The Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail 22000 Class InterCity Railcar (ICR) is the new generation of InterCity train services built by Hyundai Rotem operating at speeds of up to 160km/h, replacing locomotive-hauled services on all InterCity routes since 2008 except for Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast.
Sounds familiar?
Heading into Connolly Railway Station after getting off the Luas Red Line.
My 24 hour Leap Visitor Card allows me unlimited rides on Airlink, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland routes in Dublin, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail. As such, I used it to enter the platform to go check out the Irish Rail 22000 Class InterCity Railcar.
I was preparing to wait for about half an hour to catch one set, but lo and behold, one was already at the platform awaiting departure to Sligo.
Iarnród Éireann’s logo on the side of the train cars.
The InterCity IE 22000 Class parked beside a Commuter 29000 Class. Notice the lack of electrification at the platform? The key difference between IE’s 22000 Class and KTM’s 91 Class is that IE’s 22000 Class is a DMU while KTM’s 91 Class is an EMU. Ireland’s railways are not electrified except for Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) routes.
Another 4-car IE 22000 Class parked at Platform 1.
Waiting for the doors to open.
The interior of the IE 22000 Class. I guess the exterior is where the similarities with KTM’s 91 Class end. As with most European trains, seats in Standard Class are in a non-reclinable 2+2 configuration in mixed facing directions.
Luggage racks are available near the doors.
The familiar Hyundai Rotem manufacturing plate.
LED signs show the train’s status and toilet availability.
The open gangways of IE’s 22000 Class, which actually looks similar to KTM’s 93 Class instead.
The view of the opened and closed coach doors.
Seems like the same mechanism is shared here and in Malaysia.
Something that’s definitely not found on KTM’s 91 Class is the DMU’s exhaust.
To open and close doors, push the side button.
The view of the coach from the table seat.
The legroom on board the IE 22000 Class.
Seats in Standard Class cannot be reclined.
A fold-out table is provided at each airline-style seat.
Table seats are also available.
However, tables are fixed and do not allow for more chest space.
Power sockets are available below each window seat.
The toilet on board IE’s 22000 Class.
The view out of the train with the Enterprise to Belfast beside.
I had wanted to take this train to connect to the Luas Green Line at Broombridge, but misread the timetable and the next stop after Drumcondra was Maynooth, about 40 minutes away. If I had alighted at Drumcondra, I didn’t know what time the next Commuter or DART was to Broombridge or back to Connolly.
As I didn’t have that much time to spare to wait for trains and risk missing my flight, I gave riding on the IE 22000 Class a miss. Maybe next time.
Another 4-car IE Class 22000 set pulling into Connolly.
The IE 22000 Class trains beside each other at Connolly, for Sligo and Drogheda respectively.
The IE 22000 Class for Sligo departing without me.
Here’s a video of the train’s departure.
Bye IE 22000 Class, see you next time.
The other IE 22000 Class for Drogheda.
The buffer stops of Platforms 3 and 4.
Heading out of the station platforms.
The Leap Visitor Card is a miracle transport card.
The departure board for DART, Commuter and InterCity services.
Overall, a good experience on board the Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail 22000 Class InterCity Railcar (ICR) despite not getting a ride on it, though I didn’t intend to anyway with the short time I had in Dublin. On to a bit more touristy stuff before I head back.