Enterprise marks 75 years connecting Dublin and Belfast

11 August 2022

Exhibits on display at Dublin's Connolly Station and Belfast Lanyon Place marking service and social history of Enterprise

The Enterprise train service has a rich history and to celebrate 75 years of the service’s existence Iarnród Éireann and Translink NI Railways have compiled an exhibition of photographs of the train, its customers and staff through the years. The exhibit is now on display at Connolly Station and Lanyon Place. 

At 10.30am on 11^th August 1947, the inaugural Enterprise train service travelled from Belfast to Dublin a seven-carriage steam train operated by the Great Northern Railway (Ireland). 

Its 1^st year in service consisted of one train in each direction with Its launch heralding a new era in cross-border rail travel connecting the two cities. Today, 75 years later, Enterprise passenger demand is on course to reach an all-time high with 16 departures daily (8 in either direction). 

From an operational perspective, there have been many milestones over the decades like diesel railcars replacing steam locomotives to major refurbishments and railway upgrades. But the Enterprise story has also been impacted by the wider historical context like The Troubles and the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement.   

Now operated by Iarnród Éireann and Translink NI Railways, the Enterprise Strategic Development Plan outlines ambitions for the development of the service from procurement of new fleet and line electrification to journey time improvement options.  

Marking the 75^th Anniversary of Enterprise, Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade, said:  "The Enterprise service has a rich and evocative history. I am certain that our customers will very much enjoy the exhibition that is now on display at Lanyon Place and Connolly. The Enterprise train is a key economic and social connector for the people of Dublin, Belfast and the stations in between and we look forward to another 75 years of its successful operation.” 

Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said: “Today we celebrate the service, our staff and customers over the decades. Whatever your reason for travel, Enterprise has been there to connect us to family, friends and opportunity.  

“Enterprise has successfully evolved with the times, better connecting Belfast and Dublin and showing great resilience, strength and endeavor along the way. Thank you to everyone who has shaped the Enterprise journey and we look forward to delivering our ambitious plans to secure the future of our flagship cross-border rail service.”