Denied daily access to the more comfortable, hi-tech C3K rolling stock introduced to the network in 2004, users were so incensed that a lobby group - the Larne Line Passenger Group - was formed to campaign for parity with commuters elsewhere in the province.

This week the group received the news it has longed for when Translink announced it has issued tender documents for 20 new trains. However, LLPG maintains the move is "long overdue" and has serious reservations about the capacity of the existing trains to cope in the meantime.

The transport company expects to receive expressions of interest from manufacturers all over Europe for the £100 million project. It would hope to sign contracts with the successful supplier next March, but it will take up to three years to design and build the trains and Translink reckons it will be 2011 before the first sets enter passenger service and it could be 2013 before the last one is finally commissioned.

The investment, sanctioned by the Assembly in its recent budget, will enable Translink to replace the nine ageing trains that are presently deployed on the Larne-Belfast route.

The new trains will also be deployed to improve frequency on other lines and reduce journey times on the Londonderry line.

"These new trains will provide a further boost for our customers, particularly those on the Larne line, and we are looking forward to delivery of the first train in 2011," said Translink executive Mal McGreevy, who said there has been a return on the investment in the newer trains already in service.

"We continue to move forwards in this project to ensure we deliver each milestone on time," he said. "Investment has clearly paid off as we continue to see more and more people use the train as the best option."

Mr McGreevy said customer comments gleaned in a passenger survey would help to shape the design of the new trains. "And of course," he added, "we have been able to build on our experience gained with the CAF Class 3000 trains."

LLPG responded to Monday's news saying, "This announcement is well overdue for the long-suffering Larne Line passengers, who still continue to endure the old rolling stock."

The group fears an influx of additional passengers - forced off the road by the likely Shore Road widening scheme - will heap further pressure on the vintage trains.

"The trains at rush hour are already very busy, in particular express services," LLPG explained.