According to the tender, the trains must be designed to transition to a net zero carbon operation in the future.
The tender covers the establishment of an eight-year, single party framework agreement for the procurement of new enterprise vehicles, which will replace the existing enterprise fleet. Along with procurement of the rolling stock, the tender also includes a maintenance contract covering technical support services and spare parts supply for the new trains.
The new train sets will operate an hourly service between Dublin and Belfast. It is planned to have the entire new fleet in service between 2028 and 2029, and to deliver the end-to-end journey sub two hours or better on the existing infrastructure.
According to the tender, initial traction power will be internal combustion engine (ICE) battery electric, using the existing 1.5 kV DC OHLE, with the train designed to transition to a net zero carbon operation during its life through the removal of the diesel power generation for replacement with dual OHLE power supply equipment.
The trains will operate on a 1,600mm track gauge, will operate in full length formation of a maximum of 200m in length and will be required to meet other gauging requirements of the Irish Rail – NI Railways network.
The deadline for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is November 6, 2023. More information can be found here.