IÉ 29000 Class

Iarnród Éireann 29000 Class
29409 departing from platform 4 at Dublin Connolly in July 2016
Interior
In service30 June 2003 – present
ManufacturerCAF
Family nameCxK
Constructed2002 – 2005
Number built29 trainsets
Formation4 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers29001–29029
Capacity
  • 185 seated
  • 634 standing
OperatorCommuter
DepotDrogheda Depot
Lines served
  • Dublin - Rosslare
  • Dundalk Clarke - Dublin
  • Dublin – Longford
Specifications
Train length81.46 m (267 ft 3 in)
Width2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height3.985 m (13 ft 0.9 in)
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Weight43,520 kg (43.52 t)
Prime moverMAN D2876
Power output400 hp (300 kW)
TransmissionHydraulic, Voith T211
Braking systemsAir, 2 brake discs per axle
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) see Rail gauge in Ireland

The Irish Rail 29000 Class (originally 2900 Class) is a type of four-car Diesel Multiple Unit operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail). The units were built in Spain by CAF in two batches between 2002 and 2005.

Description

The Drivers Cabin of a 29000 Class unit
The cab of a 29000 Class unit

Irish Rail ordered the 2900s in 2000 from CAF, the manufacturer's first order from Ireland. The first unit was delivered in February 2002, and they soon began testing in Limerick. The first units entered service in June of that year on the Northern Commuter service, replacing loco-hauled Mk3s.

As a result of the class' success, 9 additional sets were ordered, entering traffic in late 2005. As there wasn't enough numbers spare for the additional sets in the 29xx range, the class became the 29000s (being numbered by set rather than each individual carriage having a number).

The class were delivered in the dark blue "Commuter" livery, making them the first domestic non-DART stock not to be delivered in black and orange since the early 1960s. Starting in the 2010s, the class begun to be repainted into a two-tone green livery. The final units to receive this livery in 2022 had it applied as a vinyl instead of a repaint.

Deployment

29420 on a Western Commuter service in 2005
29129 departing Drumcondra in February 2008

For a brief period of time from June 2005 to December 2006, a 29000 railcar operated two journeys on a Sunday to Belfast, departing Dublin Connolly at 15.00 and calling at Drogheda MacBride, Dundalk Clarke, Newry, Portadown, Botanic and Belfast Central (now Belfast Lanyon Place) arriving at 17.14 departing at 18.15 for Dublin. They work most Northern Commuter, South Eastern Commuter and Western Commuter services. They have proven to be a very reliable unit despite operating a variety of demanding services including Dublin - Sligo services. They were largely returned to their intended Commuter services since deliveries of 22000 Class DMUs commenced in 2007, which displaced them from Sligo line workings in 2008, though there are still a few services to and from Rosslare Europort with the 29000 Class DMUs. However, they remained in their "Commuter" livery when working this long-distance line.

The November 2009 timetable change finally saw the end of the 29000s running West of Dublin from Heuston to Newbridge/Kildare and Carlow. The services have been operated by 22000 Class DMUs since 2009.

Fleet details

Class Operator Number Year built Cars per Set Unit nos. Notes
29000 Class Commuter 20 2002–2003 4 29001 – 29020
9 2005 29021 – 29029 29022 fitted with in-cab signalling

Routes

Current services

InterCity

Commuter

In addition, these trains occasionally operate services from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Grand Central and Sligo MacDiarmada.

Former services

InterCity

Commuter

A 29000 Class unit features in the intro to RTÉ’s Fair City.

A 29000 Class unit features in the film Leap Year.

Accidents and incidents

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Johnston, Howard; Harris, Ken (2005). Jane's Train Recognition Guide. Collins. p. 267. ISBN 0-00-718226-0. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Kelly, Niall (12 July 2023). "Celebrating 20 years of the 29000 class Irish railcars". Tailte Tours. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  3. ↑ carrigstown89 (6 June 2021). Fair City (3rd January 2021). Retrieved 6 December 2024 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ faircityfan (24 December 2010). Fair City Titles 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2024 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ https://www.rte.ie/archives/2019/0719/1064062-malahide-viaduct-collapse/
  6. ↑ "Investigation Report 2010-R006" (PDF). Dublin: Rail Accident Investigation Unit. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Latest: Investigation launched after train after engine catches fire". 7 June 2016.