CIE 8100 CLASS

The CIE 8100 class were the first electrical multiple units used on the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. Built by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany in 1983/84, they are two-car units, and were the only units used on the DART prior to the arrival of the 8200 Class. 40 two car sets were delivered, numbered 8101/8301 to 8140/8340. 81xx units are power cars while 83xx units are unpowered driving trailers. The driving cabs are full width, though the inner ends are gangwayed.
The original seating layout consisted of 72 seats per coach with 16 tip up seats at the doors, giving 176 seats in total. With increasing passenger numbers and the heavy spring in the tip up seats becoming a possible source of injury, the tip seats where removed in the late 1980s. As a result of ever continuing passenger demand in the late 1990s extra standing room was provided through the removal of 16 seats from the 83xx unpowered driving trailers, reducing seating capacity to 56 giving a 2 car unit a total of 128 seats.
A number of these units have been refurbished by Siemens, delivered back to IÉ in 2007. The refurbishment involved the installation of modified marker lights, removal of some seats to add more standing space and installation of an electronic passenger information system. It was also supposedly intended to allow the units to operate in 8-car sets, the original units being limited to six cars, but some unmodified LHB sets have operated in 8-car consists during 2007.
As with other DART units, they are maintained at Fairview depot, as well as being stabled at Bray. 8110/8310 and 8136/8336 were withdrawn after suffering serious damage in a fire at Fairview depot in July 2001. Some others are currently under refurbishment.

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External links

External links

★ Irish Rail Fleet Information webpage