Irish Rail has said it issued a tender seeking contractors to design and build the charging infrastructure required for the new battery-electric Dart+ trains to operate to Wicklow Station.The semi-State company said that subject to planning and funding approvals it expects construction to start in 2027 and services to begin operating from 2029.Mark Gleeson, a spokesperson for Rail Users Ireland, said: We welcome the progress on upgrading Wicklow station to support the battery Dart operation. This will be transformative, increasing service frequency from as little as six a day to hourlyThe fast-charging system is already in place at Drogheda train station, enabling Dart services to start operating on the Northern Line ahead of overhead electrification. Drogheda Dart services are expected to start next year, while Wicklow services are expected in 2029. In a statement today, Irish Rail said: The charging infrastructure forms part of the Wicklow Rail Capacity Enhancement Project, funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority, which will improve rail connectivity between Dublin City Centre and Wicklow Town.The design and build contract for the new infrastructure at Wicklow will include installation of a new substation to provide for fast charging, installation of an overhead charge system (OHLE) on platforms 1 and 2, and systems and engineering works to support the infrastructure.To support the operation of the battery-electric (BEMU) Darts, infrastructure is required to charge the Dart batteries on arrival at Wicklow Station. The BEMUs will utilise the existing overhead line equipment from Dublin to Greystones. The pantograph (connecting arm on Dart) will then be lowered, and the Dart will run on battery power between Greystones and Wicklow, where they can be fully charged before their return journey, the company said.Irish Rail said: This next phase of expansion of the BEMU infrastructure to Wicklow Station follows the successful development of the charging infrastructure at Drogheda Station on the Northern Line. Infrastructure at Drogheda is currently being tested alongside the new fleet to be ready for use once the first Dart+ units enter service from 2027 onwards.IMAGE: A photo of inside the cab of a new Dart+ train with the railway and seafront in Wicklow Photoshopped into the window.