THE first three of 41 new 22000 Class ICR DMU intermediate cars on order from Hyundai Rotem of South Korea, Nos. 22511/12/13, arrived at Dublin Port on September 7, on the ship Aal Kobe. Another three cars were noted being transferred from the port to Heuston valeting shed by GM No. 088 on the 13th.
The vehicles will be used to strengthen the existing 234-strong fleet. They feature ZF transmission and updated power packs and sport the same livery as the existing stock. The €150 million investment was approved by the Irish government in October 2019.
After the planned rolling introduction of the extra vehicles is completed next year, the fleet will comprise 22 x six-car units, 20 x four-car units and 21 x three-car units, a total of 275 cars. Irish Rail is committed to significantly reducing carbon emissions and it is reported that after completion of this contract no more diesel-powered vehicles will be acquired.
NORTHERN IRELAND RAILWAYS (NIR)
■ TRAFFIC AND TRACTION: The rolling introduction
