View source for NI Railways

{{short description|Parastatal rail transport organisation of Northern Ireland (NIR)}}
{{for|the wider rail network on the island of Ireland|Rail transport in Ireland}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox rail
|name           = NI Railways
|logo           = Logo NI Railways.svg
|logo_size      = 300px
|image_filename = Crossing Trains At Castlerock.JPG
|image_caption  = [[NIR Class 3000|Class 3000]] trains at [[Castlerock railway station|Castlerock]]
|image_size     = 300px
|nameforarea    = region
|regions        = [[Northern Ireland]]
|predecessor    = [[Ulster Transport Authority]]
|founded        = 1967
|fleet          = 47
|stations       = 54
|gauge          = {{track gauge|1600mm}} [[Irish gauge]]
|oldgauge       = 
|parent_company = [[Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company|NITHCo]] ([[Translink (Northern Ireland)|Translink]])
|website        = {{Official URL}}
|map            = [[File:NIRailways Map.png|300px]]
|electrification= Unelectrified Network
|speed          = National speed limit: {{convert|90|mph|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}|other_name=
|subbox         =
|length         = {{convert|333|km}}<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://trn-prd-cdn-01.azureedge.net/mediacontainer/medialibraries/translink/publications-and-documents/policies-and-procedures/network-statement/network-statement-2025-final.pdf#page=15.08 |title=Northern Ireland Railways Network Statement 2025: For Working Timetable December 2024–December 2025 |date=2024-01-31 |page=16 |access-date=2024-04-06 |archive-date=6 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406095644/https://trn-prd-cdn-01.azureedge.net/mediacontainer/medialibraries/translink/publications-and-documents/policies-and-procedures/network-statement/network-statement-2025-final.pdf#page=15.08 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

'''NI Railways''', also known as '''Northern Ireland Railways''' (NIR; and for a brief period '''Ulster Transport Railways'''; UTR), is the railway operator in Northern Ireland. NIR is a subsidiary of [[Translink (Northern Ireland)|Translink]], whose parent company is the [[Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company]] (NITHCo), and is one of ten publicly owned train operators in the United Kingdom, the others being [[Direct Rail Services]], [[Caledonian Sleeper]], [[Northern Trains]], [[Transport for Wales Rail]], [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]], [[London North Eastern Railway|LNER]], [[ScotRail]], [[South Western Railway]] and [[TransPennine Express]]. It has a common Board of Management with the other two companies in the group, [[Ulsterbus]] and [[Metro (Belfast)|Metro]] (formerly Citybus).

The rail network in Northern Ireland is not part of the [[National Rail]] network of Great Britain, nor does it use [[Standard-gauge railway|standard gauge]], instead using [[5 ft 3 in gauge railways|Irish gauge]] in common with the Republic of Ireland. Also, NIR is the only commercial non-heritage passenger operator in the United Kingdom to operate a [[vertical integration]] model, with responsibility of all aspects of the network including running trains, maintaining rolling stock and infrastructure, and pricing. Since the [[Single European Railway Directive 2012]], the company has allowed [[open access (infrastructure)|open access]] operations by other rail operators, although no operator has started such a service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/Corporate/publications/network%20statement/Translink%20Network%20Statement%20March%202016.pdf|title=Northern Ireland Railways Network Statement 2018|date=28 April 2017|publisher=translink.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820121840/https://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/Corporate/publications/network%20statement/Translink%20Network%20Statement%20March%202016.pdf|archive-date=20 August 2017}}</ref> In 2019, NI Railways carried over 15 million passengers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.derryjournal.com/news/40-increase-in-rail-passengers-on-derry-line-1-8646340 |title=40% increase in rail passengers on Derry line |website=Derry Journal |date=25 September 2018 |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425205118/https://www.derryjournal.com/news/40-increase-in-rail-passengers-on-derry-line-1-8646340 |url-status=live }}</ref>

NIR jointly runs the [[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]] train service between Belfast and Dublin with [[Iarnród Éireann]]. There is no link to the [[Rail transport in Great Britain|rail system in Great Britain]]; [[Irish Sea Bridge|proposals have been made]], but allowances would have to be made for the different rail gauge in use in Britain ([[standard gauge]]) and Ireland ([[Irish gauge]]).

==History==
From the early 20th century until 1948, the three main railway companies in Northern Ireland were the [[Great Northern Railway (Ireland)|Great Northern Railway Ireland]] (GNRI), which had around one half of its network north of the border; the [[Northern Counties Committee]] (NCC), owned by the [[Midland Railway]] of England and later the [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]] (LMS); and the small [[Belfast and County Down Railway]] (BCDR). The Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1948 created the [[Ulster Transport Authority]] (UTA), which took over the BCDR later that year, followed by the NCC in 1949 as a result of the [[Ireland Act 1949]]. In 1958, the GNRI was dissolved and its lines north of the border were also taken over by the UTA. Under the UTA's management, the railway network of Northern Ireland shrank from 900&nbsp;miles (1,450&nbsp;km) to 225&nbsp;miles (362&nbsp;km). The UTA was split into rail and road operations in 1967, and the rail operations were taken over by the present company Northern Ireland Railways (NIR).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hollingsworth|first1=Brian|title=Railways of the World|date=1984|publisher=W.H Smith & Son Limited|isbn=0-86124-023-5|page=79}}</ref>
Suffering frequent disruption and damage to infrastructure caused by [[the Troubles]] and starved of investment by successive political administrations, the NIR network had become badly run down by the 1960s, with old rolling stock and poorly maintained track. NIR's last steam locomotives were withdrawn in 1970.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
In 1970, NIR re-launched the once-popular ''[[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]]'' between Dublin and Belfast with three new [[NIR Class 101]] diesel locomotives built by Hunslet in England and [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2B]] carriages built by [[British Rail Engineering Limited]] (BREL). Despite frequent interruptions due to bomb scares, the service has remained a more or less constant feature of the NIR network.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

As older trains became obsolete in the 1970s, the [[NIR Class 80|Class 80]] slam-door [[diesel-electric multiple unit]] was introduced. BREL built these units between 1974 and 1977 to [[British Rail]]'s Mark 2 design with some trailer cars rebuilt from hauled stock. The power cars were powered by an [[English Electric]] 4SRKT engine, nicknamed 'Thumpers' due to their characteristic sound, and had two English Electric 538 traction motors. These entered service on the suburban lines around [[Belfast]], becoming a stalwart on the whole network. They remained in service until 2012, latterly primarily on the Larne-Belfast line and the Coleraine-Portrush Line. In the early 1980s, NIR purchased one of the prototype [[British Rail Railbuses|LEV Railbuses]] built to test the [[railbus]] concept. This was intended for the [[Coleraine-Portrush railway line|Coleraine-Portrush branch]], but was withdrawn due to the capacity constraints of a single car. A plan was mooted to use it on the [[Lisburn-Antrim railway line|Lisburn-Antrim line]] to prevent it from being closed. This proposal failed, again because of the limited capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.downrail.co.uk/railbus.htm |title=Railbus to Drive out of Retirement in Downpatrick |publisher=Downrail.co.uk |date=30 March 2001 |access-date=24 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306032337/http://www.downrail.co.uk/railbus.htm |archive-date=6 March 2012 }}</ref>

NIR has three [[Electro-Motive Diesel|EMD]] [[NIR Class 111|class 111]] locomotives, 111–113, for freight and passenger use, built in October 1980 (111–112) and December 1984 (113). During the eighties it was apparent that additional trains would be needed. BREL built nine [[NIR 450 Class|450 Class]] sets on former [[British Railways Mark 1|Mark 1]] underframes between 1985 and 1987. The power cars had an English Electric 4SRKT engine recovered from former 70 Class units (except 459, which used the engine recovered from 80 Class power car 88) and had two English Electric 538 traction motors. The sets were three-car [[diesel-electric multiple unit]]s, based on a more modern British design, with air-operated sliding doors. They were withdrawn from service in 2012 and replaced by new [[NIR 4000 Class|4000 Class]] diesel multiple units. In 1994, NIR bought two EMD [[IE 201 Class|208 Class locomotives]] identical to [[Iarnród Éireann]]'s 201 Class. These haul the cross-border ''Enterprise'' dedicated trains of modern carriages.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Since 2002, NIR has modernised its rolling stock, with a full fleet replacement of new trains built by the Spanish company [[Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles|CAF]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/1829446.stm|title=New trains to boost rail network|date=2002-02-19|access-date=2019-04-05|language=en-GB|archive-date=12 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712224435/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/1829446.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 23 [[NIR Class 3000|Class 3000]] [[diesel multiple unit]]s made up the first batch of trains ordered at a cost of £80{{nbsp}}million. They offered greater capacity, performance and accessibility than their predecessors when they were delivered in 2004 and 2005.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4038729.stm|title=New trains make first journey|date=24 November 2004|access-date=24 August 2012|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=12 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312061159/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4038729.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The next order was for 20 [[NIR Class 4000|Class 4000s]], built 2010–2012. These offered similar benefits to the Class 3000s and completed the fleet replacement.<ref name="New Trains" /> Additionally, NIR has purchased 23 new carriages, via an option in the existing Class 4000 train procurement contract, these are to be used to extend Seven trains from three cars to six cars, which will add much more capacity and will also allow only one guard to be needed on a six-car train, which required two before.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.translink.co.uk/Latest-News/-translink-signs-50m-contract-with-caf-for-supply-of-21-new-train-carriages/|title=Translink signs £50M contract with CAF for supply of 21 new train carriages - Translink|website=www.translink.co.uk|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924143920/https://www.translink.co.uk/corporate/media/pressnews|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Ni railways logo.svg|thumb|Logo used from 1996 to 2021]] -->
In 2021, [[Translink (Northern Ireland)|Translink]] announced it would change all of its iconic logos (used for the previous 25 years in the Translink brand and sub brands such as NI Railways, [[Ulsterbus]] & [[Metro (Belfast)|Metro]]) to a new design. The design was intended to focus to "modernise and simplify the brand presence". The creation of the logo cost £15,000 and was created by Belfast-based company McCadden Design in partnership with [[Translink (Northern Ireland)|Translink]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Brendan |date=2021-09-29 |title=Cost to public confirmed of Translink's new logo design |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/cost-public-revealed-translinks-new-21710802 |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=BelfastLive |language=en |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126012817/https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/cost-public-revealed-translinks-new-21710802 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Translink unveils a new logo style with a focus on the future |url=https://logos-world.net/translink-unveils-a-new-logo-style-with-a-focus-on-the-future/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807225854/https://logos-world.net/translink-unveils-a-new-logo-style-with-a-focus-on-the-future/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Performance==
Translink's performance statistics for the 26 weeks up to 30 March 2025 noted an average punctuality for rail services of 96.2 %, with the Portadown/Newry Line showing the greatest average punctuality at 97.8 %, and the Portrush Line the least at 94.2 %.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delay-Repay Scheme {{!}} Translink |url=https://www.translink.co.uk/delay-repay-scheme |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.translink.co.uk}}</ref> Among other accolades, NIR won the UK Rail Business of the Year Award for 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.translink.co.uk/Corporate/About-Us/Publications/Monitoring-Results/NIR/|title=Monitoring Results - Translink|last=Translink|website=www.translink.co.uk|access-date=4 April 2016|archive-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410201547/http://www.translink.co.uk/Corporate/About-Us/Publications/Monitoring-Results/NIR/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Northern Ireland Railways.png|thumb|Logo used from 1987 to 1996]]
NIR carried 13.4{{nbsp}}million passengers in 2014–15 (up from 10.4{{nbsp}}million in 2010{{ndash}}2011), representing 417{{nbsp}}million passenger-km and earning £43.6{{nbsp}}million in ticket sales.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://www.drdni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/drd/northern-ireland-transport-statistics-2014-2015-public-transport.xlsx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105072935/https://www.drdni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/drd/northern-ireland-transport-statistics-2014-2015-public-transport.xlsx |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2016 |title=NI Railway Stats }}</ref>

In 2018{{ndash}}2019, NIR recorded 15.8{{nbsp}}million passenger journeys, the largest in the company's 50-year history.<ref name=":3">Rail Express 284 January 2020 p 96 published 20 December 2019</ref>
{|
|+NIR Passenger Numbers Since 2010
!Year
!Total
|-
|2010 - 2011
|{{increase}} 10.4 million<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2011 - 2012
|{{increase}} 10.7 million<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2012-13 |url=https://library2.nics.gov.uk/pdf/drd/2013/0315.pdf |access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|2012 - 2013
|{{increase}} 11.5 million<ref name=":4" />
|-
! colspan="2" |''<small>Final ageing [[NIR 80 Class|80]] and [[NIR 450 Class|450 Class]] trains are replaced with modern [[NIR Class 4000|C4K]] railcars</small>''
|-
|2013 - 2014
|{{increase}} 12.5 million<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2016-2017 |url=https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/system/files/publications/infrastructure/NI%20Transport%20Statistics%20Annual%202016-2017.pdf |access-date=16 October 2023 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923224305/https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/system/files/publications/infrastructure/NI%20Transport%20Statistics%20Annual%202016-2017.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2014 - 2015
|{{increase}} 13.4 million<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2015 - 2016
|{{increase}} 13.5 million<ref name=":5" />
|-
|2016 - 2017
|{{increase}} 14.2 million<ref name=":5" />
|-
|2017 - 2018
|{{increase}} 15.0 million<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2018-2019 |url=https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/system/files/publications/infrastructure/northern-ireland-transport-statistics-2018-2019-publication.pdf |access-date=16 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031152338/https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/system/files/publications/infrastructure/northern-ireland-transport-statistics-2018-2019-publication.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" |''<small>NI Railways' 50th Anniversary</small>''
|-
|2018 - 2019
|{{increase}} 15.8 million<ref name=":3" />
|-
! colspan="2" |''<small>[[COVID-19 pandemic]] begins, bringing with it long periods of travel restrictions</small>''
|-
|2019 - 2020
|{{decrease}} 15.1 million<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2021-22 |url=https://datavis.nisra.gov.uk/infrastructure/public-transport-statistics-northern-ireland-2122.html#Figure_1_Public_Transport_Passenger_Journeys:_2019-20_to_2021-22 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=datavis.nisra.gov.uk |archive-date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914024339/https://datavis.nisra.gov.uk/infrastructure/public-transport-statistics-northern-ireland-2122.html#Figure_1_Public_Transport_Passenger_Journeys:_2019-20_to_2021-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2020 - 2021
|{{decrease}} 3.3 million<ref name=":6" />
|-
|2021 - 2022
|{{increase}} 8.7 million<ref name=":6" />
|-
! colspan="2" |''<small>End of COVID-19 travel restrictions</small>''
|-
|2022 - 2023
|{{increase}} 11.5 million<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOI1317 NIR Footfall 2223.xlsx |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/972545/response/2312885/attach/html/4/FOI1317%20NIR%20Footfall%202223.xlsx.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.whatdotheyknow.com |date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031150812/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/972545/response/2312885/attach/html/4/FOI1317%20NIR%20Footfall%202223.xlsx.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

== Rolling stock ==

=== Current fleet ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Number Delivered
! rowspan="2" |Routes operated
! rowspan="2" |Built
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
!&nbsp;mph&nbsp;
!&nbsp;km/h&nbsp;
|-
! colspan="8" |Passenger fleet
|-
|[[NIR Class 3000|Class 3000]]
|[[File:Seahill (1) (cropped).jpg|100x100px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Diesel multiple unit]]
| rowspan="2" |90
| rowspan="2" |145
|23
| |[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Derry ~ Londonderry railway station|Derry~Londonderry]]<br />[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Newry railway station|Newry]]<br />[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Bangor railway station (Northern Ireland)|Bangor]]<br />[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne]]<br />[[Coleraine railway station|Coleraine]] – [[Portrush railway station|Portrush]]<br />[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Connolly station|Dublin]] ([[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]]){{ref|a|a}}
|2003–2005
|-
|[[NIR Class 4000|Class 4000]]
|[[File:Coleraine railway station 3.jpg|100x100px]]
|20
||[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Derry ~ Londonderry railway station|Derry~Londonderry]]<br />[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Newry railway station|Newry]]<br />[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Bangor railway station (Northern Ireland)|Bangor]]<br />[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne]]<br />[[Coleraine railway station|Coleraine]] – [[Portrush railway station|Portrush]]
|2010{{ndash}}2021
|-
! colspan="8" |Infrastructure fleet
|-
|[[CIÉ 071 Class|111 Class]]
|[[File:Ballast Train, Antrim.JPG|100x100px]]
|[[Diesel locomotive]]
|90
|145
|3
|Infrastructure duties
|1980{{ndash}}1984
|-
|[[IE 201 Class|201 Class]] 
|[[File:209, Moira.JPG|100x100px]]
|[[Diesel locomotive]]
|102
|164
|2
|[[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] - [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Dublin]] ([[Enterprise (train)|Enterprise]])<br />Infrastructure duties
|1994{{ndash}}1995
|-
|[[NIR MPV|MPV]]
|[[File:NIR MPV, Adelaide.jpg|frameless|100x100px]]
|[[Diesel multiple unit]]
|62
|100
|1
|Sandite duties
|2016
|-
| colspan="8"|<small>{{ref|a|a}} Only 6 Class 3000 units are equipped with [[Continuous Automatic Warning System|CAWS]], which allows them to operate in the [[Republic of Ireland]].</small>
|}

[[File:NIR 3000-4000.jpg|alt=2 NI Railways trains at a platform with an overhead gantry|thumb|NI Railways Class 4000 (left) and Class 3000 (right); side by side at Great Victoria Street Station, Belfast, October 2022.]]
NIR also owns half of the 28 [[Coaching Stock of Ireland#De Dietrich (1997-present)|De Dietrich stock]] coaches used by [[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]], the international service between Belfast and Dublin. These units have their own unique livery, and do not operate under NIR branding or on any other services in Northern Ireland or the Republic. In 2005, NIR investigated obtaining seven [[British Rail Class 222|Class 222]] DEMUs built for British operator [[Midland Mainline (train operating company)|Midland Mainline]] to use for Enterprise, but these entered service with their intended operator. They would have required significant modification to enable NIR to use them, including conversion from [[standard gauge]] to [[Rail gauge#Dominant gauges|Irish gauge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20157/157%20News%20NIR.htm |title=NIR News 157 |publisher=Irrs.ie |date=23 August 2005 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208083903/http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20157/157%20News%20NIR.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

NIR retained one Class 80 unit (three power cars and two driving trailers) as its [[sandite]] train during the 2012-2017 leaf fall seasons. It was planned that a Class 450 unit was to be used for this role.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20183/183%20NewsNIR.htm |title=Journal 183 NEWS TRANSLINK – NORTHERN IRELAND RAILWAYS |date=4 July 2014 |website=IRRS |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-date=14 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814223021/http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20183/183%20NewsNIR.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in 2015, Translink awarded a contract to [[Windhoff|Windhoff Bahn AG]] to procure a new double ended [[NIR MPV|multi-purpose vehicle]] to undertake sandite and high-pressure water spraying, as well as weed killing operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:138917-2015:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0|title=Supply Contract – United Kingdom-Belfast: Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts 2015/S 078-138917|date=22 April 2015|website=Tenders Electronic Daily|publisher=Official Journal of the EU|access-date=20 July 2015|archive-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112192640/http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:138917-2015:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== "New Trains" fleet replacement ====
[[File:NIR C4k no. 4017 at Portadown.jpg|alt=Extended train 4017 being checked by engineers at Portadown station whilst on test.|thumb|Extended train 4017 at Portadown.]]
In 2004/2005, NIR received 23 [[NIR 3000 Class|Class 3000]] diesel multiple units from [[Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles|CAF]] of Spain in an £80{{nbsp}}million order.<ref name=":0" /> The final unit, 3023, arrived in Belfast Harbour on Monday 18 July 2005.<ref>[http://www.translink.co.uk/050721LastNewTrainLandsAtBelfastHarbour.asp Translink Press Release: Last New Train lands at Belfast Harbour]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603234125/http://www.translink.co.uk/050721LastNewTrainLandsAtBelfastHarbour.asp|date=3 June 2006}}</ref> All units had entered service by 24 September 2005. A maintenance contract with CAF for these vehicles was extended in May 2020 for another 15 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/translink-extends-caf-train-maintenance-contract/|title=Translink extends CAF train maintenance contract|date=4 May 2020 |access-date=7 May 2020|archive-date=8 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508063406/https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/translink-extends-caf-train-maintenance-contract/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, NIR announced plans to purchase up to 20 trains under its "New Trains 2010" proposal following the confirmation of its expected budget. This fleet replaced the remaining Class 80 and Class 450 trains by March 2012. Renamed as "New Trains Two", this project went out to tender in late 2007.<ref name="New Trains" /> In March 2009 it was announced that CAF had been selected to build the new fleet, named [[NIR Class 4000|Class 4000]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7963296.stm|title=Contract signed on trains for NI|date=25 March 2009|access-date=24 August 2012|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924143830/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7963296.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The first units were delivered in March 2011, with entry into service in September 2011<ref>[http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/c4ks-start-running-to-larne.html C4Ks start running to Larne] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006140607/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/c4ks-start-running-to-larne.html |date=6 October 2011 }} – Railway Gazette, 04/10/11</ref>

In December 2018, NIR, announced that 21 additional carriages would be purchased from CAF at the cost of £50{{nbsp}}million, via an option in the existing Class 4000 train procurement contract. The first of the new carriages arrived in Belfast in March 2021, they were integrated onto Unit 4017 and tested throughout the summer, until being put into service on 29 September 2021.<ref name=":1" />

===Past fleet===

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|'''&nbsp;Class&nbsp;'''
|'''&nbsp;Image&nbsp;'''
|'''&nbsp;Type&nbsp;'''
|'''&nbsp;Built&nbsp;'''
|'''&nbsp;Withdrawn&nbsp;'''
|'''&nbsp;Notes&nbsp;'''
|-
|[[SLNCR Lough class|Class Z]]
|[[File:Lough Erne, Whitehead.JPG|frameless|98x98px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Steam locomotive]]
|1949
|1969
|Ex-SLNCR Lough class. No. 49 Lough Erne preserved at the [[Railway Preservation Society of Ireland]].
|-
|[[NCC Class WT|Class WT]]
|[[File:NCC WT Class loco no 4.JPG|frameless|98x98px]]
|1946{{ndash}}1950
|1969{{ndash}}1971
|[[2-6-4]] [[tank engines]] nicknamed "Jeeps" due to their general purpose traffic ability.<br>Used for Spoil trains from [[Magheramorne]] to shores of [[Belfast Lough]] as well as shunting, passenger and freight.<br>Arguably the last steam locomotives in mainline operation in Ireland and the British Isles. No. 4 preserved at the [[Railway Preservation Society of Ireland]].
|-
|[[NIR 1 Class|Class 1]]
|[[File:Broken-down train at Ballyrobert - geograph.org.uk - 1021197.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Diesel locomotive]]
|1969
|1989
|Shunters. Since withdrawal two have been rebuilt for work in [[Sri Lanka]]; one is in storage in [[Wales]].
|-
|[[NIR 101 Class|101 Class]]
|[[File:101 NIR enterprise service - dublin - 15-09-1980.jpg|100px]]
|1970
|2002
|Intended for loco hauled Enterprise services. One preserved at the [[Ulster Folk and Transport Museums]]
|-
|[[CIÉ 201 Class|104 Class]]
|[[File:Ballast train, Whitehead - geograph.org.uk - 1630002.jpg|100px]]
|1956{{ndash}}1957
|1997
|Originally operated under [[Córas Iompair Éireann|CIÉ]]; six transferred to NIR in 1986. All scrapped.
|-
|[[GNRI AEC Class|AEC]]
|[[File:Lambeg station (1971) - geograph.org.uk - 991887.jpg|frameless|100x100px]]
| rowspan="7" |[[Diesel multiple unit]]
|{{nowrap|1948{{ndash}}1950}}
|1972
|10 Inherited from the UTA. All scrapped.
|-
|[[GNRI BUT Class|BUT]]
|[[File:BUT railcar, Lisburn - geograph.org.uk - 1442604.jpg|frameless|100x100px]]
|1956{{ndash}}1958
|1975{{ndash}}1980
|Nine vehicles converted to hauled stock over the 1970s, these lasted until 1980. All scrapped.
|-
|[[UTA MED|MED]]
|[[File:Delayed train, Lisburn - geograph.org.uk - 1087236.jpg|100px]]
|{{nowrap|1952{{ndash}}1954}}
|{{nowrap|1973{{ndash}}1978}}
|Intended for local services around [[Belfast]]. All scrapped.
|-
|[[UTA MPD|MPD]]
|[[File:Railcar at Crumlin - geograph.org.uk - 1087272.jpg|100px]]
|1957{{ndash}}1962
|1981{{ndash}}1984
|Intended for longer distance former [[Northern Counties Committee|NCC]] routes and Enterprise. All scrapped.
|-
|[[UTA 70 Class|70 Class]]
|[[File:Permanent way train, Larne - geograph.org.uk - 1088463.jpg|100px]]
|1966{{ndash}}1968
|1985{{ndash}}1986
|Passenger DEMU. Engines recovered for use in 450 Class units. One intermediate is preserved at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway. One driving trailer was also preserved, but was destroyed.
|-
|[[NIR 80 Class|80 Class]]
|[[File:Sandite At Helen's Bay.JPG|100px]]
|1974{{ndash}}1979
|2011{{ndash}}2017
|Passenger DEMU affectionately nicknamed 'Thumpers'.<br>Operated on all routes. Also used for [[Sandite]] until 2017. Four cars preserved at the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]] and one at the [[East Lancashire Railway]].
|-
|[[NIR 450 Class|450 Class]]
|[[File:A Passing train - geograph.org.uk - 395636.jpg|100px]]
|1985{{ndash}}1987
|2011{{ndash}}2012
|Passenger DEMU nicknamed the Castle Class by enthusiasts.<br>Power cars named after Northern Ireland castles.<br>Initially designed for commuter or branch line traffic but could be found over the entire network.<br>One example is preserved on the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]].
|-
|[[British Rail railbuses|RB3]]
|[[File:Railbus, Portrush.jpg|100px]]
|[[Railbus|Diesel railcar]]
|1980
|1990
|Prototype built for [[British Rail]]; transferred to NIR in 1983. Preserved at the Gwendraeth Valley Railway.
|-
|[[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] 'Gatwicks'
|[[File:8113 passing Broomhedge - geograph.org.uk - 334827.jpg|100px]]
|[[Passenger railroad car|Passenger Carriage]]
|1973
|2009
|Bought from [[Gatwick Express]] in 2001 and later used on the [[Portadown line|Belfast-Portadown]] route once a day until 2009.
|}

==Routes==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}
[[File:Northern Ireland Railways Routemap 24.svg|thumb|A map showing the modern map of Northern Ireland Railways Network]]
NIR maintains the following lines:
* [[Belfast–Bangor line|Bangor Line]]. Commuter line running northeast from Belfast. Travels along the north Down coast to the seaside town of [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]. The only remaining line from the historical [[Belfast & County Down Railway]].
* [[Belfast–Derry line|Derry~Londonderry Line]]. The only inter-city line located entirely within Northern Ireland. Longest route by time and length. This line is sometimes referred to the Maiden City Flyer, joining the two main cities of Northern Ireland.
* [[Belfast–Dublin line|Dublin Line]]. Inter-city line running south over the Irish border to [[Dublin]]. All services operate under the brand [[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]]. This service is operated in conjunction with [[Iarnród Éireann]], who are responsible for the line south of the border.
* [[Belfast–Larne line|Larne Line]]. Commuter line running north from Belfast. Most of this line is coastal, with a terminus at Larne Harbour, allowing interchange with the ferry service to [[Cairnryan]].
* [[Belfast–Newry line|Newry Line]]. Commuter line running southwest from Belfast. Travels through several urban centres in Counties Down and Armagh.
* [[Coleraine–Portrush line|Portrush Line]]. A generally-rural branch line connecting the Causeway coast towns of Coleraine and Portrush. The shortest line on the NIR network, with only four stations, and the only line not to enter Belfast.
* [[Lisburn–Antrim line]]. The former route for Derry~Londonderry Line trains south of Antrim between 1976 and 2001. Currently mothballed, with no scheduled passenger service operating since 2003. Has rarely been used as a diversion for Derry~Londonderry Line trains. A study is now underway to understand the feasibility of reopening the track with a link to [[Belfast International Airport]].

The track from [[Belfast Grand Central station|Grand Central]] to {{stnlink|Lanyon Place}} is shared by the Bangor, Derry~Londonderry and Larne lines. Beyond this, the Derry~Londonderry and Larne lines share track as far as {{stnlink|Bleach Green}}. On the other side of the city, the track from Grand Central to {{stnlink|Newry}} is shared between the Dublin and Newry lines. The Portrush Line shares a small amount of track with the Derry~Londonderry Line at {{stnlink|Coleraine}}.

Signalling is controlled from Coleraine (Coleraine to Portrush), Portadown (the border to Lisburn), and Belfast Lanyon Place (From Lisburn to Belfast and the rest of the network).

===Services===
NIR operates regular passenger trains along the following routes during the weekday inter-peak:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="4" | Northern Ireland Railways [[File:Logomark NI Railways.svg|15px|link=NI Railways|alt=]]
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – {{rws|Bangor|Northern Ireland}} || 2 || {{rws|City Hospital}}, {{rws|Botanic}}, {{rws|Belfast Lanyon Place}}, {{rws|Titanic Quarter}}, {{rws|Sydenham|Northern Ireland}}, {{rws|Holywood|Northern Ireland}}, {{rws|Marino|Northern Ireland}}, {{rws|Cultra}}, {{rws|Seahill}}, {{rws|Helen's Bay}}, {{rws|Carnalea}}, {{rws|Bangor West}}
|-
| [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – [[Derry ~ Londonderry railway station|Derry~Londonderry]]|| 1 || {{cslist|{{rws|City Hospital}}, {{rws|Botanic}}, {{rws|Belfast Lanyon Place}}, {{rws|York Street}}, {{rws|Whiteabbey}} (limited), {{rws|Mossley West}}, {{rws|Antrim}}, {{rws|Ballymena}}, {{rws|Cullybackey}}, {{rws|Ballymoney}}, {{rws|Coleraine}}, {{rws|Castlerock}}, {{rws|Bellarena}}}}
|-
| [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – {{stnlink|Portadown}} and {{stnlink|Newry}} || 2 || {{cslist|{{stnlink|Adelaide|Northern Ireland}}, {{stnlink|Balmoral}}, {{stnlink|Finaghy}}, {{stnlink|Dunmurry}}, {{stnlink|Derriaghy}}, {{stnlink|Lambeg}}, {{stnlink|Hilden}}, {{stnlink|Lisburn}}, {{stnlink|Moira}}, {{stnlink|Lurgan}}}}
*{{abbr|4tpd|4 trains per day}} extended from/to Newry, calling at {{cslist|{{rws|Portadown}}, {{rws|Scarva}}, {{stnlink|Poyntzpass}}}}
|-
| [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – {{rws|Whitehead}} and {{rws|Larne Harbour}} || 2 || {{cslist|{{rws|City Hospital}}, {{rws|Botanic}}, {{rws|Belfast Lanyon Place}}, {{rws|York Street}}, {{rws|Whiteabbey}}, {{rws|Jordanstown}}, {{rws|Greenisland}}, {{rws|Trooperslane}}, {{rws|Clipperstown}}, {{rws|Carrickfergus}}, {{rws|Downshire}}}}
*{{abbr|1tph|1 train per hour}} extended to/from Larne Harbour, calling at {{cslist|{{rws|Ballycarry}}, {{rws|Magheramorne}}, {{rws|Glynn}}, {{rws|Larne Town}}}}
|-
| [[Coleraine railway station|Coleraine]] – {{rws|Portrush}} || 1 || {{cslist|{{rws|University|Northern Ireland}}, {{rws|Dhu Varren}}}}
|-
! colspan="4" | Enterprise
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast]] – {{rws|Dublin Connolly}} || 1 || {{cslist|{{rws|Portadown}}, {{rws|Newry}}, {{rws|Dundalk Clarke}}, {{rws|Drogheda MacBride}}}}

* 1 Train on a Sunday from Belfast also calls at [[Lisburn railway station|Lisburn]] and [[Lurgan railway station|Lurgan]]
*Services operated jointly with [[Iarnród Éireann]]
|}

=== Suspended routes ===
Following the re-opening of the {{convert|15|mi|km|adj=on}} Antrim – Bleach Green line in June 2001,<ref>[http://www.nirailways.co.uk/antrimbleachgreen.asp Antrim – Bleach Green: Rebirth of a Railway Line] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625103101/http://www.nirailways.co.uk/antrimbleachgreen.asp |date=25 June 2009 }}</ref> which had been closed since 1978, NIR ceased passenger operations between Lisburn and Antrim on 29 June 2003.  Combined with the new Dargan Bridge across the River Lagan in Belfast, the Bleach Green route offered faster journeys between [[Derry]], Coleraine, [[Ballymena]], Antrim and Belfast.

The [[Lisburn-Antrim railway line]] is still maintained, and occasional crew training operations are performed.  While it is also available as a diversionary route, Knockmore, Ballinderry, Glenavy, and Crumlin stations remain closed to the public. The passing loops at Ballinderry and Crumlin have been removed.

== Future ==
[[File:Ballasting the track at the Maze Station - geograph.org.uk - 334822.jpg|thumb|Track ballasting on the NIR system.]]
The development of railways in Northern Ireland has been linked to the future economic growth of the region, and as a way of reducing road congestion.<ref>[http://railwatch.org.uk/backtrack/rw85/rw085p13.pdf Ulster rail expansion needed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117090229/http://railwatch.org.uk/backtrack/rw85/rw085p13.pdf |date=17 January 2016 }} – Railwatch, 08/2000</ref> One of the major challenges that NIR has faced is the limited number of trains available for service at peak times. The limited fleet size has led to services being cancelled due to failures or delays. This can lead to widespread disruption across the network and potentially a huge loss in revenue. Upon its establishment in 1998, the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] put in place an investment programme costing £100{{nbsp}}million to bring about major improvements. This saw projects including the purchase of the 3000 Class trains, the complete relaying of the [[Belfast-Larne railway line|Belfast-Larne line]] and the construction of a new maintenance depot.<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-154460103.html An 'enterprising' future for Northern Ireland]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616131332/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-154460103.html |date=16 June 2009 }}</ref> Following completion of this, as part of its long-term investment programme for NIR Translink conducted a "Strategic Rail Review" in 2004, an independent review of rail services to determine its funding request under the [[Comprehensive Spending Review]]. This report determined that so-called "lesser used lines" were an important and economically viable part of the total network, and that investment should be consistent rather than in the "stop-go" manner of previous years.<ref name="Core Programme: Better Rail Services">[http://www.nirailways.co.uk/coreprogbetterrailservices.asp Core Programme: Better Rail Services] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006040637/http://www.nirailways.co.uk/coreprogbetterrailservices.asp |date=6 October 2008 }}</ref>

A debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday 14 May 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ni/?id=2007-05-14.3.60 |title=Northern Ireland Assembly: Development of the Rail Network |publisher=Theyworkforyou.com |date=14 May 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=13 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013020339/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ni/?id=2007-05-14.3.60 |url-status=live }}</ref> raised several proposals as to how the railway network could be improved:
* Reopening of existing but closed infrastructure, notably the [[Lisburn-Antrim railway line|Lisburn-Antrim line]]
* Improvement of the infrastructure on the [[Belfast–Derry line|Belfast-Derry~Londonderry]] line through, at the very least, the installation of [[passing loop]]s to allow service frequency to be increased, and upgrading the track to allow higher speeds.

Pressure groups have advocated the protection of former routes, where the track has been lifted but the [[trackbed]] remains intact, to enable these to be reinstated for commuter traffic as an alternative to increased road building.<ref>[http://www.pacni.gov.uk/bmapstage2/objector/BMAP%202917-1.pdf Rail21: Protection of the Former Railway Trackbed from Kingsbog to Ballyclare] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229130419/http://www.pacni.gov.uk/bmapstage2/objector/BMAP%202917-1.pdf |date=29 February 2008 }}</ref>

In October 2007, following the CSR that provided funding allocation to the [[Northern Ireland Executive]], the [[Department for Regional Development]] announced its draft budget. [[Conor Murphy]], the Regional Development Minister, stated that approximately £137{{nbsp}}million could be allocated from for investment in the railways for the period 2008–2011.<ref name="Draft Budget" />

In June 2008, Brian Guckian, an independent transport researcher from [[Dublin]], presented a wide-ranging proposal to Translink for a £460{{nbsp}}million expansion of the network called ''Northern Ireland Network Enhancement'' (NINE). This proposes the return of the network to several towns that have not had access to rail services for many years; the main part of the proposal would see the [[Portadown, Dungannon and Omagh Junction Railway|Derry~Londonderry-Portadown line]] re-opened, which would link [[Omagh]], [[Strabane]] and [[Dungannon]], with branches to [[Enniskillen]] and [[Armagh]]. However, none of these enhancements are programmed to go to planning over the course of the next decade as of early 2013.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Translink have plans to introduce a new ticketing system in 2018 similar to the system utilised by Irish Rail. This includes the introduction of ticket vending machines, allowing customers to purchase tickets via an electronic interface at the station (as opposed to the current system in which customers must pay staff for the ticket, who in turn print the customer's ticket for them), a 'smart card' 'tap on, tap off' system similar to the [[Leap Card]] and contactless payments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.translink.co.uk/also-on-our-site/translink-future-ticketing-system/|title=Translink Future Ticketing System - Translink|last=Translink|website=www.translink.co.uk|access-date=22 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034309/http://www.translink.co.uk/also-on-our-site/translink-future-ticketing-system/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===
[[File:Rail transport infrastructure map - Northern Ireland.svg|thumb|Map of Northern Ireland's rail transport infrastructure, showing number of tracks and maximum speed. Due to poor infrastructure, trains are generally slower in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland.]]
[[File:Belfast Great Victoria Street.jpg|thumb|Class 3000 units at former station Great Victoria Street]]
The rail network is focused on [[Greater Belfast]]. Both the [[Belfast-Bangor railway line|Bangor]] and [[Belfast-Larne railway line|Larne]] lines have been re-laid in recent years, enabling timetable improvements to be delivered.<ref name="Northern Corridor Railways Group">{{cite web |url=http://www.colerainebc.gov.uk/content_gfx/other/NCRG%20Final%20Report%20A4.pdf |title=Northern Corridor Railways Group: Northern Corridor Railway Renaissance |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823052313/http://www.colerainebc.gov.uk/content_gfx/other/NCRG%20Final%20Report%20A4.pdf |archive-date=23 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The only significant "inter-city" routes are the [[Dublin-Belfast railway line|main line]] between Belfast and Dublin, which covers services to [[Newry]]; and the [[Belfast-Derry railway line|Belfast-Derry line]]. This line is [[Single track (rail)|single track]] with crossing loops north of [[Mossley West railway station|Mossley West]] and single track only west of {{stnlink|Castlerock}}, which limits the service in both frequency and speed; in the current timetable the train takes 2hr4m<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/timetables/spring%202016/DB20171121.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=11 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312072448/http://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/timetables/spring%202016/DB20171121.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while the bus takes 1hr50m.<ref>[http://journeyplanner.translink.co.uk/ext_webpdf_desk/TTB/20170308-115112/nir/EFA01__070212y15_TP.pdf]{{Dead link|date=August 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The pressure group ''Into the West'', which campaigns for improved rail links to the North West region, has stated that the need for a quality rail service, as part of a larger integrated transport policy, is vital to the economic development not just for the city of Derry but for the wider cross-border region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.derryjournal.com/gerry-murray/Ships-and-boats-and-trains.2958531.jp |title=Ships and boats and trains |publisher=Derryjournal.com |date=15 June 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619235341/http://www.derryjournal.com/gerry-murray/Ships-and-boats-and-trains.2958531.jp |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 21 November 2007, the Regional Development Minister announced that the investment strategy being considered by the NI Executive included the relaying of the Belfast-Londonderry line north of [[Coleraine]], planned to include new signalling and a new crossing loop, allowing more trains. The total cost was £64{{nbsp}}million, and began in 2011, lasting five years. Prior to the major relaying of the Coleraine-Londonderry section, £12{{nbsp}}million was spent on improving the section between [[Ballymena]] and Coleraine.<ref>[http://www.railnews.co.uk/2008/01/news/international/200801_intercity.html New Intercity train fleet starts on fastest-growing route]{{Dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref> This saw the stretch between Ballymena and Coleraine closed completely for four months, with a replacement bus service. Trains continued to run between Derry~Londonderry, [[Coleraine railway station|Coleraine]] and [[Portrush]], with a small fleet stabled at Coleraine<ref>{{cite news |last=McKimm |first=Mike |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7900379.stm |title=Downsized rail network 'speedier' |publisher=BBC News |date=19 February 2009 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=23 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223090212/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7900379.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> – four trains were stabled instead of the three previously reported. Once the project was completed in 2016, there is a further proposal to add two trains per day, enabling journey times between Belfast and Derry~Londonderry to be reduced by up to 30 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-drd-211107-open-letter-to |title=Open letter to media from Conor Murphy on Londonderry railway line |publisher=Northernireland.gov.uk |date=21 November 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209012434/http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-drd-211107-open-letter-to |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of this plan, Translink envisages an hourly service to Derry~Londonderry, half-hourly to [[Ballymena railway station|Ballymena]]. There have been proposals to improve the Belfast-Dublin line between [[Knockmore]] and [[Lurgan]], enabling journey times to be reduced and frequency increased.<ref name="Draft Budget" /> This will improve NIR's services and allow an hourly Enterprise service to Dublin.<ref name="Northern Corridor Railways Group" />

In May 2008, the Regional Development Minister announced that his department would commission a study, in conjunction with Donegal County Council, to investigate the effects a resurrection of railway services in the north-west of Ireland with a long-term projection of building a railway line connecting Derry~Londonderry with [[Sligo]] through [[County Donegal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/North-West-railway-study-announced.4120652.jp |title=North West railway study announced |publisher=Derryjournal.com |date=26 May 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619235353/http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/North-West-railway-study-announced.4120652.jp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As part of NIR's original plans for its new rolling stock, it has built a new traincare depot next to [[Adelaide railway station, Northern Ireland|Adelaide station]] on the site of the old freight yard. As a means of improving timings of its services, it would have seen former station Belfast Great Victoria Street undergo a major refurbishment that will see the platforms lengthened and the curves reduced, together with the addition of a new fifth platform, all planned to bring about the transfer of Enterprise services from {{stnlnk|Belfast Lanyon Place}}.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Ferris|first1= Cyril|year= 2009|title= Enterprise moving to Great Victoria Street?|journal= Today's Railways|issue= 97|page= 37}}</ref>

Further plans are afoot to double the track from Monkstown to [[Templepatrick]], to further increase capacity on the Derry~Londonderry line.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

====Portadown to Armagh====
In 2013, the then Minister for [[Department for Regional Development|Regional Development]], [[Danny Kennedy (politician)|Danny Kennedy]], indicated that a restoration of the route between {{stnlnk|Portadown}} and {{stnlnk|Armagh}} was under active consideration in the long term, pointing out the commercial opportunities for the city of Armagh and its [[hinterland]] to be reconnected to the railway network.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/local/kennedy-has-rail-hopes-for-armagh-line-restoration-1-5364856|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130821102625/http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/local/kennedy-has-rail-hopes-for-armagh-line-restoration-1-5364856|url-status = dead|archive-date = 21 August 2013|title = Kennedy has hopes for Armagh line restoration – Portadown Times|access-date = 21 August 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Remains of an old Railway Bridge, Ballybrannon Road, Armagh - geograph.org.uk - 582611.jpg|thumb|Remains of an old railway bridge, Ballybrannon Road, Armagh awaiting reconstruction.]]

==== Airport links ====
[[File:Ballinderry Railway Station.jpg|thumb|{{stnlnk|Ballinderry}} on the disused [[Lisburn-Antrim railway line|Lisburn-Antrim line]]]]
Speculation{{who|date=October 2021|reason=Who is speculating? Cite or remove}} remains that the [[Lisburn-Antrim railway line|Lisburn-Antrim]] route could re-open, potentially to offer an alternative Antrim – Lisburn – Belfast service. The line is maintained both for crew training and as a diversionary route, and passes close to [[Belfast International Airport]] at Aldergrove. For a number of years there have been suggestions for a [[Aldergrove railway station|station]] to serve the airport.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6947326.stm |title=Fresh call for airport rail link |publisher=BBC News |date=15 August 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924143830/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6947326.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The airport has marked the building of a new station in its list of future plans,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.belfastairport.com/en/content.asp?area=5&id=238 |title=Belfast International Airport Master Plan |publisher=Belfastairport.com |date=17 August 2012 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207142331/http://www.belfastairport.com/en/content.asp?area=5&id=238 |url-status=live }}</ref> while [[EasyJet]], which is the largest operator into Belfast International, have been strong in advocating an [[airport rail link]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Colletta |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7252638.stm |title=Disused track 1 mile from airport |publisher=BBC News |date=19 February 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816103454/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7252638.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The reopening of the Lisburn-Antrim line is seen not simply in terms of provision of a link to the airport – it would also allow for the further economic development of the area, which has seen increases in population as people use the towns in South Antrim as dormitory settlements for Belfast.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ni/?id=2007-07-02.5.1 |title=Northern Ireland Assembly: Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line |publisher=Theyworkforyou.com |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022015127/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ni/?id=2007-07-02.5.1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2009, the Minister for Regional Development stated that a proposal had been received from a private developer, the Kilbride Group, to restore the Knockmore line, indicating that he would be prepared to part fund a study into this if the local authorities provided the rest of the funding. The route was also included in a wider study of the development of the Northern Rail Corridor published at the end of 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20170/170%20News%20NIR.htm |title=NIR News 170 |publisher=Irrs.ie |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=24 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224203313/http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20170/170%20News%20NIR.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 identifies the need to improve transport links to [[George Best Belfast City Airport]] from the city centre. The BMAP proposed a [[CITI Belfast|light rail]] line from the city centre that would have interchanged with a [[Tillysburn railway station|new railway station]] at Tillysburn, serving both the airport and the [[Holywood Exchange]] retail development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planningni.gov.uk/AreaPlans_Policy/Plans/BMA/draft_plan/02Part4/volume2/Harbour/Transportation_pfv.htm |title=BMAP Transport Proposals |access-date=30 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051229105035/http://www.planningni.gov.uk/AreaPlans_Policy/Plans/BMA/draft_plan/02Part4/volume2/Harbour/Transportation_pfv.htm |archive-date=29 December 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, in April 2008 the decision was taken not to proceed with the light rail project, with the DRD choosing to implement a new bus-based network.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cassidy |first=Martin |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7335313.stm |title=City to get rapid transit network |publisher=BBC News |date=8 April 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=9 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409114158/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7335313.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7336238.stm |title=No light rail system for city |publisher=BBC News |date=8 April 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924143831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7336238.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The pressure group ''Rail 21'' has stated that the Tillysburn proposal is insufficient for what the new station is expected to provide – a link to the airport, transport provision for Holywood Exchange and a [[park and ride]] facility. Instead it proposes a dedicated airport station, similar to {{stnlnk|Glasgow Prestwick Airport}}, connected directly to the terminal, with Tillysburn half a mile away serving Holywood Exchange, instead of Tillysburn providing the link to the airport.<ref>[http://www.pacni.gov.uk/areaplan/document.asp?docID=227&filetype=Objector Rail 21: New Railway Station at Tillysburn] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620014227/http://www.pacni.gov.uk/areaplan/document.asp?docID=227&filetype=Objector |date=20 June 2009 }}</ref>

There have also been calls,{{who|date=October 2021|reason=Who has been calling? Cite or delete}} as part of the wider upgrade of the rail route to Derry, for a railway station connecting to [[City of Derry Airport]], which is close to the railway line. However, the Government has determined that the number of passengers using the airport is not sufficient to justify a station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ni/?id=2008-10-13.6.19 |title=Northern Ireland Assembly: Derry/Londonderry to Belfast Rail Service |publisher=Theyworkforyou.com |date=13 October 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022005120/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ni/?id=2008-10-13.6.19 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Rolling stock ===
Although the introduction of the [[NIR 3000 Class|Class 3000]] trains was a success, they were a like-for-like replacement for the Class 80 units rather than an expansion of the fleet. Due to the limited number of new units, some of NIR's older rolling stock was retained, notably the entire [[NIR Class 450|Class 450]] on the [[Belfast-Larne railway line|Belfast-Larne]] route.  To enable NIR to maintain its levels of service, it upgraded some of its older rolling stock. In 2005, the Class 450 fleet was refurbished to a standard close to that of the Class 3000 units, which saw them through to their withdrawal in 2012. Three four-car Class 80 units were refurbished and a number of locomotives and coaches were converted to push-pull operation with the addition of the DBSO obtained from [[National Express East Anglia|'one']], to ensure that passenger rolling stock levels were maintained up to the introduction of new rolling stock in 2011 and 2012.<ref name="NIR News 164">{{cite web |url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20164/164%20News%20NIR.htm |title=NIR News 164 |publisher=Irrs.ie |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208083858/http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20164/164%20News%20NIR.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

One of the major projects instigated by Translink was "New Trains Two" (formerly "New Trains 2010"), which saw the purchase of a new batch of rolling stock. At minimum, this was to be like-for-like replacement of the [[NIR 450 Class|Class 450]] trains, which were withdrawn in 2012. However, it was determined that to deliver improved frequency of service on the network the size of NIR's fleet had to be increased, and with that must come associated infrastructure improvements.<ref name="Core Programme: Better Rail Services" /> The announcement of the investment programme confirmed "New Trains 2010", which procured 20 new trains to both replace the remaining [[NIR Class 80|Class 80]] and Class 450 units and provide additional capacity.<ref name="Draft Budget">{{cite web |url=http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news-drd-251007-regional-development-minister |title=Regional Development Minister welcomes draft Budget allocations |publisher=Northernireland.gov.uk |date=25 October 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520114317/http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news-drd-251007-regional-development-minister |archive-date=20 May 2011 }}</ref> The specification given by the DRD stated that the new trains are to provide both inner and outer suburban commuter services and express services between Belfast and Dublin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20165/165%20News%20NIR.htm |title=NIR News 165 |publisher=Irrs.ie |date=31 March 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208083916/http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20165/165%20News%20NIR.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[NIR Class 4000|Class 4000]] fleet entered service on Thursday 29 September 2011.<ref name="New Trains">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7230078.stm |title=Railway line to get new trains |publisher=BBC News |date=6 February 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=9 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209113730/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7230078.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Twenty three-car units have been specified with an option to purchase an additional 20 vehicles, allowing the units to be lengthened to six cars.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.publictenders.net/tender/575725 |title=Tender Details for NIR Class 4000 |publisher=publictenders.net |access-date=4 April 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421162024/https://www.publictenders.net/tender/575725 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, following the procurement of 21 additional vehicles purchased to extend a number of its Class 4000 units to six-cars, Translink published a new strategy indicating its intention to provide a zero emission service by 2040. As part of this, NI Railways will begin a process to purchase new rolling stock from 2026 to 2027. The intention is to procure or part procure two fleets - a total of 15 three-car units planned to be either bi-mode or tri-mode for NI Railways' own domestic services, and a fleet of 9 eight-car sets for use by Enterprise, the business case for which will be based on zero- or low-carbon technologies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/ni-railways-targets-zero-emissions-by-2040/59056.article |title=NI Railways targets zero emissions by 2040 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=6 May 2021 |website=Rail Business UK |publisher=Railway Gazette |access-date=14 May 2021 |quote= |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514143017/https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/ni-railways-targets-zero-emissions-by-2040/59056.article |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://railcolornews.com/2021/04/08/uk-caf-to-supply-additonal-cars-for-translinks-class-4000-dmus/ |title=CAF's {{sic|addit|onal|nolink=y}} cars for Translink Class 4000 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=8 April 2021 |website=Rail Color News |publisher= |access-date=14 May 2021 |quote= |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514143015/https://railcolornews.com/2021/04/08/uk-caf-to-supply-additonal-cars-for-translinks-class-4000-dmus/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Rail transport in Ireland]]
* [[History of rail transport in Ireland]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikivoyage|rail travel in Ireland}}
* {{commons category-inline|Northern Ireland Railways}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Railway stations served by NI Railways}}
{{Translink (Northern Ireland)}}
{{Irish train operators}}
{{UK TOCs|current|state=collapsed}}
{{National railway companies of Europe}}
{{Rail transport in Europe}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Passenger rail transport in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Train operating companies in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Economy of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Railway companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Government-owned railway companies]]
[[Category:British brands]]