Trams Make A Comeback

Red Cow Depot on Luas Line A
Courtesy of The Railway Procurement Agency

South County Dublin would remain without trams for the rest of the century. Changes were however in progress, in April 1994 the report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative was published. This recommended the building of a three-line light rail transit system linking Tallaght, Ballymun and Cabinteely to the City Centre.

In July 1996 the Transport (Dublin Light Rail) Act was enacted. After a public inquiry and much discussion this was repealed and replaced by the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001. LUAS was born.

Work has now commenced on both the Sandyford and Tallaght lines. A remarkable feature of the Tallaght line is that the section from Rialto to James Street runs on the bed of the original Grand Canal. A classic example of recycling.

LUAS tram approaches the Kingswood stop during testing
taken by Kieran Swords

The gauge of the track is 1435 mm, the standard European gauge. The CITADIS trams were manufactured by ALSOM S.A. of France. Contracts have been signed for a total of forty units. Delivery has already commenced and some trams are running on the Cookstown section to allow driver training. Each tram is 30 m long and can carry up to 235 passengers. They will be powered by electricity from overhead wires at 750V DC. The maximum speed will be 70 km/h. Services are due to commence in 2004, and at the moment work is on schedule. So within the year 2004, you will once more be able to travel on a South County Dublin Tram.