Premiere: Eight Stadler trains for Ireland
posted on 8th May 2026 13:06
Ireland’s railway company Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) and Translink NI Railways (NIR) have ordered eight FLIRT Intercity trains from Stadler, including maintenance services. Commencing 2030, the trains will operate services connecting the capitals Dublin and Belfast. The new trains will reduce journey times, increase service frequency on this iconic route and enhance passenger comfort.
The approximately 180km Enterprise railway line connects the Irish capital Dublin with the Northern Irish capital Belfast. The vehicles currently in use will reach the end of their service life in the next few years, resulting in IÉ and NIR commissioning Stadler to build new trains, which are expected to enter service from 2030.
The contract also includes a maintenance for 15 years by Stadler. The scope of services includes technical support, the supply of spare parts, engineering services, technical supervision of maintenance, and staff training.
One extra service per day in each direction
The new trains will reduce the journey time between the two capitals to less than two hours. Which will both increase competitiveness and enable IÉ and NIR to introduce an additional train per day in each direction. With the new trains, there will then be 16 trains running in both directions every day, enabling the two operators to meet the growing demand.
Passengers will enjoy greater comfort thanks to spacious seating areas, Wi-Fi on board, improved catering and a bright, open and modern design. The 200-metre-long units have 407 seats. They are also completely barrier-free, with step-free access at all exterior passenger doors, reserved seats for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair-accessible toilets.
The new FLIRTs are equipped with a diesel-electric and battery driven technology enabling both flexible and efficient seamless operation across different power and grid systems. In non-electrified Northern Ireland, the trains run in the Belfast area using the battery. The diesel engine then takes the vehicles across the border into the Republic of Ireland to the city of Drogheda. From there, the trains are powered by overhead lines and continue to Dublin using electric drive. The switch between the different drive types is completely seamless and unnoticeable to passengers.
The new trains are also designed to transition to dual electric and battery operation between the two countries. The vehicles will then run from Dublin to Drogheda using a 1,500 V DC system and from Drogheda to Belfast using a 25 kV 50 Hz system. If necessary, the battery can still be used to bridge any non-electrified sections of the line. The FLIRTs are thus paving the way for the two countries' agreed net-zero strategy for the Dublin–Belfast line.
Daniel Baer, Executive Vice President Service of Stadler said: “With this order, Stadler trains will be operating on the island of Ireland for the first time. The Enterprise connection is a symbol of the close cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We are proud to contribute to the modernisation and increased reliability of rail transport on this iconic route with our FLIRT trains and comprehensive service packages.”
Project supported by EU funding
This major 548 million GBP (698 million EUR) cross border investment for new fleet and associated infrastructure is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, Department for Infrastructure and the Government of Ireland, Department of Transport, and supported with 165 million EUR through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
With the conclusion of the 15-year maintenance contract, Stadler is further strengthening its activities across the UK and Ireland. The Irish Enterprise project builds on Stadler’s established contracts across England, Wales and Scotland. The new trains will join the existing fleet of 275 trains supported by 432 employees in the UK.
