The Republic of Ireland comprises relatively low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain. Several navigable rivers extending inland were the mainstay of its transport industry during the early Industrial Revolution. Then steam railways arrived to take advantage of the gentle terrain. Now, Irish battery trains are set to take over from thundering diesels that replaced steam during the 1950’s.
A Call For a New Transport Network of Irish Battery Trains
The Republic of Ireland has a population of 4.8 million people in an area a little larger than West Virginia. Its current railway fleet comprises 629 carriages, of which approximately a quarter are electric serving Dublin.
The national carrier Iarnród Éireann is calling for proposals for 600 new train carriages. All will run on electricity, while half will be hybrid electric vehicles. Although these Irish battery trains will not be unique, they do represent a remarkable transformation considering the depth of the intervention. In fact, the extent of the order will be without precedent anywhere in the world.
How the Hybrid Battery Power Will Work Outside Dublin
Approximately 150 Dublin electric carriages take their energy from overhead cables on the DART commuter system. A €2 billion government investment will extend this to Drogheda 30 miles inland and double the fleet.
Overhead cables are few and far between in the rest of the country. When a hybrid battery train encounters one it will quickly recharge its batteries. The scheme envisages having sufficient stretches of these to keep the batteries powered between stations. There will be charging points at stations. while regenerative charging will also help energize the system.
A little cabling can go a long way, says Feargus O’Sullivan writing in City Lab. It sure does, in fact we’ll raise a pint of Guinness to the occasion. Sláinte mhaith, meaning good health in Irish.
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Preview Image: Class 8100 DART Train at Sutton Railway Station
