NEW TRAINS TESTING CONTINUES

Translink has announced that new trains testing continues to progress on schedule. Three walkthrough trains are already in service with the remaining 4 due to enter passenger service by end of this Summer, bringing an additional 1,600 seats to the train network.

Translink is continuing to appeal to the public to stay alert and stay safe near the railway as the programme of testing and commissioning continues over the coming months.

A total of 21 new carriages are being combined with 7 refurbished Class 4000 trains as part of the £64million project which is funded by the Department of Infrastructure.

Translink’s Director of Service Operations Ian Campbell said

“Safety is our top priority at all times. Before the trains enter passenger service, they undergo an intensive period of testing and commissioning which involves day and night-time testing across the network and at speeds of up to 90mph. This assesses each train’s safety, performance and comfort levels.

“Systems including traction performance, braking performance, safety systems, passenger information and heating and air conditioning are among the functions being checked. Each train must operate 1,000 miles fault free before entering passenger service.

“This latest safety campaign is designed to generate awareness and remind everyone within the wider community to be extra vigilant around the railway.

“As we see the start of brighter evenings, we would also appeal to parents and carers to know where your children and young people are and deter loitering or ‘messing’ around train stations or using train tracks as shortcuts”.

Ian concluded: “The lengthened trains will be more energy efficient helping to reduce our carbon footprint as we aim to tackle the climate emergency and air pollution levels.   

“When all the new carriages are in operation, it will mean around 1600 more seats are available on our train network, further enhancing public transport as more people look to travel more sustainably for Northern Ireland’s healthier and greener recovery, post Covid-19”.