| Ianród Éireann 29000 Class | |
|---|---|
29029 leaves Drumcondra |
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| In service | 2002 - Present |
| Manufacturer | CAF |
| Family name | CxK |
| Number built | 29 trainsets |
| Formation | 4 cars per trainset |
| Operator | Commuter |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 120 km/h (75 mph)(Restricted to 70 mph) |
| Engine(s) | MAN, 400 hp |
| Gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Irish gauge see Rail gauge in Ireland |
The 29000 Class is a type of four-car Diesel Multiple Unit operated by Iarnród Éireann. The units were built in Spain by CAF in two batches between 2002 and 2005.
Contents |
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 consists of up to 10 cars with either 2600, 2700 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 long, 3.985 m high and 2.9 m wide. They have a maximum permitted speed of 120 km/h (75mph)
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 29121-429.
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 is now being phased out from passenger service. The Commuter brand has now also been extended to Class 2600, 2700 and 2800 railcars.
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. They are due to be returned to their intended commuter services when deliveries of 22000 Class DMUs displace them from Sligo line workings in 2008, and as such remain in their "Commuter" livery even when working this line.
During the November 2009 timetable change saw the end of the 2900's running West of Dublin from Heuston Station to Newbridge/Kildare and Carlow. The services are now covered by newly built 22000 DMU's.
| Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29000 Class | Commuter | 20 | 2002-2003 | 4 | 29001 - 29020 |
| 9 | 2005 | 29021 - 29029 |
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