New Trains to Improve Access in Northern Ireland

Photo: Belfast Telegraph

Access to Northern Ireland’s rail network will be improved by 20 state-of-the-art trains costing £105 million, which have been ordered by the Province’s integrated bus and rail public transport company Translink.

The first stage of building the Class 4000 trains by Construcciones y Auxillar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) in Zaragoza, Spain has been completed and will now have their interiors and equipment fitted.

Once finished the trains will have to undergo 2,000 miles of fault-free testing before they are put into service, which could be as early as summer 2011. The new Class 4000 trains will replace nine Class 450 and four Class 80 trains that are still currently in service and are at least 20 years old.

All trains will be fitted with external destination displays on the front and sides as well as audible and visual passenger information, signage in Braille and embossed lettering. Accessibility features include wheelchair access and dedicated accommodation for two wheelchairs and companion seats. There will also be a fully wheelchair-accessible toilet and accommodation for four bicycles.

Translink head of business development Norman Maynes said: “These trains will be as good as any in Europe — they have high levels of accessibility and very modern standards.”

Source: Belfast Telegraph