IE 29000 Class

The 29000 Class is a type of four-car Diesel Multiple Unit operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail). The units were built in Spain by CAF in two batches between 2002 and 2005.

Iarnród Éireann 29000 Class
29409 departing from platform 4 at Dublin Connolly in July 2016
In service30 June 2003 – present
ManufacturerCAF
Family nameCxK
Constructed2002 – 2005
Number built29 trainsets
Formation4 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers29001–29029
Capacity185 seated
634 standing
Operator(s)Commuter
Depot(s)Drogheda Depot
Line(s) servedConnolly – Gorey
Dundalk (Newry) – Connolly
Connolly – Longford
Specifications
Train length81.46 m (267.3 ft)
Width2.9 m (9.5 ft)
Height3.985 m (13.07 ft)
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Weight43,520 kg (43.52 t)
Prime mover(s)MAN D 2876 LUH01, 400 hp
Braking system(s)Air, 2 brake discs per axle
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
see Rail gauge in Ireland

Description
The Drivers Cabin of a 29000 Class unit

Each set comprises two driving end cars (DM1 and DM2) and two intermediate cars (MDT and MT) They are capable of operation as two sets of their own class or in formations of up to 10 cars with either 2600 Class or 2800 Class DMUs. Each car is fitted with a 294 kW MAN traction engine and a Cummins generator engine, both mounted underfloor. Each 4-car set is 81.46 m (267 ft 3 in) long, 3.985 m (13 ft 0.9 in) high and 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) wide. They have a maximum permitted speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). Passenger capacity is 185 seated and 634 standing.

The original delivery of twenty sets were numbered 2901-2980. However, to avoid conflict with the existing numbering system of the NIR 3000 Class, all cars were renumbered e.g. set 2901-04 becoming 29101-401. The 2005 batch of nine sets are numbered 29021-29029.

The railcars were the first to be shipped with the new Commuter branding rather than the "Arrow" branding previously used, and as such were the first Iarnród Éireann rolling stock (other than DART EMUs and Enterprise stock) not to feature the company's traditional orange and black livery, which was phased out from passenger service in 2006. The Commuter brand was also extended to Classes 2600, 2700 and 2800 railcars. It has since been replaced by the InterCity livery on these DMUs.

In 2014, a new all-over two-tone green livery was introduced for the class. This has not yet been applied to all vehicles.

Deployment
29420 on a Western Commuter service
29129 departing Drumcondra in February 2008

They work most Northern Commuter and Western Commuter services. They have proven to be a very reliable unit despite operating a variety of demanding services including Sligo. They were largely returned to their intended Commuter service since deliveries of 22000 Class DMUs commenced in 2007, which displaced them from Sligo line workings in 2008, though there are still services to and from Rosslare Harbour with the 29000 Class DMUs. However, they remained in their "Commuter" livery when working this long-distance line.

The November 2009 timetable change finally saw the end of the 29000s running West of Dublin from Heuston Station to Newbridge/Kildare and Carlow. The services have been covered by 22000 Class DMUs since 2009.

Fleet details
Class Operator Number Year Built Cars per Set Unit nos. Notes
29000 Class Commuter 20 2002–2003 4 29001 – 29020
9 2005 29021 – 29029 29022 fitted with in-cab signalling

Routes

Current services

InterCity
  • Dublin to Belfast (occasionally - sometimes a substitute for an Enterprise breakdown)

Commuter
  • Dublin to Maynooth / Longford
  • Dublin to Drogheda
  • Dublin to M3 Parkway
  • Dublin to Newry (One train per day) / Dundalk ‘’’
  • Dublin to Gorey / Wexford
  • Maynooth / M3 Parkway / Drogheda to Bray

Former services

InterCity
  • Dublin to Sligo
  • Dublin to Rosslare Europort

Commuter
  • Dublin to Newbridge/Kildare

A 29000 Class Unit features in the intro to RTÉ’s Fair City.

Accidents and incidents
  • On Monday 16 November 2009, unit 29026 was derailed near Wicklow when it collided with a landslip obstructing the line.[1]
  • On Tuesday 7 June 2016, one unidentified unit caught fire whilst operating the 09:40 Drogheda to Dublin Pearse service. Since then, concerns have been raised about the safety of the units.[2]

See also
  • Multiple Units of Ireland
  • NIR 3000 Class

References
  1. "Investigation Report 2010-R006" (PDF). Dublin: Rail Accident Investigation Unit. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  2. http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/commuters-evacuated-from-train-after-engine-catches-fire-738809.html
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