This is routine, in service the DART (and most modern trains) suffers from flat wheels where the wheel skids due to the powerful brakes leaving a flat patch. Drogheda has an extremely efficient computer controlled wheel lathe to re-profile the wheels. An out of service 29k series railcar heading from Dublin to Drogheda stops off at Fairview and collects the DART.
Its the cheapest and quickest way of doing this. A new DART depot is to be built on the Maynooth line when it is electrified and it will have a wheel lathe.
Northern Ireland Railways send trains to Dublin for repair if they can't handle it or if it is quicker get the work done by Irish Rail.
Obviously we all want an actual DART to Drogheda and Irish Rail have gone on record as saying they want it, problem is at Government level who say no (even in the time of plenty)
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