Stadler Wins Dublin-Belfast Enterprise Train Contract
Iarnród Éireann and Translink select Stadler to supply eight new trainsets following the lifting of a legal injunction.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Iarnród Éireann and Translink have selected Stadler to produce eight new trainsets for the Dublin-Belfast Enterprise service. The deal follows a November 26 ruling by the High Court in Dublin that lifted an injunction previously filed by competitor CAF.
Why it matters
The new trains will replace aging locomotive-hauled rolling stock to improve overall accessibility and secure vital European Union funding. This procurement marks a significant modernization effort for the cross-border rail link between Dublin and Belfast.
Each trainset features eight motors powering four bogies, eight toilets, and six reservable bike spaces. The fleet will operate on 1.5 kV DC electrification and diesel power, monitored by 22 external CCTV cameras.
The players
Stadler
A Swiss-based railway vehicle manufacturer known for producing a wide range of electric and diesel multiple units.
Iarnród Éireann
The national railway operator of Ireland responsible for the operation of the Dublin-Belfast Enterprise service.
Translink
The public transport operator in Northern Ireland that manages bus and rail services including the Enterprise line.
CAF
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles is a Spanish manufacturer of railway vehicles that challenged the tender process.
The details
The contract includes a 15-year service and support maintenance agreement, which may be extended for another 15 years. The trains are designed with onboard traction batteries and the capability for diesel engines to be replaced with pantographs if the Northern Irish network upgrades to 25 kV electrification.
Timeline
Stadler was informed of its preferred bidder status in mid-September.
The High Court in Dublin lifted the CAF injunction on November 26.
The first trainsets are expected to be delivered for testing in 2028.
The new trains are scheduled to enter service in 2030.
Roadmap
This transition to modern trainsets aligns the Dublin-Belfast line with European Union rail accessibility standards, reflecting a continent-wide shift toward standardized, inclusive transit. It marks a departure from legacy locomotive-hauled stock toward integrated, multi-power rail technologies.
Passengers can expect improved accessibility and more reliable service once the new fleet enters operations in 2030. The inclusion of dedicated bike spaces and modernized facilities will directly enhance the travel experience for daily commuters and long-distance travelers.
The takeaway
The deployment of these versatile trainsets represents a long-term investment in sustainable and accessible regional rail travel. Passengers should note that while the equipment is modern, the transition remains years away with testing slated for 2028.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Railway Gazette International.
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