2600 Class
Built in 1993 by Tokyu Car Corporiton.Maximum speed 70mph. Number of cars built 17.
The 2600 class units were the first modern DMU class purchased by Iarnród Éireann. A total of seventeen individual cars were constructed in Japan mainly for use on the new Heuston-Kildare suburban service. The 2600 could also be found on suburban services out of Dublin Connolly and the Cork-Cobh suburban service.These units launched the ARROW brand that was also carried by the 2700 and 2800 class. In 2003 they became the first DMU class to receive the new Commuter branding.
Current Deployment
The 2600 class can be found in the Dublin area operating on the Drogheda line Commuter route. In Cork on the Cobh and Mallow services. They also operate the Ballina-Manulla Junction shuttle. On occasion the can be found working with 2800 class units on the Dublin-Rosslare Europort Intercity service.
2700 Class
Built in 1997 by GEC Alstom. Number of cars built 27. Formation 12 two-car and 2 single car sets.
The 2700 Class entered service in late 1998 . They operated on suburban services out of Dublin Connolly on the Maynooth and Drogheda/Dundalk routes. In 2000 they began operating on the Dublin Heuston-Kildare route often in 3car formation as the single car units were not permitted to operate by themselves. The 2700 class proved to be rather unreliable on suburban services and on the introduction of the 29000 class a number of cars were transfered to Limerick to operate local services there. In 2004 the 2700 class were introduced onto the Connolly-Rosslare Europort Intercity service. The units were fitted with bicycle racks and parcels area for their new role. The units continued to be unreliable and were temporarily replaced by 29000 class units on the Rosslare Intercity route after only nine months on the service. They returned to work on Commuter services in the Dublin Connolly area untill transfered to Cork in late 2005.
Current Deployment
The 2700 class units operated Regional services out of Limerick to Ennis,Ballybrophy,Limerick Junction,Waterford,Rosslare Europort and Enniscorthy. They operate most Cork-Tralee Regional services. They can also be found on Cobh-Cork-Mallow services.
2800 Class
Built in 2000 by Tokyu Car Corporition. Number of cars built 20. Formation 10 two car sets.
The 2800 Class were built for service on the Maynooth/Longford route which was being expanded after double track was reinstated between Clonsilla and Maynooth. Following the introduction of the 29000 class they were redeployed onto the Arklow/Gorey route replacing the Cravens coaches from the route. A 2car set saw service in the Cork area mostly on the new Killarney service. 2800 units could also be found on the Heuston-Kildare route. In 2005 they replaced the 29000 class on the Dublin Connolly-Rosslare Europort INTERCITY service. Being able to operate in 6car formation made them the ideal unit for the route and have proved very popular on the service.
Current Deployment
All 2800 class units now operate all Dublin Connolly-Rosslare Europort INTERCITY services. They can be found on Maynooth services during the evening peak. They also operate two of the longest DMU diagrams in Ireland. Rosslare Europort-Dundalk and Drogheda-Rosslare Europort. 18 out of the 20 cars can be found in service daily. On occasion the can be found operating with the 2600 class units. The 2800 Class may be replaced on the Rosslare Intercity service by the new 22000 Class in the future.
29000 Class
Built in (2002 batch1) (2005 batch2) by CAF. Number Built 29 four car sets.
The 2900 class were built for service in the Dublin Commuter area.They replaced the last of the Cravens loco hauled stock as well as expanding services on the Maynooth and Drogheda routes.The original batch of twenty sets were numbered 2901-2980. These were renumbered in the 29000 series in 2004 as there was not enough numbers in the 2900 series for the second batch of units due to be delivered in 2005.They replaced 071/Mk2 stock off the Dublin-Sligo service. Services were then increased for 3 to 5 trains a day on that route.
Current Deployment
The 29000 class very much dominate the Commuter scene in the Dublin area. The can be found on Maynooth/Longford,Drogheda/Dundalk,Kildare,Docklands and Gorey Commuter services. They are currently being replaced by new 22000 class units on the Connolly-Sligo route. On Sundays the work a service on the Dublin Heuston-Galway route. The can occasion be found on the Dublin-Rosslare route.
22000 Class
Built in 2007/08 by Hyundai Rotem. Number Built 46 sets. 31 three car and 15 six car sets. Max Speed 100MPH.
The 22000 Class will replace all Mark2 and Mark3 locomotive hauled trains on the Intercity Network. In December 2007 the first 22000 class units entered service on the Dublin Connolly-Sligo service replacing the 29000 class from that route. The Dublin Heuston-Limerick service saw the 22000 class enter service in January 2008. All Intercity services to Tralee,Waterford,Westport and Galway will be operated by the 22000 Class by early 2009. The 22000 class may also operate the Connolly-Rosslare service.
