UPGRADE OF RAILCAR FLEET
July 2003
RAIL passengers get their first taste of Iarnrod Eireann’s new 80-carriage commuter fleet as the first four carriages begin in-service trials on the Connolly-Dundalk route.
Spokesman Barry Kenny confirms that commuters will benefit significantly as the majority of Drogheda/Dundalk trains will be 8-carriage as opposed to the current four- and six-car.
New features include branded livery, a fully air-conditioned passenger saloon area and an in-carriage audio-visual information system. ‘ These are also the first suburban carriages with CCTV cameras linked to an emergency intercom with the driver who has an in-cab screen,’ explains Mr Kenny.
There are features to benefit mobility-impaired customers including dedicated wheelchair positions, wheelchair-accessible toilets, a manual ramp and call-for-aid buttons.
Exterior livery is designed to highlight doors for the partially-sighted, while there are illuminated door open/close buttons with tactile markings and destination indicators.
The new railcars are launched after 6,000 kilometers of testing by Iarnrod Eireann. EAMON McMahon is an authoritative winner of the inaugural Tom McDonough road race.
The first running of the five-mile event, organised by Dundealgan AC, is a fitting memorial to the late athletics organiser and administrator who died earlier in the year.
The course takes in the start in Jocelyn Street, Castle Road, St Mary’s Road and Chapel Street with the finish line in Seatown.
A warm evening makes conditions difficult for the athletes but there is the consolation that the pleasant weather brings lots of A €20 million refurbishment programme at the former PJ Carroll factory, now part of DkIT, is approved for funding by the government under the National Development Plan.
The property, acquired by Dundalk Institute of Technology for €16 million in 2002, consists of 17,780 sqm of office and people onto the streets to cheer them on, and the 120 runners receive plenty of encouragement along the route.
McMahon, a member of the host club, completely dominates the race, the first mile of which is covered in a fast 4 mins and 25 secs.
Despite a gallant effort by club-mate Tony Hartigan, Eamon is always in control.
He wins in 23:38, with Tony a further 17 seconds away in second position, followed by Clonliffe duo Gerry Finnegan and Padraig Keane.
The first veteran home is Dickie Duffy (Lourdes) in 13th place and the first woman across the line is Connie Kelly (Blackrock) in 22nd. factory space sitting on 18 hectares.
The factory itself, designed by Ronnie Tallon of Scott Tallon Walker in the late 1960s, is a listed property of national and international significance.
DkIT president Denis Cummins says ‘ the refurbishment programme that has now been approved will create new state-ofthe-art teaching, laboratory and staff areas.
‘It will involve the refurbishment of over 11,000 sqm of space within the factory area and will be completed by the end of 2009.’
More than 1000 students and 100 staff will be accommodated within the new facility.
Minister Dermot Ahern adds the work will transform one of the most progressive third-level colleges in the country.
‘It plays a vital role in ensuring that the area has skilled graduates in cutting-edge technology and professions which provide key labour skills.’