Iarnród Éireann has today issued tender documents to engage a Design & Build Contractor to help bring DART services to Wicklow town.
The contract partner will design and build the charging infrastructure for the new Battery Electric DART+ Fleet at Wicklow Station.
The charging infrastructure forms part of the Wicklow Rail Capacity Enhancement Project, funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority, which Iarnród Éireann say will improve rail connectivity between Dublin City Centre and Wicklow Town and deliver:
One DART service per hour per direction between Dublin and Wicklow
New, accessible DART carriages serving Wicklow Town
Battery operated DARTs to increase services and capacity
In a statement, Iarnród Éireann said:
“To support the operation of the battery-electric (BEMU) DARTs, infrastructure is required to charge the DART batteries on arrival at Wicklow Station.
“The BEMUs will utilise the existing overhead line equipment from Dublin to Greystones.
“The pantograph (connecting arm on DART) will then be lowered, and the DARTs will run on battery power between Greystones and Wicklow, where they can be fully charged before their return journey.
“This next phase of expansion of the BEMU infrastructure to Wicklow Station follows the successful development of the charging infrastructure at Drogheda Station on the Northern Line. Infrastructure at Drogheda is currently being tested alongside the new fleet to be ready for use once the first DART+ units enter service from 2027 onwards.
“The Design & Build contract for the charging infrastructure at Wicklow will consist of:
Installation of a new substation to provide for fast charging
Installation of overhead charge system (OHLE) on platforms 1 and 2 at Wicklow Station
Systems and engineering works to support the infrastructure
Subject to planning and funding approvals, construction is expected to commence in 2027 and BEMU services to begin operating from 2029.”