Revised Autumn Timetable for Dublin Rail Providers from twenty second September

Iarnród Éireann will introduce a revised Autumn timetable for DART and Dublin Commuter companies from Monday twenty second September to Sunday 14th December 2025, to replicate the affect of seasonal leaf fall on rail companies.

While it’s the first time an Autum timetable has been carried out on Ireland’s rail community, Iarnród Éireann will be part of railways in Britain, Netherlands, Germany, USA and Canada amongst others in implementing such a measure.

Changes can be made to morning and night peak companies on DART and Dublin Commuter routes and can see journey instances prolonged by a median of three minutes at these instances.  Customers are notably requested to notice earlier departure instances on morning companies.

Why the change?

Autumn leaf fall causes low rail adhesion, with leaves – particularly in damp and moist autumnal circumstances – making a greasy layer on the rail that’s the equal of black ice on roads.  To guarantee security, practice drivers should drive extra cautiously and speed up and decelerate extra slowly at instances when rails are affected.

The revised timetable will subsequently replicate the restrictive nature of service operation throughout this difficult time of the yr for practice companies.

What’s altering?

• Morning companies can be barely within the superior within the morning with the purpose to realize scheduled arrival instances at vacation spot.
• Evening companies will depart as scheduled from origin with further time added in direction of vacation spot
• Journey instances are prolonged primarily between 1-3 minutes For extra info please go to irishrail.ie and please verify your instances earlier than travelling.

How Iarnród Éireann is tackling low rail adhesion

To scale back the affect of leaf fall, Iarnród Éireann makes use of a spread of applied sciences and upkeep methods:

• Vegetation Management: Drones assist determine high-risk bushes, with trimming carried out in step with biodiversity tips.
• Specialised Water-Jetting and Gel Application Machine: A specialised car cleans fallen leaves and contamination by cleansing the monitor with a excessive powered water jet on the entrance of the practice after which making use of a particular ‘gel’ substance to the rail. The specifically formulated gel consists of sand, antifreeze and metal shot that improves adhesion between practice wheels and the monitor.
• Traction Gel Applicators (TGAs): 127 photo voltaic powered TGAs are put in throughout the community in identified LRA hotspots. When a practice passes over the unit, it dispenses traction gel which improves the grip between the wheel and rail interface. Five new TGAs have been commissioned for the 2025 season at Woodbrook, Glenageary, Kilcoole & Ballyhale.
• Manual Gel & LeafGuard: Trained workers use handheld gel applicators and rail scrubbers at key junctions for fast response. Increased use of LeafGuard, a biodegradable cleaner, has proven as much as 70% enchancment in traction at take a look at websites, with additional trials underway in Limerick Junction and Athlone.
• Onboard Sanding Systems: All Iarnród Éireann trains are geared up to dispense sand mechanically or manually when wheel slip is detected.
• Data Monitoring:  A devoted staff of individuals repeatedly work on methods of tackling the problems LRA current.  Continuous monitoring and recording kinds the premise of a priceless database to permit Iarnród Éireann concentrate on particular LRA contributory parts, similar to identified hotspots.  Weather and Leaf fall charges are additionally captured

Additional info

For additional info, please go to irishrail.ie.