Estonian passenger transport operator Elektriraudtee AS and Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Bussnang AG celebrated the official roll-in of the first electric and diesel FLIRT trains to Estonia today. The roll in ceremony took place in the depot of the railway company in Tallinn, where Mr. Juhan Parts, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, Ms. Kaida Kauler, Chairman of Elektriraudtee, and Mr. Peter Jenelten, Executive Vice President of Stadler Rail Group presented the first vehicles to the public. The delivery of the trains is part of the tender that Elektriraudtee closed successfully in 2010, within the frames of which Stadler will hand over 18 electric and 20 diesel multiple units to Elektriraudtee until the summer of 2014.
“This two trains are the first ones of our park, which would allow Elektriraudtee to make travelling by train a backbone of the Estonian public transportation system,” Chairman of Elektriraudtee Kaida Kauler said.
“It is a very unique opportunity for a railway producer to take part in the renewal of the whole train fleet of a railway operator. We are very proud to be part of it, and we very happily present today the first trains to the public. The FLIRT is Stadler’s bestseller train, which due to this contract will be available now in diesel type too”, added Peter Jelenten, Executive Vice President of Stadler Rail Group.
Elektriraudtee issued the public procurement back in 2009 separately for the purchase of 18 electric (EMU) and 20 diesel (DMU) multiple units. The procurement ended successfully with the victory of Stadler, the contracts were signed in August 2010. The value of the contract for the purchase of electric trains is around EUR 80 m, out of which 85% is financed from the cohesion fund of the European Union. The purchase of diesel units trains is valued at EUR 96 m, and is financed by a capital lease. According to the terms of the agreement, the Swiss producer will have to hand over the first train for operations by June 2013, by which time the train will also have to receive the homologation that is required to enter commercial service. In order to obtain this, the trains are to be tested by the Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority, in cooperation with Elektriraudtee and Stadler.
Elektriraudtee plans to launch regular service with passengers on 28 June 2013, right after the final homologation of the vehicles. The last EMU is expected to be handed over by January, while the last DMU by June 2014. Diesel passenger service operations will be launched on the 1st of January 2014.
Elektriraudtee ordered altogether 12 three-car and 6 four-car EMUs, as well as 6 two-car, 8 three-car and 6 four-car DMUs from Stadler. The broad gauge (1520 mm) trains have been designed and manufactured to easily endure the harsh weather conditions typical in Estonia, which expertise Stadler gained through its earlier deliveries to Finland and Norway.
Due to the lightweight aluminium structure and the modern energy saving system, the new trains will also mean a great cost-saving for the operator Elektriraudtee. The vehicles will be able to transform the accumulated energy deriving from braking, and recuperate it back to the electricity network through the overhead cables. The electric trains will have a top speed of 160 km/h, coupled with an accelerating ability of 1.2 m/s2, which is a remarkable value in this train segment. The diesel trains will also have outstanding accelerating abilities with a top speed of 160 km/h as well. The high top speed and the admirable accelerating make the drivers capable to catch up even significant leeways between two stops.
The driver’s cabin received an ergonomic and modern design, which significantly improves the current working conditions of the drivers, and thanks to modern control system, the safe control of the trains is possible with a staff of only one person. The passengers will also observe a great improvement in comfort, as all trains will be equipped with a state-of-the art information system, air-condition, free wireless internet, power plugs for the charging of notebooks or cell phones, video surveillance and multipurpose areas appropriate for the transport of wheelchairs, baby trolleys or bicycles. Free and fast passenger flow will be secured by the wide doors available on each side.
Press Release of Stadler, 13 december 2012.
Image courtesy of Luca Fascia “(C) riproduzione vietata/all rights reserved”
