IÉ 90000 Class
| Company type | Electric multiple unit train class |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway transport |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Founder | Iarnród Éireann |
| Headquarters | Dublin , Ireland |
| Products | Electric multiple unit trains (EMU), Battery electric multiple units (BEMU) |
| Parent | Iarnród Éireann |
The Iarnród Éireann 90000 Class represents a series of electric multiple unit (EMU) trains intended for operation on Dublin's DART system. In December 2021, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to Alstom for the delivery of up to 750 carriages arranged in either five- or ten-car formations. The initial procurement included 19 five-car sets, among which 13 were battery electric multiple units (BEMUs). An additional order placed in December 2022 expanded the fleet with 18 more five-car BEMUs.
Background
By the year 2017, Iarnród Éireann was engaged in discussions with the NTA concerning the acquisition of new bi-mode DART trains intended to replace the aging fleet. Although plans to introduce new DART units were first publicized in 2008, these were halted due to the economic impact of the Great Recession. A formal tender for 600 new DART carriages was launched in March 2019, drawing proposals from manufacturers including Bombardier Transportation (now operating as Alstom), Siemens Mobility, and Stadler Rail.
This initiative forms part of the broader DART+ programme, which seeks to extend service coverage onto routes currently operated by diesel multiple units such as the 29000 class and 22000 class. The BEMUs are designed to run on non-electrified sections reaching Maynooth, Hazelhatch, and Drogheda. Production of these units is underway at Alstom’s facility in Katowice, Poland. The inaugural trainset arrived in Ireland towards the end of 2024, with commercial service anticipated to commence in 2026.
Design
Each five-car articulated train measures , aligning with the length of existing four-car 8500 Class sets, and offers seating for 204 passengers within a total capacity of 551. These trains can reach speeds up to . Accessibility improvements include lowered floors for level boarding and sliding ramps installed at every door.
The BEMUs are powered by lithium-ion batteries with an energy capacity of 840kWh, enabling an operational range near even when batteries approach end-of-life conditions. Unlike conventional electric trains that draw power from overhead wires, these units rely on dedicated charging infrastructure, with the first charging station established at Drogheda.
As of 2024, no ten-car configurations have been commissioned; however, such formations are expected to consist of two coupled five-car units that can be separated for maintenance purposes. The five-car sets will carry the designation 90000 Class, whereas ten-car formations will be identified as the 97000 Class.