‘Strengthened’ NIR 4000 Class enters service

SEPTEMBER 30 saw the first of Northern Ireland Railways’ newly strengthened and refurbished 4000 Class DMUs enter service, incorporating three of the 21 new walk-through carriages that were delivered from Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) on March 19.

Railcar set No. 4017 was seen off on the 14.15 Belfast Great Victoria Street-Whitehead service by Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon and Translink Group chief executive, Chris Conway. The unit is the first of seven 4000 Class sets that will be increased from three-car to six-car sets as part of a £66 million investment. The vehicles have similar features to the current fleet, including air conditioning, carpeted floors, overhead luggage racks and laminated glass windows.

The next units to be so treated will be Nos. 4014, 4015, 4016, 4018, 4019 and 4020, with the last expected into service in summer 2022.

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