NIR Class 3000

Northern Ireland Railways Class 3000 "C3K"
3005 stands at Belfast Central
Manufacturer	CAF
Family name	CxK
Entered service	2004–2005
Number built	23 sets
Formation	3-car sets
Fleet numbers	3001–3023
Capacity	201 seated, 280 standing passengers
Operator(s)	NI Railways
Specifications
Maximum speed	90 mph (145 km/h)
Prime mover(s)	MAN D2876 LUH03
Safety system(s)	AWS, TPWS, CAWS (3001-3006)
Track gauge	1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)

The Class 3000 (C3K class) is a class of diesel multiple unit in service with NI Railways.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the majority of rail services in Northern Ireland continued to be operated using Class 80 DEMUs, which had been in service since the mid-1970s, and were becoming increasingly harder to maintain. NIR had not procured new rolling stock since 1994, when, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, it purchased locomotives and coaches for the Enterprise service.

As part of a major investment programme in the railways in Northern Ireland, NIR placed an order totalling £80 million, the largest single investment in rolling stock ever made by NIR, with CAF for twenty-three 3-car DMUs in 2002.

The new trains entered service in 2005 and 2006, gradually replacing most of the existing Class 80 units on the network (the main exception being services between Belfast and Larne, which were still provided by the Class 450 DMUs). The trains are capable of speeds of up to 145 km/h (90 mph), seat 201 (including 15 on tip-up seats) and have standing room for 280 passengers crush laden. The sets are numbered 3001-3023. All vehicles are powered. The individual cars are 3301 to 3323, 3501 to 3523 and 3401 to 3423. The end vehicles on each unit have cabs. 3001 is formed 3301-3501-3401 up to 3023 being formed 3323-3523-3423.

The first six units (3001-3006) were built fitted with CAWS and communication equipment compatible with the rail network in the Republic of Ireland. This enables these units to be used as required on cross-border services.

Phase 1 of the refurbishment programme was begun during the financial year 2009/10 and will cost an estimated £1.2 million. The trains are approximately 5–6 years old. By the time this is completed, the 20 new Class 4000 units should be starting to come into service. The refurbishment involves re-livering the trains in the refreshed corporate branding.