Siemens has been awarded a new long-term rail infrastructure and maintenance framework for Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), continuing the company’s century-long presence in the country.
The new framework (worth more than 100 million EUR) will see Siemens replacing equipment first installed in the 1980s with its Trackguard Westlock computer-based interlocking (CBI) system at the National Train Control Centre in Dublin.
The new system, which will begin its rollout in Dublin and extend across the national network by 2040, will serve as the central information source for the rail network, managing train movements by processing information about train locations as well as controlling signals and points.
The system’s upgrade is hoped to improve performance for passenger and freight services across the country as a whole.
Rob Morris, Joint CEO and Managing Director for Rail Infrastructure and Software, Siemens Mobility UK&I said:I’m delighted that our century-long legacy will continue in Ireland as we embark on this journey to transform rail travel and transport. Our technology will play a vital role in Iarnród Éireann’s decarbonisation goals and enhancing network connectivity.
At its heart, this framework is about making rail travel better and more reliable for passengers, while helping freight move more efficiently across Ireland. Together with Iarnród Éireann, we're building a railway fit for Ireland's future, sustaining existing jobs but also creating new opportunities, and supporting the ambitious vision set out in Project Ireland 2040 and the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.
