NIR Class 3000

Northern Ireland Railways
Class 3000 "C3K"

3005 stands at Belfast Central
Manufacturer CAF
Family name CxK
Entered service 2004–2005
Number built 23 sets
Formation 3-car sets
Fleet numbers 3001–3023
Capacity 201 seated, 280 standing passengers
Operator(s) NI Railways
Specifications
Maximum speed 90 mph (145 km/h)
Prime mover(s) MAN D2876 LUH03
Safety system(s) AWS, TPWS, CAWS (3001-3006)
Track gauge 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)

The Class 3000 (C3K class) is a class of diesel multiple unit in service with NI Railways.

History

At the beginning of the 21st century, the majority of rail services in Northern Ireland continued to be operated using Class 80 DEMUs, which had been in service since the mid-1970s, and were becoming increasingly harder to maintain. NIR had not procured new rolling stock since 1994, when, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, it purchased locomotives and coaches for the Enterprise service.

As part of a major investment programme in the railways in Northern Ireland, NIR placed an order totalling £80 million, the largest single investment in rolling stock ever made by NIR, with CAF for twenty-three 3-car DMUs in 2002.[1]

The new trains entered service in 2005 and 2006, gradually replacing most of the existing Class 80 units on the network (the main exception being services between Belfast and Larne, which were still provided by the Class 450 DMUs). The trains are capable of speeds of up to 145 km/h (90 mph), seat 201 (including 15 on tip-up seats) and have standing room for 280 passengers crush laden.[2] The sets are numbered 3001-3023. All vehicles are powered. The individual cars are 3301 to 3323, 3501 to 3523 and 3401 to 3423. The end vehicles on each unit have cabs. 3001 is formed 3301-3501-3401 up to 3023 being formed 3323-3523-3423.

The first six units (3001-3006) were built fitted with CAWS and communication equipment compatible with the rail network in the Republic of Ireland. This enables these units to be used as required on cross-border services.

Accidents and incidents

Refurbishment

Phase 1 of the refurbishment programme was begun during the financial year 2009/10 and will cost an estimated £1.2 million. The trains are approximately 5–6 years old. By the time this is completed, the 20 new Class 4000 units should be starting to come into service. The refurbishment involves re-livering the trains in the refreshed corporate branding.

Fleet details

Class Operator No. Built Year Built Cars per Set Unit nos. Notes
Class 3000 NI Railways 6 2004 3 3001 - 3006 Fitted with CAWS for use on
17 3007 - 3023

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to NIR Class 3000.
  1. New trains to boost rail network BBC News
  2. CAF
  3. "Collision at Knockmore Junction". Rail Accident Investigation Branch. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
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