NIR MPV
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Train
| background = #0000FF;color:white
| name = NI Railways Multi-Purpose Vehicle
| image = NIR MPV, Adelaide.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| caption =
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| service = 2016–present
| manufacturer = Windhoff
| factory =
| family = CargoSprinter
| numberbuilt = 1
| refurbishment =
| replaced = NIR Class 80
| formation = 1 cars
| fleetnumbers = 99 70 9428 011-9 (UIC)
11 (NIR)
| operator = NI Railways
| depots =
| lines =
| yearconstruction = 2016
| yearservice = 2017
| yearscrapped =
| numberconstruction =
| numberservice = 1
| numberscrapped =
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| maxspeed = {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
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| traction =
| engine = MTU
| transmission =
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| poweroutput =
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1600mm|allk=on}}
| electricsystem =
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}}
The Multi-purpose vehicle is a purpose built departmental derivative of a diesel multiple unit constructed for use as a rail adhesion vehicle by NI Railways in Northern Ireland.
History
The vehicle was built by Windhoff in Germany, and is based on the Windhoff CargoSprinter unit, similar to the vehicles used by Network Rail on the British network. The double ended vehicle is designed primarily to apply sandite and use high pressure water jets on the rail to improve adhesion. However, the design is modular, allowing the swapping of equipment to undertake other work, including weed spraying and tree surgery. The MPV has been built to pull wagons as required.{{cite web |url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal187/187NewsNIR.htm |title=News NIR |author= |date=4 January 2016 |website=Irish Railway Record Society Journal |publisher=irrs.ie |access-date=28 January 2017 }}
The vehicle was delivered in October 2016 and undertook gauging trials prior to its entry into service.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbqhkMoBUdM |title=NIR GM 111 Class (8)111 - Windhoff Multi Purpose Vehicle Transfer - City Hospital Halt, Belfast |author= |date=5 November 2016 |website=YouTube |access-date=28 January 2017 }} This coincided with the final use of NI Railway's 80 Class sandite train during the leaf fall season in 2016.{{cite journal |last=Playfair |first=Chris |date=February 2017 |title=Sandite Finale |journal=Rail Express |issue=249 |pages=97 }} The vehicle received the UIC identification number 99 70 9428 011-9, while it was numbered as 11 by NIR.{{cite web |url=http://www.ontrackplant.com/otp/ni-7011 |title=NI 11 |author= |website=ontrackplant.com |access-date=28 January 2017 }}
Gallery
File:NIR MPV no. 11.jpg|alt=The NIR MPV passes through Marino station during the 2021 leaf fall season.|MPV passing through Marino station
File:NIR MPV no. 11 at Ballymena.jpg|alt=The NIR MPV parked up at Ballymena Permanent Way sidings during the spring of 2022.|The MPV parked at Ballymena sidings