The carriages, manufactured by the French firm Alstom and shipped from a factory in Katowice, Poland, were unveiled this morning at Inchicore Railway Works.
In total, Iarnród Éireann has ordered 37 new trains for the Greater Dublin Area, to support the Dart+ expansion on lines extending to Maynooth, Drogheda and Hazelhatch over the next few years.
Speaking at the launch, Irish Rail Chief Executive Jim Meade described the electric and battery-electric trains as “the first of their kind”.
“Our battery electric trains are going to transform the future of public transport, initially in the Greater Dublin Area but across the country over time,” he said.
“These are very eco-friendly trains, with no emissions involved, providing a seamless journey for passengers in a green environment.
“This is part of a €1bn investment, the largest and greenest in public transport in the state’s history,” he added.
Addressing Irish Rail’s plans to expand rail capacity north of Dublin with double-tracking between Connolly Station and Malahide, Mr Meade noted an increase in demand for public transport.
“Over time, we’ll need more track capacity north of Dublin, similar to what we’ve done south of Heuston Station and Kildare,” he said.
“We’re looking at that infrastructure and will be adding to it over time, but the advantage of these new trains is that we can increase services even before that infrastructure work is complete.”
The launch of the Dart+ fleet comes at a time when Irish Rail recently faced criticism for timetable changes and delays in north Dublin in August.
During this period, passengers experienced delays, overcrowding and signalling issues, particularly at Connolly Station.
The Dart+ Coastal North project aims to significantly boost capacity and frequency on the Dublin-Drogheda route.
Once completed, peak hourly capacity between Malahide and Drogheda will almost double, from approximately 4,800 to 8,800 passengers.
Mr Meade noted that these new trains will help increase capacity, as they “physically have more space within them”.
“We’ll be reallocating some of the inter-city trains currently used for commuter routes, creating more capacity on the existing service pattern,” he added.
“These trains will allow us to enhance capacity as we upgrade infrastructure.”
Each train will accommodate 550 passengers and feature dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, families and bicycles. Powered by lithium batteries, the trains can travel up to 80km before requiring a recharge.
The new design also includes an extending step to aid passengers with limited mobility, allowing them to board independently.
The interior layout is open and continuous, with no doors between carriages, improving accessibility.
Designed specifically for commuters, these trains will provide more seating and standing room, addressing the rising demand for public transport in Dublin.
Before entering service in January 2026, the new trains will undergo a year of rigorous testing and certification to meet European safety standards.
