This article has been updated 04/03/2025 with a photo of the tram before its move.
A piece of news which we didn’t pick on at the time involves a tram which was severely damaged during the Dublin riots in November 2023. Luas 5037 was seen in news stories across the world after it was set on fire during the riots and after full assessment it was decided to send it back to France for repairs.
The move took place around three months ago (November/December 2024), a full year after it was received the damage, and saw the tram split into two at Sandyford Depot and then wrapped in a protective covering. It was then driven on two low loaders to Rosslare where it was loaded onto a ferry to make a return trip to France.
5037 is being repaired by SAFRA who are a specialist in the reconditioning and heavy maintenance of urban passenger transport vehicles. They are based in Albi and have a previous track record of repairing Dublin’s trams with 3001 having previously been fixed by the company after it was involved in a collision with a truck, which was the very first international contract the firm had ever received (this was 2023).
Obviously impressed by the work, Luas choose the firm for repairs of 5037 with the tram now residing in France to allow the work to take place. During the riots the tram was set alight (the man accused of causing this is due to go to trial charged with six offences) which caused significant internal and external damage.
No timeline has been given for the tram to return to Ireland and an eventual re-entry into service.
5037 is seen here when still at Sandyford Depot with the damaged sections covered in tarpaulin. The tram would move around a month later. (Photograph by Greg Sargent, 31st October 2024)