Fearn enjoys the benefits of a vertically integrated railway as he steers Irish Rail

Former British Rail man Dick Fearn does not have to hope for a renationalisation of UK rail. As chief executive of Irish Rail, he relishes working in a vertically integrated system, which he says cuts out complexity. Rhodri Clark spoke to him about his future plans for the railway and expansion intended for Dublin Area Rapid Transit routes

Fearn has been with Irish Rail’s CEO since 2003, and he has introduced new trains, and closed the long gaps between trains to Dublin with increased frequency

Fearn has been with Irish Rail’s CEO since 2003, and he has introduced new trains, and closed the long gaps between trains to Dublin with increased frequency

The DART has seen rapid passenger growth and now there are ambitious plans to create a second DART route, tunnelling under central Dublin

The DART has seen rapid passenger growth and now there are ambitious plans to create a second DART route, tunnelling under central Dublin

Dick Fearn has come full circle in his career. British Rail was a homogenous entity when he joined it in 1973. He experienced at first hand sectorisation, shadow franchising, franchising, Railtrack’s rise and fall, and Network Rail’s formation.

Now he relishes working in a vertically integrated railway again. Irish Rail remains nationalised, without separation of train operation from infrastructure. Fearn moved from Network Rail to become Irish Rail’s chief operating officer...