Iarnród Éireann Orders €23M Wagons From UK’s W.H. Davis

Iarnród Éireann invests €23 million in 68 new infrastructure maintenance wagons from W.H. Davis, boosting capacity by 33% and modernizing Ireland’s rail network.

January 26, 2026 12:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Iarnród Éireann has ordered 68 infrastructure maintenance wagons from UK-based W.H. Davis in a deal valued at €23 million.
The new wagons will feature a 60-ton load capacity, a 33% increase over the 50-year-old fleet they are replacing.
This investment is part of a wider trend of modernizing Ireland’s critical infrastructure, replacing end-of-life assets to boost network maintenance efficiency and reliability.

DUBLIN/LONDON – Irish national operator Iarnród Éireann has awarded a €23 million contract to British manufacturer W.H. Davis for 68 new infrastructure maintenance wagons. The units, to be built at the firm’s plant in Nottinghamshire, UK, are scheduled for delivery starting in summer 2027. They will replace a domestic-built fleet that has been in service for over five decades.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project / Model	Infrastructure Maintenance Wagons
Value / Budget	€23 million
Key Stakeholders	Iarnród Éireann (Buyer), W.H. Davis (Manufacturer)
Fleet Size	68 units
Load Capacity	Approx. 60 tons (33% increase)
Service Entry Date	End of Summer 2027 (projected)

Operational & Technical Details

The new wagons are designed to transport heavy materials like rails, sleepers, and track panels across Iarnród Éireann’s 2,400 km network. Each wagon has a design weight of 18–20 tons and a load capacity of approximately 60 tons. This represents a significant 33% capacity improvement over the current LX and LP freight wagons. The existing fleet, built at the Inchicore Workshops in Dublin, is now over 50 years old and considered life-expired. This procurement falls under a framework agreement that previously saw an order for 150 intermodal freight wagons from W.H. Davis in April of last year.

Market Impact Analysis

This contract solidifies W.H. Davis’s role as a key supplier of specialized rolling stock to European operators. For Iarnród Éireann, the investment is a critical component of its network modernization program, directly addressing the urgent need to replace aging assets. The deal aligns with a broader strategic push to upgrade Ireland’s infrastructure, a market trend attracting increased activity from international engineering and service firms. By replacing an obsolete domestic fleet with higher-capacity, externally sourced wagons, Iarnród Éireann aims to guarantee the long-term efficiency and safety of its track maintenance programs for decades.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main value of this contract?

The contract for 68 wagons is valued at an estimated EUR 23 million.

When is the expected completion date?

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in summer 2027. The wagons are expected to enter service by the end of summer 2027 following a period of testing and commissioning.