Irish Rail to Invest €44M in New Freight Wagon Fleet

Irish Rail has ordered 150 modern freight wagons from UK-based company WH Davis for €44 million, with deliveries set to begin next year. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The contract includes an option for an additional 250 wagons, which Irish Rail may exercise over the next ten years if fleet expansion becomes necessary.

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Irish Rail Expands Its Freight Fleet with New Wagons

The new wagons will offer a load capacity of 62 to 65 tonnes. Tare weight will range between 17 and 20 tonnes, improving the cargo-to-weight ratio.

In addition, the wagons are designed for higher operating speeds. While current Irish Rail models are limited to 80 km/h, the new ones will reach up to 110 km/h.

This will improve transport efficiency, as trains will complete routes faster with less time loss—especially over long distances.

Irish Rail Focuses on Speed and Load Capacity

WH Davis will manufacture the wagons to meet modern safety and durability standards, ensuring reliability and lower maintenance costs.

The €44 million investment reflects Irish Rail’s strategic focus on upgrading its rolling stock and enhancing domestic logistics efficiency.

Partnering with a UK manufacturer will also accelerate the shift to modern technologies and strengthen integration with European supply chains.

Irish Rail sees this deal as part of a broader freight development program, as demand for rail transport continues to rise.

The new wagons, built with durable components, are designed for long-term operation with minimal downtime, increasing overall freight volumes without requiring infrastructure expansion.

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