Quadruple track for Ireland, Dublin Connolly to Malahide

[Snow1964]

Just announced in Ireland, 4 tracking and some turnbacks

A major rail infrastructure programme expected to cost hundreds of millions of euro has been announced by Iarnród Éireann.

The busiest rail corridor in Ireland, between Dublin Connolly and Malahide, will now be increased from two tracks to four tracks.

The route has long been identified as a significant bottleneck causing delays that can spread across the wider rail network during peak travel periods.

The FourNorth project's aim is to increase capacity and enable more trains to operate on the route and improve timetable performance.

It is hoped the updated network is expected to deliver more frequent services and stronger connections between North Dublin, Meath, Louth and Belfast.

The project is jointly funded by the Department of Transport and the Eu's Connecting Europe Facility Transport programme.

The exact route for the project will be outlined after a public consultation due to take place later this year.

Iarnród Éireann said it will give communities, passengers, businesses and local authorities the opportunity to help shape the emerging design.

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine said: "FourNorth is about more than new tracks.

"It is about building a resilient, high-capacity rail corridor that supports everyday journeys, strengthens regional connections and helps deliver a sustainable transport future for Ireland - making space today for the needs of tomorrow."

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: "This Government is already making investments in the Northern Line to help ease rail congestion.

"Passing loops and turnback facilities are to be delivered at Mosney, Skerries, Malahide and Clongriffin in the next few years, supported by funding from the EU and the Shared Island Fund," he said.

"These investments will improve journey times and reliability for Enterprise and DART passengers," he added.

Major expansion for Ireland's busiest rail corridor

A major rail infrastructure programme expected to cost hundreds of millions of euro has been announced by Iarnród Éireann.

www.rte.ie

 

[AlastairFraser]

Just announced in Ireland, 4 tracking and some turnbacks

Major expansion for Ireland's busiest rail corridor

A major rail infrastructure programme expected to cost hundreds of millions of euro has been announced by Iarnród Éireann.

www.rte.ie

Perhaps this involves a tunnel from near Fairview depot to north of Malahide?

 

[berneyarms]

Perhaps this involves a tunnel from near Fairview depot to north of Malahide?

It does not.
It is four tracking the existing railway.

 

[yorksrob]

Ireland has the funds - sounds like an excellent project to spend some of them on.

 

[Cowley]

Was any of this stretch four tracks in the past?

 

[Gloster]

Was any of this stretch four tracks in the past?

No, with the exception of the lines alongside Fairview Sheds it was always double once you get across the Royal Canal. I suspect that that there are going to be a lot of vertical retaining walls to prevent too much encroachment on adjacent properties.

 

[Cowley]

No, with the exception of the lines alongside Fairview Sheds it was always double once you get across the Royal Canal. I suspect that that there are going to be a lot of vertical retaining walls to prevent too much encroachment on adjacent properties.

Thanks @Gloster. I’ll have a look at the area when I get time later.

 

[AlastairFraser]

It does not.
It is four tracking the existing railway.

Interesting. A lot of compulsory purchase in wealthy parts of Dublin and Fingal then?

 

[berneyarms]

Interesting. A lot of compulsory purchase in wealthy parts of Dublin and Fingal then?

We shall have to see - the details have yet to be published.

I wouldn’t exaggerate the wealth of the areas either - some of them are quite deprived.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jul 2026 ==

Some high level information on FourNorth is now on the Irish Rail website.

FourNorth Project

Iarnród Éireann is progressing FourNorth, a major rail infrastructure project on the Northern Line between Dublin Connolly and Malahide, the busiest and one of the most critical sections of Ireland's rail network.

www.irishrail.ie

 

[FormerBritInMe]

As part of this project would they add any flying junctions such as for the line that goes via Drumcondra, especially since the latter will likely see more service under DART+

 

[zwk500]

As part of this project would they add any flying junctions such as for the line that goes via Drumcondra, especially since the latter will likely see more service under DART+

Unlikely, given the limitations the geometry imposes on what you can reasonably do there.

 

[stuu]

It does not.
It is four tracking the existing railway.

It isn't, it's adding an extra pair of tracks between two points. Tunnelling is almost certainly going to be considered. Lots of the route looks extremely tight to fit more tracks on the surface, let alone the space to build them next to a working railway

 

[berneyarms]

It isn't, it's adding an extra pair of tracks between two points. Tunnelling is almost certainly going to be considered. Lots of the route looks extremely tight to fit more tracks on the surface, let alone the space to build them next to a working railway

While tunnelling would be considered, it is highly unlikely that tunnelling will be the preferred option given the massive cost involved. Four tracking the existing railway, even with CPO, would be much cheaper.

 

[AlastairFraser]

We shall have to see - the details have yet to be published.

I wouldn’t exaggerate the wealth of the areas either - some of them are quite deprived.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jul 2026 ==

Some high level information on FourNorth is now on the Irish Rail website.

FourNorth Project

Iarnród Éireann is progressing FourNorth, a major rail infrastructure project on the Northern Line between Dublin Connolly and Malahide, the busiest and one of the most critical sections of Ireland's rail network.

www.irishrail.ie

Fair enough

 

[59CosG95]

Looking on Google Maps, Clongriffin has the space either side of the island platforms for 4-tracking.
See screenshot below:

 

[zwk500]

Looking on Google Maps, Clongriffin has the space either side of the island platforms for 4-tracking.
See screenshot below:

Clongriffin is proposed to get a 4th platform as part of the separate DART+ programme.

The key infrastructural elements of the DART+ Coastal North Project include:

• Extension of existing 1500V DC electrification, which currently terminates at Malahide, as far as Drogheda MacBride Station (approximately 37km);
• Reconfiguration of the existing track layout and associated infrastructure in the vicinity of Drogheda MacBride, Malahide, Clongriffin and Howth Junction & Donaghmede Stations, as well as the provision of sections of additional track, station turnback facilities, and infrastructure that will enable the operation of both a DART shuttle service on the Howth Branch, at such time that future passenger demand warrants its use, and/or the continued operation of a direct through service to/from Dublin City Centre. All interventions are designed to allow for improved operational flexibility and maximised passenger capacity and DART frequency on both the Northern and Howth Branch Lines;
• Construction of a new platform at Drogheda MacBride Station;
• Significant upgrades to Howth Junction & Donaghmede Station now proposed to provide a more accessible, user friendly and customer focused station for all rail users
• Undertaking bridge improvements/modifications arising from capacity enhancements, track reconfigurations and/or electrical clearances to achieve necessary clearances;
• Modifications to existing depots at Drogheda and Fairview to support the new train fleet, including the provision of additional train stabling at Drogheda;
• Undertaking upgrades to existing signalling, telecoms and power supplies to support the planned increase in train services, including the introduction of new electrical substations at key locations alongside the railway line;

DART+ Coastal North

You can view the Railway Order applications on the project website which include drawings of the track layouts.

 

[berneyarms]

Clongriffin is proposed to get a 4th platform as part of the separate DART+ programme.

DART+ Coastal North

You can view the Railway Order applications on the project website which include drawings of the track layouts.

The Clongriffin loop is actually going to be progressed faster via funding from the Irish Government’s Shared Island fund, along with reinstating Mosney loop and some works at Skerries loop.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/almost-230-million-shared-island-funding-to-support-investment-in-all-island-rail/

 

[zwk500]

The Clongriffin loop is actually going to be progressed faster via funding from the Irish Government’s Shared Island fund, along with reinstating Mosney loop and some works at Skerries loop.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/almost-230-million-shared-island-funding-to-support-investment-in-all-island-rail/

The press release still says it's part of DART+ Coastal North, although arguably that's mostly semantics:

This funding will allow the acceleration of the delivery of elements of DART+ Coastal North, by providing signalling upgrades and turnback facility at Malahide station and a track loop at Clongriffin station. These investments will help alleviate congestion on the busy Northern Commuter Rail line enabling Enterprise trains to seamlessly pass stationed DART and commuter trains, helping to improve the efficiency and reliability of the service, and supporting the operation of the new Battery-electric DART fleet when it enters service on the line from Dublin to Drogheda next year.

But thanks for the press release - hadn't noticed those changes had gone public.

 

[D6130]

Maybe pedantic, but I think it's important to use the correct spelling of Connolly.

 

[berneyarms]

The press release still says it's part of DART+ Coastal North, although arguably that's mostly semantics:


But thanks for the press release - hadn't noticed those changes had gone public.

The point that I was making was that it is now being funded from the Shared Island fund as opposed to the DART+ funding pot - DART+ Coastal North is not funded currently and as such work won’t be happening on it until the next five year capital spending plan.

This change means that those particular aspects of the scheme will be accelerated into the current government investment programme.

 

[dubscottie]

Another pie in the sky from the NTA.
Not going to happen.
I work that line and the geography makes it almost impossible.
Original plan was for a bi directional third track.

 

[Austriantrain]

I work that line and the geography makes it almost impossible.

You don't need the space to be there already to quadruple. You just need to spend more (either to tunnel or to do compulsory purchases). In any case, Ireland has the money, so it is a question of political will.

 

[berneyarms]

Another pie in the sky from the NTA.
Not going to happen.
I work that line and the geography makes it almost impossible.
Original plan was for a bi directional third track.

This isn’t an NTA project - it is an Irish Rail project.

Perhaps let’s wait and see what the detailed plans are first.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Aug 2026 ==

You don't need the space to be there already to quadruple. You just need to spend more (either to tunnel or to do compulsory purchases). In any case, Ireland has the money, so it is a question of political will.

Precisely.

 

[dubscottie]

This isn’t an NTA project - it is an Irish Rail project.

Perhaps let’s wait and see what the detailed plans are first.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Aug 2026 ==


Precisely.

Oh its the NTA. They run Irishrail. You can chuck an Irishrail logo on it, but its the NTA that really runs the show now.

You need NTA approval and 20 pages of paperwork just to buy a €10 toaster for a staff canteen.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Aug 2026 ==

Raheny, space for passing loops on the up and down lines easy. Harmonstown.. no chance.
Howth Jnt, no chance.
Legal minefield of court cases over CPOs etc will never make it happen.

 

[berneyarms]

Oh its the NTA. They run Irishrail. You can chuck an Irishrail logo on it, but its the NTA that really runs the show now.

You need NTA approval and 20 pages of paperwork just to buy a €10 toaster for a staff canteen.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Aug 2026 ==

Raheny, space for passing loops on the up and down lines easy. Harmonstown.. no chance.
Howth Jnt, no chance.
Legal minefield of court cases over CPOs etc will never make it happen.

With due respect it is not an NTA project - they didn’t fund it.

If you did some basic research you’d realise that Irish Rail have taken the lead on this - this was very much Jim Meade’s project.

The feasibilty study has been funded by the EU and the Department of Transport directly to Irish Rail bypassing the NTA.

We don’t have sight of that report yet - it’s going to be published in the autumn with the emerging preferred route going to public consultation.

It’s inevitable that there is going to be CPO required to deliver it, especially beyond Raheny, but we will have to wait and see what the scale of that is.

If this is designated in due course as a critical infrastructure project by the government, then some of the legal avenues of objection will be reduced.

 

[dubscottie]

Basic research? I work with the company.
As I said.. nothing Irishrail does now is independent with the exception of the Enterprise.
The NTA/TFI run absolutely everything.

 

[berneyarms]

Basic research? I work with the company.
As I said.. nothing Irishrail does now is independent with the exception of the Enterprise.
The NTA/TFI run absolutely everything.

You might well be an employee but working at the coal face doesn’t mean you’re going to be privy to how projects are being funded.

If you had watched previous Oireachtas Transport Committee hearings as I have done, you’d know that what I am posting is correct. It was made clear at one of them by the then CEO Jim Meade that this was an Irish Rail project and not the NTA.

He made clear that the main premise of the project is to speed up the Enterprise and to facilitate freight, neither of which are funded nor scheduled by the NTA but rather directly by the Department of Transport and the Department of An Taoiseach.

The NTA are behind DART+ Coastal North and that’s it. They have no interest in the Enterprise.

Unless of course you're suggesting that Jim Meade was lying to an Oireachtas Committee, which would be an offence?

 

[Dr Day]

the main premise of the project is to speed up the Enterprise and to facilitate freight

Interesting. Must admit I wouldn’t have thought the potential benefits to these markets would be likely to be sufficient to justify the potential cost.

Is there a significant suppressed rail freight demand along this corridor?

And the Enterprise doesn’t seem that slow.

But both are politically important.

 

[berneyarms]

Interesting. Must admit I wouldn’t have thought the potential benefits to these markets would be likely to be sufficient to justify the potential cost.

Is there a significant suppressed rail freight demand along this corridor?

And the Enterprise doesn’t seem that slow.

But both are politically important.

The Enterprise is slowed down significantly by having to trundle along behind DART services between Malahide and Connolly.

The only freight (which is currently suspended due to works in Dublin Port) is zinc traffic to/from Tara Mines.

There is of course a side benefit that would accrue in that the railway company could then continue to have separate outer suburban DART services from the inner.

The NTA under DART+ Coastal North want all DART services calling at all stations (be they going to Drogheda or Malahide), which frankly would be a nightmare for people living out in the likes of Skerries and Balbriggan.

 

[ShadowKnight]

With these schemes is there even opportunities or potential flows for an expansion of Irish freight?