Misplaced Pages

Iarnród Éireann: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 13:08, 3 September 2020 edit31.187.4.94 (talk) Station names: Add citation and remove dead link← Previous edit Revision as of 13:17, 3 September 2020 edit undo31.187.4.94 (talk) Operational details: Add citationNext edit →
Line 149: Line 149:
{{See also|Rail transport in Ireland}} {{See also|Rail transport in Ireland}}


Since 2019, Irish Rail has been trying to recruit more female drivers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-rail-recruiting-100-drivers-over-next-four-years-1.3745885|title=Irish Rail recruiting 100 drivers over next four years|work=]|first=Sarah|last=Burns|date=2 January 2019|accessdate=3 September 2020}}</ref>
Since 2019, Irish Rail has been trying to recruit more female drivers.


== Station names == == Station names ==

Revision as of 13:17, 3 September 2020

See also: Rail transport in Ireland

Iarnród Éireann – Irish Rail
File:Irish rail logo.gif
Company type
IndustryRail transport
PredecessorCIÉ Railways Division (1945–1987)
Founded2 February 1987
HeadquartersConnolly Station, Dublin 1, D01 V6V6, Ireland
Area servedIreland
Key peopleJim Meade (Chief Executive)
Frank Allen (Chairman)
RevenueIncrease 280.9 million (2018)
Operating incomeIncrease €496.7 million (2018)
Net incomeIncrease - €1.1 million (2018)
OwnerGovernment of Ireland (100%)
Number of employees3,803 (2018)
ParentCóras Iompair Éireann
SubsidiariesInterCity
Commuter
DART
Iarnród Éireann Freight
Websitewww.irishrail.ie
A 29000 Class Commuter train at Tara Street Station, Dublin, in 2006. The LED display is showing "Destination: Pearse Station" in Irish.
A Mark 4 carriage on the Dublin–Cork railway line
The original four rails logo 1987-1994

Iarnród Éireann (Irish pronunciation: [ˈiəɾˠnˠɾˠoːdˠ ˈeːɾʲən̪ˠ]), also known as Irish Rail in English, is the operator of the national railway network of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ). It operates all internal InterCity, Commuter, DART and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast. In 2019, IÉ carried 50 million passengers, up from 48 million in 2018, and a record peak.

An IÉ 22000 Class DMU (22054) at Drogheda MacBride

Until 2013 Ireland was the only European Union state that had not implemented EU Directive 91/440 and related legislation, having derogated its obligation to split train operations and infrastructure businesses, and allow open access by private companies to the rail network. A consultation on the restructuring of Iarnród Éireann took place in 2012. The derogation ended on 14 March 2013 when the company was split in 2 sectors: Railway Undertaking and Infrastructure Manager.

Organisation

At the time of its establishment, the company referred to itself as Irish Rail and adopted the four rails IR logo. In 1994, the company brought the Irish form of its name to the fore, introducing a logo and corporate branding based on the letters (Iarnród_Éireann) corporate branding and logo. However, both languages remained part of the official company name ("Iarnród Éireann – Irish Rail"). On 29 November 2012, a new logo were introduced with a newly bilingual branding; it did not make its first appearance until January 2013.

Operationally, services are divided across four regional areas:

  • Northern and Eastern services are managed from Connolly (including Sligo in the North-West)
  • Southern and Western services are managed from Heuston

Services

Passenger services

IÉ's passenger services are branded under three main names; InterCity, Commuter and DART.

InterCity

Train passing through the Curragh in County Kildare
Main article: InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)

InterCity services are long-distance routes radiating mainly from Dublin. The Belfast – Dublin service, jointly operated with Northern Ireland Railways, is branded separately as Enterprise. Dublin's two main InterCity stations are Connolly and Heuston. Intercity services run to/from Cork, Limerick, Tralee, Ennis, Galway, Waterford, Rosslare Europort, Sligo, Westport, Wexford and Ballina. Dublin's third major station, Pearse, is the terminus for much of the suburban network in the Greater Dublin area. An additional InterCity service runs from Limerick to Waterford. This service formerly operated through to Rosslare Europort but services between Waterford and Rosslare Europort ceased after the last train on 18 September 2010. Bus Éireann now operates route 370 through the affected towns as replacement transport.

A new service began on 31 March 2010 from Limerick to Galway, as part of the Western Rail Corridor, reopening the long-closed line.

A January 2012 national newspaper article suggested that Iarnród Éireann was expected to seek permission in the near future from the National Transport Authority to close the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line and the Limerick–Waterford line.

Commuter

Main article: Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)
A 29000 Class South-Eastern Commuter train approaching Bray

The majority of Commuter services are based in Dublin, which has four commuter routes: Northern (Dundalk), Western (Maynooth/Longford), South-Western (Newbridge/Kildare/Portlaoise) and South-Eastern (Gorey). See Dublin Suburban Rail for more details. The Cork Suburban Rail currently has three Commuter services: to Mallow and Cobh, and a third service to Midleton which became operational on a part of the disused Youghal branch line on 30 July 2009. Limerick Suburban Rail currently consists of two lines to Ennis and Nenagh, with shuttle services to Limerick Junction. A Commuter service operates between Galway to Oranmore and Athenry.

Commuter trains also operate on shuttle duty for branches from the main InterCity services from Mallow to Tralee (off the Dublin – Cork route) and from Manulla Junction to Ballina (off the Dublin – Westport route), as well as acting as InterCity trains for Dublin – Rosslare and some Dublin – Sligo services, and as the aforementioned Limerick – Limerick Junction – Waterford service.

DART

A DART 8500 Class in Greystones
Interior of the DART 8520 Class
Main article: Dublin Area Rapid Transit

The North-South route along Dublin's eastern coastal side is also host to DART, Ireland's only electrified heavy-rail service. The DART consists of many classes, the oldest and most famous one being the 8100 class which still operates, now extensively refurbished.

A DART 8520 Class arriving at Connolly Station

Services Table

The following is a simplified table of weekday off-peak services, various irregular calling patterns have been omitted for clarity.

Route Frequency Calling at
Enterprise Dublin Connolly to Belfast Lanyon Place 1tp2h Drogheda MacBride, Dundalk Clarke, Newry, Portadown, Lurgan (1tpd), Lisburn (1tpd)
service jointly-operated with NI Railways
Sligo Intercity Dublin Connolly to Sligo Mac Diarmada 1tp2h Drumcondra, Maynooth, Kilcock, Enfield, Mullingar, Edgeworthstown, Longford, Dromod, Carrick-on-Shannon, Boyle, Ballymote, Collooney
Mayo Intercity Dublin Heuston to Westport 4tpd Kildare (1tpd), Portarlington, Tullamore, Athlone, Roscommon, Castlerea, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, Castlebar
Manulla Junction to Ballina 1tp2h Foxford
Galway Intercity Dublin Heuston to Galway Ceannt 1tp2h Portarlington, Tullamore, Clara, Athlone, Ballinasloe, Woodlawn, Attymon (1tpd), Athenry, Oranmore
Limerick Intercity Dublin Heuston to Limerick Colbert 1tph Portlaoise, Ballybrophy (1tpd), Templemore (2tpd), Thurles, Limerick Junction
2tpd Portlaoise, Ballybrophy, Roscrea, Cloughjordan, Nenagh, Birdhill, Castleconnell
Cork Intercity Dublin Heuston to Cork Kent 1tph Newbridge (1tpd), Kildare (2tpd), Portarlington (2tpd) Portlaoise, Ballybrophy (2tpd) Templemore (1tpd), Thurles, Limerick Junction, Charleville (1tpd), Mallow
Tralee Intercity Mallow to Tralee 1tp2h Banteer, Millstreet, Rathmore, Killarney, Farranfore
Waterford Intercity Dublin Heuston to Waterford Plunkett 8tpd Hazelhatch and Celbridge (1tpd), Sallins and Naas (1tpd), Newbridge (3tpd), Kildare (7tpd), Athy, Carlow, Muine Bheag, Kilkenny, Thomastown
Wexford Intercity Dublin Connolly to Gorey 5tpd Tara Street, Dublin Pearse, Grand Canal Dock (2tpd northbound-only), Lansdowne Road (2tpd northbound-only), Blackrock (2tpd northbound-only), Dun Laoghaire Mallin, Bray Daly, Greystones, Kilcoole (2tpd northbound, 3tpd southbound), Wicklow, Rathdrum, Arklow
4tpd extend to/from Rosslare Europort, calling at Enniscorthy, Wexford and Rosslare Strand. Additional 1tpd southbound-only to Wexford.
Waterford - Limerick Waterford Plunkett to Limerick Junction 2tpd Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Cahir, Tipperary
Limerick - Galway Limerick Colbert to Ennis 4tpd Sixmilebridge
Limerick Colbert to Galway Ceannt 5tpd Sixmilebridge, Ennis, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell, Athenry, Oranmore
Athenry to Galway Ceannt 2tpd Oranmore
Northern Commuter Dublin Connolly to Drogheda MacBride / Dundalk Clarke 1tph Howth Junction and Donaghmede (1tpd), Clongriffin (1tpd), Portmarnock (2tpd), Malahide, Donabate, Rush & Lusk, Skerries, Balbriggan, Gormanston, Laytown
some peak trains run to/from Dundalk Clarke, Dublin Pearse, Bray Daly, Gorey, Rosslare Harbour or Newry
South Eastern Commuter Dublin Connolly to Gorey 1tpd Tara Street, Dublin Pearse, Lansdowne Road, Sydney Parade, Blackrock, Dun Laoghaire Mallin, Bray Daly, Greystones, Kilcoole (2tpd northbound, 3tpd southbound), Wicklow, Rathdrum and Arklow
South Western Commuter Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch and Celbridge 1tph Dublin Pearse, Tara Street, Dublin Connolly, Drumcondra, Park West and Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin/Fonthill and Adamstown
Dublin Heuston to Portlaoise 1tph Park West and Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin/Fonthill, Adamstown, Hazelhatch and Celbridge, Sallins and Naas, Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin and Portarlington
Western Commuter Dublin Connolly to Maynooth 2tph Drumcondra, Broombridge, Ashtown, Navan Road Parkway, Castleknock, Coolmine, Clonsilla, Leixlip Confey and Leixlip Louisa Bridge
Clonsilla to M3 Parkway 1tph Hansfield and Dunboyne At peak times extends to/from Docklands, calling all stations.
Cork Commuter Cork Kent to Midleton 1tph Littleisland, Glounthaune and Carrigtwohill
Cork Kent to Cobh 1tph Littleisland, Glounthaune, Fota, Carrigaloe and Rushbrooke
DART Howth to Bray Daly 3tph Sutton, Bayside, Howth Junction & Donaghmede, Kilbarrack, Raheny, Harmonstown, Killester, Clontarf Road, Dublin Connolly, Tara Street, Dublin Pearse, Grand Canal Dock, Lansdowne Road, Sandymount, Sydney Parade, Booterstown, Blackrock, Seapoint, Salthill & Monkstown, Dun Laoghaire Mallin, Sandycove & Glasthule, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney and Shankill. 1tph extended to Greystones.
Malahide to Bray Daly 3tph Portmarnock, Clongriffin, Howth Junction & Donaghmede, Kilbarrack, Raheny, Harmonstown, Killester, Clontarf Road, Dublin Connolly, Tara Street, Dublin Pearse, Grand Canal Dock, Lansdowne Road, Sandymount, Sydney Parade, Booterstown, Blackrock, Seapoint, Salthill & Monkstown, Dun Laoghaire Mallin, Sandycove & Glasthule, Glenagerary, Dalkey, Killiney and Shankill. 1tph extended to Greystones.

Freight services

Iarnród Éireann also has responsibility for running freight services on the Irish network through its Freight Division – which recorded a tonnage decrease of 11.8% in 2018, and as of 2019 there are 3 freight flows running throughout the country. This operates both Railfreight trains and a network of road haulage through various distribution nodes throughout the country. Iarnród Éireann Freight is subdivided into three sections:

  • Bulk Freight – specialises in operating full trainloads of freight, usually bulk movements of single products such as cement, mineral ore or timber.
  • Intermodal – container trains, currently operated between Waterford Port and Ballina and Dublin Port and Ballina.
  • Navigator – the freight forwarding division, particularly associated with the transport of automotive stock parts.

Operational details

The Dublin-Belfast Enterprise, which is jointly operated by IE/NIR, seen at Connolly Station awaiting its next departure to Belfast

The Enterprise route (Dublin to Belfast) is well regarded. However, it is only double track and serves both local and intermediate Commuter as well as InterCity traffic. Hence any delay has knock-on effects. Also, there is limited platform availability at Connolly Station in Dublin. There was also a persistent problem with engine overloading, as Enterprise locomotives also supplied coach power. However, since September 2012, additional power is provided by separate Mark 3 generator vans.

The Cork-Dublin route was formerly the "premier line" of the Great Southern and Western Railway, one of the biggest pre-CIÉ operators. Rolling stock on this route consists of Mark 4 trains, which were built in Spain, complete with DVTs for faster turn-around. 22000 Class DMUs built in South Korea came into service from early 2007 replacing older coaching stock on most other InterCity routes. These 183 carriages are described by the company as the "Greenest diesel trains in Europe".

The former Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD had announced that an additional 51 railcars had been ordered for the company for a planned introduction on services between Dublin, Louth, and Meath. They were placed into service in 2011/2012 but this plan was badly affected by the recession with 21 surpluses to requirements at the end of 2012.

The maximum speed of InterCity trains on the IÉ rail network is 160 km/h (100 mph).

Westport Railway Station
See also: Rail transport in Ireland

Since 2019, Irish Rail has been trying to recruit more female drivers.

Station names

IÉ 2750 Class DMU (2753) at Inchicore Works

Although the majority of Iarnród Éireann's stations are simply named after the towns they serve, a number of stations in major towns and cities were renamed after leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, on its 50th Anniversary in 1966:

Network Catering

IÉ's Network Catering unit provided a trolley service of food and drink, a snack car and (on some routes) a restaurant service. It also operated a restaurant at Dún Laoghaire. According to Iarnród Éireann's annual report, the unit lost €297,000 in 2004. Early in 2006, Iarnród Éireann advertised for private catering contractors to take over the operation of its catering services. The service was taken over by Rail Gourmet in March 2007. Rail Gourmet later withdrew from the contract and no longer provide catering for any Irish Rail services.

Drumcondra Station

Rolling stock used by Iarnród Éireann

The Company has a fleet size consisting of 547 carriages (excluding the Enterprise service):

  • InterCity services have a fleet of 265 carriages.
  • Commuter services have a fleet of 148 carriages.
  • DART services have a fleet of 134 carriages.
  • Dublin-Belfast Enterprise has a fleet of 28 carriages.

InterCity and Enterprise fleet

Locomotive fleet

Current

Former

Commuter fleet

An Iarnród Éireann 29000 Class DMU (29409) at Dublin Connolly

Current

Former

DART fleet

IÉ 8300 Class at Dún Laoghaire

Current

Former

Future fleet

IÉ's increasing fleet usage has led to requirements being made for the procurement of additional vehicles. DART services are running with all trains formed of 4-8 cars, while 54 sets of 63 fleet of ICRs are committed to services with 56 required on Friday. To this end, IÉ plans to purchase a significant number of new ICR vehicles - an initial purchase of 41 will be made for delivery in 2021, comprising three new trains, with the remainder planned as intermediate vehicles to lengthen existing units. The deal for the new vehicles is intended to include options for up to 40 further vehicles. There are also plans for a total replacement of the existing DART fleet, which will be combined with extensions to the DART network. The framework for the DART fleet is planned for up to 600 vehicles formed into four-car and eight-car sets, split into both pure EMU and BEMU trains. For immediate fleet capacity increases, IÉ planned refurbishment of its 2700 Class DMUs, which was subsequently cancelled. Instead, IÉ is discussing the possibility of sourcing surplus DMUs from the British network, with Class 170s and Class 185s available.

See also

References

  1. ^ Iarnród Éireann. "Iarnród Éireann Annual Report 2018" (PDF). Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  2. McCrave, Conor (8 January 2020). "'Strong growth' for public transport sector as passenger numbers increased 9% last year". TheJournal.ie.
  3. Sources:
  4. ^ Reilly, Jerome (3 March 2013). "Irish Rail defends new logo cost". Irish Independent.
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. McCárthaigh, Seán (2 January 2012). "Iarnród Éireann may close rail service amid falling demand". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012.
  7. "National and Commuter Fleet Investment". Iarnród Éireann. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019.
  8. Burns, Sarah (2 January 2019). "Irish Rail recruiting 100 drivers over next four years". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  9. Duffy, Rónán (30 April 2016). "The 15 Irish railway stations named after the executed 1916 leaders". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  10. "Our Companies". Rail Gourmet. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013.
  11. "Annual Report and Financial Statements 2004" (PDF). Iarnród Éireann. p. 19.
  12. http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/intercity-1 Archived 22 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine Iarnród Éireann InterCity Fleet details
  13. http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/commuter Iarnród Éireann Commuter Fleet details
  14. http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/dart DART Fleet details
  15. ^ Pritchard, Robert (February 2019). "Current and Future Fleet Development on Irish Rail". Today's Railways. Platform 5.

External links

CIÉ
Current rail operators in Ireland
Current Operators
Services
Operated jointly by Iarnród Éireann and Northern Ireland Railways
Transport in Dublin
Air
International airport
Other airports
Cycling
Cycle tracks and bike paths
Bicycle-sharing
Rail
Light rail
Rapid transit
Tram*
Heavy rail
Road
Bus
Bus corridors
Motorways
National primary roads
National secondary roads
Regional roads
European routes
Other
Water
Canals
Ports
Agencies
*=Tram systems no longer run. Information in parentheses shows the operator(s)
National railway companies of Europe
Categories: