IE 2700 Class
Encyclopedia
The 2700 and 2750 Classes are two related types of diesel multiple unit
operated by Iarnród Éireann
. The 2700 Class units are 2-car sets; 25 cars were built by GEC Alsthom
in 1997 and 1998, and began entering service in December 1998. Each car weighs 38.5 tons and is fitted with a 350hp underfloor Cummins
engine with a maximum service speed of 110 km/h (70 mph).
At present the entire class is based in Limerick
, with one set outbased in Ballina
to operate the Ballina
- Manulla Junction
shuttle, while it also operates an Athlone- Galway
service on Fridays. A further set operates morning and evening Athenry
- Galway
commuter services during its layover from Limerick
- Galway
services. Otherwise the class operates all services from Limerick (save direct Limerick
-Heuston Station trains) and services from Limerick Junction
to Waterford
.
From July 2004 to April 2005 they were used in six-piece sets on the Dublin-Rosslare
intercity services, before being replaced by newer units. They are capable of operation in consists of up to 10 cars, either within their own class or with 2600
, 2800
, or 2900
class DMUs. In addition to the 2-car units, two single car units were constructed. These units are classed as 2750 Class, and have a cab at each end so that they can operate either singly or as part of a set.
Even numbered cars have 62 seats while odd numbered cars contain 55 seats and a toilet. There are some exceptions however; the two 2750 Class units have 53 seats each, due to having cabs at both ends, while 2719 and 2721 have 50 seats each and include a bicycle storage area. The original black and orange Arrow livery was replaced by the newly introduced Commuter livery in 2004, upon the start of the sectorisation of Iarnród Éireann's operations.
In 2010, Iarnród Éireann began major overhauls of the 2700 and 2750 Classes, the most prominent feature of which was the removal of the end gangways, which had been unused for some time. This coincided with the addition of a new livery based on the 22000 Class
colour scheme.
2716 suffered collision damage on June 3rd, 2000. Following repairs, it was coupled with 2609. part of the Mitsui
2600 class.
The 2700 and 2750 Classes bear a visible similarity to the British Rail Class 158
DMU but the two classes are completely unrelated having been built ten years apart and by different manufacturers.
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
operated by Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
. The 2700 Class units are 2-car sets; 25 cars were built by GEC Alsthom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
in 1997 and 1998, and began entering service in December 1998. Each car weighs 38.5 tons and is fitted with a 350hp underfloor Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
engine with a maximum service speed of 110 km/h (70 mph).
At present the entire class is based in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, with one set outbased in Ballina
Ballina, County Mayo
Ballina is a large town in north County Mayo in Ireland. It lies at the mouth of the River Moy near Killala Bay, in the Moy valley and Parish of Kilmoremoy, with the Ox Mountain range to the east and the Nephin Beg mountains to the west...
to operate the Ballina
Ballina railway station
Ballina railway station serves the town of Ballina in County Mayo, Ireland. It is a single platform station with runround loop. There is also a freight yard there.The station opened on 19 May 1873....
- Manulla Junction
Manulla Junction
Manulla Junction railway station is a transfer point for passengers on train services in County Mayo, Ireland. Members of the public cannot actually enter or leave the station; it is used only for passengers travelling to or from Foxford or Ballina, who transfer to or from the Dublin-Westport...
shuttle, while it also operates an Athlone- Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
service on Fridays. A further set operates morning and evening Athenry
Athenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
- Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
commuter services during its layover from Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
- Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
services. Otherwise the class operates all services from Limerick (save direct Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
-Heuston Station trains) and services from Limerick Junction
Limerick Junction
Limerick Junction is an important railway station in South Tipperary, Ireland which was originally named "Tipperary Junction". Tipperary town is about two miles away to the south-east. Limerick Junction, with a cluster of pleasantly presented railway cottages and a pub, is a small hamlet...
to Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
.
Dublin-Rosslare railway line
The Dublin-Rosslare railway line is a main rail route between Dublin Connolly station and Rosslare Europort, where it theoretically connects with ferry services to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. The line between Dublin and Greystones is electrified and forms the southern part of the DART...
intercity services, before being replaced by newer units. They are capable of operation in consists of up to 10 cars, either within their own class or with 2600
IE 2600 Class
The 2600 Class is a type of Diesel Multiple Unit operated on the Irish railway network by Iarnród Éireann, used mainly for short-haul Commuter services. At present the entire class is based in Cork, and is used on local services to Mallow, Midleton, Cobh and on token services to Tralee...
, 2800
IE 2800 Class
The 2800 Class is a type of Diesel Multiple Unit operated on the Irish railway network by Iarnród Éireann, used mainly for short-haul Commuter services.-Description:...
, or 2900
IE 2900 Class
The 29000 Class is a type of four-car Diesel Multiple Unit operated by Iarnród Éireann. The units were built in Spain by CAF in two batches between 2002 and 2005.-Description:...
class DMUs. In addition to the 2-car units, two single car units were constructed. These units are classed as 2750 Class, and have a cab at each end so that they can operate either singly or as part of a set.
Even numbered cars have 62 seats while odd numbered cars contain 55 seats and a toilet. There are some exceptions however; the two 2750 Class units have 53 seats each, due to having cabs at both ends, while 2719 and 2721 have 50 seats each and include a bicycle storage area. The original black and orange Arrow livery was replaced by the newly introduced Commuter livery in 2004, upon the start of the sectorisation of Iarnród Éireann's operations.
In 2010, Iarnród Éireann began major overhauls of the 2700 and 2750 Classes, the most prominent feature of which was the removal of the end gangways, which had been unused for some time. This coincided with the addition of a new livery based on the 22000 Class
IE 22000 Class
The 22000 Class "InterCity Railcar" is a Diesel multiple unit type in service with Iarnród Éireann in Ireland.In a new departure for Iarnród Éireann they will be the first railcars to have been built specifically to serve on InterCity routes and are capable of up to 100 mph .-History:In 2005,...
colour scheme.
2716 suffered collision damage on June 3rd, 2000. Following repairs, it was coupled with 2609. part of the Mitsui
Tokyu Car Corporation
is a manufacturer of heavy rail cars in Japan. The company is based in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Japan, and a member of Tokyu Group. Tokyu Car manufactures rail vehicles not only for Tokyu Corporation but for other Japanese operators, including various Japan Railways Group companies and...
2600 class.
The 2700 and 2750 Classes bear a visible similarity to the British Rail Class 158
British Rail Class 158
British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by BREL at its Derby Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs...
DMU but the two classes are completely unrelated having been built ten years apart and by different manufacturers.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2700 Class | Commuter | 12 | 1997-1998 | 2 | 2701/02 - 2724/26 | 2716 operates as a hybrid 2-car unit with 2609 IE 2600 Class The 2600 Class is a type of Diesel Multiple Unit operated on the Irish railway network by Iarnród Éireann, used mainly for short-haul Commuter services. At present the entire class is based in Cork, and is used on local services to Mallow, Midleton, Cobh and on token services to Tralee... |
| 2750 Class | 2 | 1 | 2751, 2753 |