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. They sometimes operate Cork to Dublin services in case an InterCity unit is not available. 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. A hybrid unit was based in Limerick until it was withdrawn in 2012 and is now stored in Cork.

2601 at Dublin Heuston in June 1995
2607 at Cobh in June 2011

Iarnród Éireann 2600 Class
2601 at Fota in August 2013
In service16 May 1994 – present
ManufacturerTokyu Car Corporation
Family nameTokyu Commuter
ReplacedSeparate locomotives and carriages
Constructed1993
Number built17 railcars
Number in service16 railcars (8 2-car sets)
Formation2 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers2601 – 2617
Capacity130 seated
Operator(s)Commuter
Depot(s)Cork
Line(s) servedCork Commuter routes
Specifications
Maximum speed123 km/h (76 mph)
Weight42 t (41 long tons; 46 short tons)
Prime mover(s)One Cummins NTA-855-R1 of 260 kW (349 hp) per car
TransmissionHydraulic
Braking system(s)Air, 2 brake discs per axle
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
See Rail gauge in Ireland

Description

The 2600 Class were the first modern set of diesel railcars purchased by Iarnród Éireann, who for several years had only run multiple units on the electrified DART service. A total of seventeen individual railcars were constructed by the Tokyu Car Corporation in Japan and delivered between 1993 and 1994 for use on the commuter service between Dublin and Kildare. The stock were the first rolling stock to be delivered in Arrow livery, initially used to refer solely to the Dublin-Kildare commuter service upon which they were deployed, although they were rebranded in 2003 to the new Commuter livery. They were the very last Iarnród Éireann rolling stock to be shipped with the firm's original IR logo, though this was replaced with the version shortly after the trains entered service. The simplistic nature of its on board services and the fact the windows can be opened and closed has led to it developing the nickname the cattle car.

Deployment

Class 2600 were initially deployed on the brand new Dublin-Kildare Arrow service (now rebranded South Western Commuter). Although purchased for the new service, which began in 1994, they were also to be seen up until the early 2000s supplementing the locomotive hauled "Craven" coaching stock on Western Suburban (now Western Commuter) services, and occasionally on other lines also. Since January 2010, all 2600 class railcars have been moved to Kent Station, Cork, where they work Cork-Cobh, Cork-Midleton and Cork-Mallow services. Eight trainsets are formed with two railcars each, one with odd number, having a toilet and one with even number. Due to the odd total number of vehicles, a Hybrid set 2609/2716 had been formed. This has been withdrawn and is now stored in a shed in Cork station. All 2600 Class sets carry the new Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail logo and silver InterCity livery since August 2013. 2613/2610 was the last 2600 Class DMU to carry the Commuter livery. Sometimes when these units go to Limerick for servicing, a 2800 Class unit is sent as a replacement. When this happens, the two types of train can operate attached, although this is a rare occurrence.

In November 2022 2610 and 2613 had their front gangway connections removed, similar to the 2800 class units.

Fleet details

2610/13 without gangways, 2611/12 with gangways in Kent Station Cork
Class Operator Number Year Built Cars per Set Unit nos. Notes
2600 Class Commuter 16 (formerly 17) 1993-1994 2 2601/2602 2603/2604 2605/2616 2606/2615
2607/2608 2610/2613 2611/2612 2614/2617
2609 operated as a hybrid 2-car unit with 2716 (Now withdrawn)

References

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