CIÉ 8100 Class
| Córas Iompair Éireann 8100 Class | |
|---|---|
|
8306 arriving at Bray Daly railway station | |
| In service | 23 July 1984 - present |
| Manufacturer | Linke-Hofmann-Busch |
| Replaced | 2600 Class |
| Constructed | 1983 |
| Refurbishment | 2005 - 2007 (at Siemens, Leipzig, Germany) |
| Number built | 40 sets (80 cars) |
| Number in service | 37 sets |
| Number scrapped | 3 sets |
| Formation | 2 cars per trainset: DM-DT |
| Fleet numbers |
DM: 8101 – 8140 DT: 8301 – 8340 |
| Capacity | 128 seated |
| Operator(s) | DART |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC Overhead lines |
| Current collection method | Pantograph |
| Track gauge | 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) |
The CIÉ 8100 class were the first electrical multiple units used on the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. Built by GEC and Linke-Hofmann-Busch in 1983, they are two-car units, and were the only units used on the DART before the arrival of the 8200 Class. 40 two car sets were delivered, numbered 8101/8301 to 8140/8340. 81XX units are power cars while 83XX units are unpowered driving trailers. The driving cabs are full width, with the inner ends connected by gangways. Power cars always head North, while driving trailers head South.
The original seating layout consisted of 72 seats per coach with 16 tip up seats at the doors, giving 176 seats in total. With increasing passenger numbers and the heavy spring in the tip up seats becoming a possible source of injury, the tip seats were removed in the late 1980s. As a result of ever continuing passenger demand in the late 1990s extra standing room was provided through the removal of 16 seats from the 83XX unpowered driving trailers, reducing seating capacity to 56 giving a 2 car unit a total of 128 seats.
8110/8310 and 8136/8336 were withdrawn after suffering serious damage in a fire at Fairview depot in July 2001. All of the remaining units returned to service in 2007 and 2008 following refurbishment by Siemens. This included the installation of modified marker lights, removal of some seats to add more standing space giving all coaches 64 seats and space for a wheelchair, installation of an electronic passenger information system, new wheel slide protection equipment and digital traction control to replace the outdated analog system and installation of a door closing warning beeper. It was also supposedly intended to allow the units to operate in 8-car sets, the original units being limited to six cars, but some unmodified LHB sets had operated in 8-car formations during 2007.
As with other DART units, they are maintained at Fairview depot, as well as being stabled at Bray. By January 2013, as reported in the ITG Magazine "Irish Mail" sets 8103, 8105, 8113 and 8138 were temporarily stored out of service. All these units were returned to revenue service except 8103/8303, which has been withdrawn.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8100 | DART | 37 | 1983 | 2 | 8101 - 8102 8104 - 8109 8111 - 8135 8137 - 8140 |
8103, 8110 and 8136 withdrawn |