First intermediates are delivered from Korea

IARNRÓD Éireann (IÉ) took delivery of the first three of an order of 41 new intermediate cars for the ICR fleet. They were off-loaded from the ship

Aal Kobe in Dublin Port on September 7, onto the Ocean Pier rail head, where the IWT liner normally loads and unloads. Vehicle Nos. 22511, 22512 and 22513 were delivered. On September 12, a second tranche of six cars was delivered to Dublin Port – Nos. 22514, 22515, 22516, 22517, 22518 and 22519.

The €118m+VAT contract for the vehicles was directly awarded to Mitsui & Co in October 2019, which originally supplied the 63 Hyundai Rotem units under a framework agreement signed in 2004.

The additional 41 carriages increase the Intercity railcar fleet operating on IÉ from 234 carriages to 275 carriages and are expected to start entering service following commissioning early next year.

On delivery to Dublin Port, the cars were hauled to the former valeting plant at Heuston station, where they will be integrated into a set to allow mileage accumulation before commissioning and entering traffic. ICR No. 22009 will have its B car removed and act as tractor set to allow this to happen. Once cars are ready and commissioned, they will be sent to Laois depot for removal and insertion to their respective sets.

The increased fleet will allow additional services and extra capacity on both Intercity and Commuter routes.

KIERAN MARSHALL On September 7, No. 22512 is pictured touching down on Irish soil for the first time, with No. 22511 already on rails and unwrapped following the sea voyage from Korea. The three vehicles were then hauled by loco No. 072 from Dublin Port to Dublin Heuston valeting plant to commence commissioning.