NIR Class 3000 (C3k)

Infobox DMU
name = Northern Ireland Railways 3000 Class

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imagesize = 300px
caption = A Class 3000 train at Belfast Central
background = #0000FF
Manufacturer = CAF
Formation = 3 per trainset
Built = 23 trainsets
InService = 2004-2005
Weight =
Capacity = 200 seated 80 standing passengers
MaxSpeed = 90mph
Gauge = 1600mm
Brakes =
Engine = 453 hp / car
Operator = Northern Ireland Railways|The Class 3000 (C3K class) is a class of diesel multiple unit in service with Northern Ireland Railways.

History

At the beginning of the 21st century, the majority of rail services in Northern Ireland continued to be operated using 80 Class DEMUs, which had been in service since the mid 1970s, and were becoming increasingly harder to maintain. NIR had not procured new rolling stock since 1994, when, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, it purchased locomotives and coaches for Enterprise. So, as part of a major investment programme in the railways in Northern Ireland, NIR made an order totalling £80 million, the largest single investment in rolling stock ever made by NIR, with CAF for twenty-three 3-car DEMUs in 2002. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1829446.stm New trains to boost rail network] BBC News]

The new trains entered service between 2004 and 2005, gradually replacing most of the existing 80 Class units on the network (the main exception being services between Belfast and Larne, which were still provided by the 450 Class DMUs). The trains are capable of speeds of up to 145 km/h (90 mph), seat 200 (including 15 on tip-up seats) and have standing room for 80 passengers.

The trains have unit numbers 3001-3023. All vehicles are powered. The individual cars are 3301 to 3323 3501 to 3523 and 3401 to 3423. The end vehicles on each unit have cabs. 3001 is formed 3301-3501-3401 up to 3023 being formed 3323-3523-3423

These trains however have proved to have some reliability problems, resulting, in extreme circumstances, in the train being taken out of service for a period. On a number of occasions, fire has broken out in the engine, as a result of components vibrating to much, and so all the class has had modifications made to the engines at a cost to CAF.

References

External links

* [http://www.caf.net/ingles/productos/proyecto.php?cod=3&id=496&sec=datos&pais=21 CAF 3000 Class]