don't mean to sound too cynical, I am very excited about the new DARTs, I just want to offer some perspective as to why the choice of battery, why these DARTs could be very valuable, and broadly why rail around dublin is a bit behind where it could be.

[rikufryderyk]

I found it really impressive how you managed to record so much despite all the noise of the other press members. I’m looking forward to hearing more about these trains in the future…

[ciaran_ohaolain]

Awesome to see this being covered by you Geoff, thanks for taking the trip across the sea! We're moving house soon and expect to be taking these trains near-daily on the to-be DART+ Coastal North line. So nice to see what's going to become a part of our everyday lives in the next while, and the people behind some of it all.

[xq.mp]

I can predict how every geoff video opens:

camera fades into a cinematic shot of the area he's in
he starts saying where he is
halfway through that, the camera cuts to him talking
he then says what he's going to do.

its the same format every time, and i love it.

[PartrickLane]

Thanks, Geoff, for coming to Dublin to cover these superb trains and giving them a thorough review. Great pointers on what to look out for on these trains.

[robertaries]

Love the accessibility of this new rolling stock

[nicholaskelly]

Er Geoff, The new DART units are NOT the first BEMU vehicles to operate in the Dublin area.
Between 1932 and 1959 the service to Bray from Dublin was operated by the Drumm Battery Electric Units. They were the brainchild of Dr James J. Drumm
Four 2-car articulated units were built by the Great Southern Railway at Inchicore Works.
The first pair 'A' and 'B' being built in 1931 the second pair 'C' and 'D' being built in 1938.
The Drumm BEMU trains had a maximum speed of 60mph/97kph (a speed of 72mph/116kph was claimed in service). With a range of 40 miles /64 kilometres on a single charge. The maximum power output being 600hp.
The units were equipped with pantographs for recharging at the terminal stations.
They could seat 140 passengers and had an all up weight of 85 tons.
They were withdrawn from service in 1949 due to the deteriorating capacity of their batteries.
CIE then converted them into locomotive hauled coaching stock.
Following a period of disuse they were scrapped. With 'A' and 'B' being cut between 1956 and 1957.
The other two units 'C' and 'D' following in 1964.

[rispourt]

Hi Geoff really great to see you back in Ireland very informative and interesting video loved the technical aspect much appreciated maybe you you would consider more videos from Ireland, lots of subscribers here

[kevindennehy]

Thanks Geoff.
FWIW the priority seats were supposed to get very different colours to differentiate them, and to make them more visible for those with poor eyesight, a pity they went with just a logo on the headrest. Opportunity missed.
The light/dark blue colours on the moquette represents the colours of the Dublin GAA (football & hurling) teams. Wavy lines represent the coast, river and canals along which the train lines run.

[ThereispeaceinourheartsPC]

The new feature of the trains that Ireland has supported is distinctive and deserves appreciation and admiration, such as a system that alerts the driver while driving. As well as separate vehicles that can be driven independently when the lower limb parts are independent of the vehicles. Thank you for sharing this truly incredible moment. Thank you to all Irish Rail staff and ALSTOM staff.

It is a new launch in the European car market. All thanks to the Irish. 🇮🇪🇪🇺

[smjrn]

That looks like the ship I took from Dublin to Hollyhead, except I did that in the middle of the night. The improvements they made with these new trains in room and for handicapped riders is truly amazing. The sensors for the driver to know there is a wheelchair in that space is an advantage should that person need assistance. Great video! Off to watch the bonus video!!!

[aoge]

What an impressive train, well done DART.
I can remember traveling to Pearce St in the days before the DART. It was dark, damp, dirty, not an enjoyable journey. Then the DART came along, a big improvement, now with DART+ it looks like a another great leap forward.

[radharcanna]

That train looks fantastic. Really looking forward to seeing them next year. The present trains are looking very tired after 40 years. Good to see new and modern trains. And more legroom too! Exciting times ahead. A great video Geoff.

[thomasreilly]

Hopefully they will build a rail link from Dublin Airport to the city centre and out as far as Navan and Kells.
So we are no longer the only country in Europe without a rail link to its airport.
Build it and we will use it!!!
Excellent work Geoff

[DCProductions]

Melbourne (Australia) has got X'Trapolis units too, but they look very different from these new DART units, and have been around for over 20 years. Incidentally, the suburban lines in Melbourne use the same track gauge as Ireland.

[robertcartwright]

Congratulations, Dublin, on your beautiful new trains, and with more knee room, too! I have to admit, though, that my foamer's heart was also made glad by your old trains. Surface running, high-floor, overhead power, and rectilinear styling; mmmm ... so nice.