A new era for rail travel in Northern Ireland

Rail travel in Northern Ireland is a major success story with over 60% customer growth since 2002 exceeding government targets. Two years ago, Translink NI Railways celebrated delivering 10 million passenger journeys in a year – the highest on record in the company’s history and we are on schedule to carry even more passengers in 2011.

This significant growth in passenger numbers reflects an ongoing programme of change and enhancement to the local rail network, continued high performance levels, clever marketing campaigns and shows that government investment is paying off.

New trains investment

In 2005, Translink NI Railways took delivery of 23 new Class 3000 trains from Spanish rail manufacturer CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), stimulating passenger growth and enhancing customer satisfaction.

In March 2011, we received the first of a further 20 brand new Translink NI Railways trains heralding the next major milestone in the modernisation and renaissance of rail travel in Northern Ireland.

They will build on recent success and contribute, in a sustainable fashion, to the social, environmental and economic development of the North.

As our second new fleet in recent years, the Class 4000 trains represent an investment of £114 million, funded by Northern Ireland’s Department for Regional Development.

This next generation of trains will replace remaining older trains and, once in service, we will operate an entirely modern fleet to cater for growing demand on local rail services.

The new Class 4000 fleet is being manufactured to the very latest industry standards, meeting the highest levels of performance, comfort, safety and accessibility.

We are once again working with CAF to deliver these new trains and, while they have some similar facilities to our current C3K trains, many features have been improved following valuable feedback from our customers and learning from experience with the C3K fleet.

Other Class 4000 train features include: 212 seats including 33 tip-up seats, 24 priority seats, 14 tabled bays, wheelchair access and dedicated space for two wheelchairs and companion seats; audible and visual passenger information systems; signage in Braille and embossed lettering; space for eight bicycles; one fully accessible toilet; adjustable armrests; automatic opening doors at 1/3 and 2/3 intervals; air conditioning; baby changing facilities; digital CCTV; overhead luggage racks; external front and side destination displays; fire detection and control system; the latest environmental and passenger safety features; and litter bins.

Safety

Safety is always a top priority and following delivery, each train will be subjected to a rigorous phase of testing before entering public service towards the end of 2011.

This process will take around six months and comprises:

• Static testing including safety system checks
• On-track testing involving trains crews and technical staff testing trains at speeds up to 90mph to assess train’s technical performance and passenger facilities
• Fault-free running in which each train must complete 2,000 miles without a problem before we will accept the unit. This phase also monitors safety, performance and comfort levels.

A comprehensive employee training programme will take place from April to December for train driver and conductors and our train simulator has been upgraded to facilitate the new Class 4000 specifications.

A new public safety campaign has been launched to coincide with on-track testing to appeal to the wider community to stay extra vigilant and always follow directions given at crossings. The new Class 4000 trains are very quiet, similar to the C3K train, and will be operating continuously day and night across the network.

New trains projects

A series of platform extensions are currently taking place at 19 stations and halts across our rail network to accommodate longer trains and enhance onboard capacity where there is passenger demand.

We also plan to construct a new train maintenance facility in Belfast. Existing premises are operating at or near to full capacity and the new depot will include: engineering facilities, train accommodation, fuelling and stabling facilities, a train wash and storage area.

With soaring fuel costs and expensive carparking, value-for-money is more important than ever for our customers. We will continue to look at attractive, convenient, innovative and cost-effective ways to get more people using local rail services and will implement specific marketing activities for the new trains when they are ready to enter passenger service.

The first new train will be deployed on our local Larne Railway Line and it is expected that all trains will be delivered and into passenger service during 2012.

Rail infrastructure investment

To optimise rail passenger growth, we have combined this rolling stock investment with an ongoing network upgrade programme.

A major part of this programme was our recent £12.5 million track-life extension project on the Londonderry Railway Line that began in 2008 and concluded on time and on budget at the end of June 2009.

Financed by the NI government’s Department for Regional Development and the European Union through the ‘Trans European Transport Network’, the track-life extension work required the excavation and relay of 6,500m of track from Ballymoney Railway Station through to a point five miles south of Ballymoney as well as the provision of continuously welded rail from Broughdone Level Crossing to our train station in Coleraine.

It required more than 1,250 tonnes of new rail along with 36,000 tonnes of ballast, 5,000m of new drains and 5,000 welds to remove old joints. The project also involved bridge maintenance and replacement work, adjustment of track alignments and levels and rail ‘stressing’ to prevent buckling under severe hot or cold temperatures.

Around 140 personnel worked on the project at peak activity times and we used local contractors and suppliers as far as possible. The project manager was Turner and Townsend and main contractor was Mallusk-based company McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd. Local sub-contractors included A McKee & Co, Northern Excavators, Rail Plant Services and Northstone Quarries provided ballast.

More recently, we appointed a local Magherafelt-based construction company FP McCann and Dutch rail contractor BAM to complete a £1.3 million engineering project to upgrade the Coleraine to Portrush railway line, including re-railing six miles of track with a full line closure for 16 days.

The impact of the introduction of new trains in 2005 and improved infrastructure along the Londonderry Railway Line has already resulted in an increase of over 40% passenger growth on this branch line since 2002.

This project required an estimated 1,150 tonnes of new rail, the installation of new trackside drainage, work at level and userworked crossings as well as the repair of track ‘wet spots’.

The 16-day line closure was also essential to ensure that work was completed as quickly as possible and to reduce the amount of night work required. Local residents and passengers were kept fully informed on project requirements as well as temporary bus substitution travel arrangements.

Now complete, this work ensures the railway line is maintained at a high standard, contributing to the economic and social regeneration of the area. Passenger benefits include: more comfortable journeys; maintaining high safety standards and line reliability; reducing disruption caused by ongoing essential engineering works and maintaining the 70mph line speed.

Through this significant investment in both rolling stock and local rail infrastructure, we look forward to replicating our success in the last decade and developing a modern and dynamic public transport network that will help secure a long-term sustainable future for Northern Ireland.

About the Author

Mal McGreevy is responsible for all aspects of Translink railway operations and for all new vehicle procurements. He has been a member of the Senior Executive Team of Translink since its formation in 1996 and has contributed to the strategy and direction of Translink also influencing the strategy of Translink’s sponsoring government department – the Department of Regional Development.