Iarnród Éireann will introduce a revised Autumn timetable for DART and Dublin Commuter services from Monday 22nd September to Sunday 14th December 2025, to reflect the impact of seasonal leaf fall on rail services.
While it is the first time an Autum timetable has been implemented on Ireland’s rail network, Iarnród Éireann will join railways in Britain, Netherlands, Germany, USA and Canada amongst others in implementing such a measure.
Changes will be made to morning and evening peak services on DART and Dublin Commuter routes and will see journey times extended by an average of 3 minutes at these times. Customers are particularly asked to note earlier departure times on morning services.
Why the change?
Autumn leaf fall causes low rail adhesion, with leaves – especially in damp and wet autumnal conditions – creating a greasy layer on the rail that is the equivalent of black ice on roads. To ensure safety, train drivers must drive more cautiously and accelerate and decelerate more slowly at times when rails are affected.
The revised timetable will therefore reflect the restrictive nature of service operation during this challenging time of the year for train services.
What’s changing?
- Morning services will be slightly in the advanced in the morning with the aim to achieve scheduled arrival times at destination.
- Evening services will depart as scheduled from origin with additional time added towards destination
- Journey times are extended primarily between 1-3 minutes For more information please visit irishrail.ie and please check your times before travelling.
How Iarnród Éireann is tackling low rail adhesion
To reduce the impact of leaf fall, Iarnród Éireann uses a range of technologies and maintenance strategies:
- Vegetation Management: Drones help identify high-risk trees, with trimming carried out in line with biodiversity guidelines.
- Specialised Water-Jetting and Gel Application Machine: A specialised vehicle cleans fallen leaves and contamination by cleaning the track with a high powered water jet at the front of the train and then applying a special ‘gel’ substance to the rail. The specially formulated gel consists of sand, antifreeze and steel shot that improves adhesion between train wheels and the track.
- Traction Gel Applicators (TGAs): 127 solar powered TGAs are installed across the network in known LRA hotspots. When a train passes over the unit, it dispenses traction gel which improves the grip between the wheel and rail interface. Five new TGAs have been commissioned for the 2025 season at Woodbrook, Glenageary, Kilcoole & Ballyhale.
- Manual Gel & LeafGuard: Trained staff use handheld gel applicators and rail scrubbers at key junctions for rapid response. Increased use of LeafGuard, a biodegradable cleaner, has shown up to 70% improvement in traction at test sites, with further trials underway in Limerick Junction and Athlone.
- Onboard Sanding Systems: All Iarnród Éireann trains are equipped to dispense sand automatically or manually when wheel slip is detected.
- Data Monitoring: A dedicated team of people continuously work on ways of tackling the issues LRA present. Continuous monitoring and recording forms the basis of a valuable database to allow Iarnród Éireann focus on specific LRA contributory elements, such as known hotspots. Weather and Leaf fall rates are also captured
Additional information
For further information, please visit irishrail.ie.