irish indo:The train now arriving is first for 100 years

[Colm Donoghue]

THE first train has arrived at Dublin's newest railway station.

The 'test train', right, arrived at the Docklands station yesterday to test track gauge and platform clearance, but in just three months, the station will be officially opened.

The first city centre station built in over 100 years and at a cost of €26m, Iarnrod Eireann said it will be fully operational by March 12, three months ahead of schedule. It will deliver a "dramatic increase" in peak frequency from west Dublin suburbs such as Clonsilla and Castleknock, as well as developing areas such as Ashtown and the proposed Phoenix Park Station.

Most of the main building work is already completed. Signalling and final fit-out will begin in the New Year.

It will handle 2,500 commuters daily on opening, with potential to cater for up to 10,000 more.