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Stadler GTW | |
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Manufacturer | Stadler Rail AG |
Constructed | 1995–2017 |
Diagram | |
Specifications | |
Train length |
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Width |
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Doors | 4 |
Articulated sections | 3 |
Maximum speed | 115–140 km/h (71–87 mph) |
Weight |
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UIC classification |
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AAR wheel arrangement | 2-B-2 (GTW 2/6) |
Safety system(s) | EN 15227 |
Multiple working | up to four trains |
Track gauge |
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The Stadler GTW is an articulated railcar for local transport made by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. GTW stands for Gelenktriebwagen (articulated railcar).
The Biel–Täuffelen–Ins-Bahn near Bern, Switzerland was looking for a lighter train model to replace its aging fleet, so that a low-floor system does not require heavy installations on the roof. Based on that requirement Stadler came up with a concept of placing most of the equipment in a central unit between the seating cars. While the BTI-Bahn tracks are meter gauge, Stadler presented the first prototype in 1995 set on standard-gauge track, and the Mittelthurgau-Bahn tested three prototypes on its standard-gauge network during 1996. The rolling stock for Mittelthurgau was later expanded to ten GTW 2/6 units (built 1998–1999) that are now part of the THURBO fleet (the three prototypes were sold to Italy). The next lots were produced in meter gauge and were delivered to the BTI-Bahn and the CEV-Bahn (Chemins de fer électriques Veveysans) in 1997 –although the BTI-Bahn was first to order any GTWs with its seven trains, the CEV-Bahn ordered the biggest lot of the first generation with twenty trains.
In 1998 the Linzer Lokalbahn (Austria) placed an order which needed to be modified to conform to the DIN 5510 class 2 safety standard, as well as different electrification. These eight trains were delivered in 2000 from the Swiss facilities and an option of six more trains was fulfilled in 2005. Another modification was done for the River Line (New Jersey) with an order of twenty DMUs delivered in 2002 and 2003 from the Swiss facilities.
During that time the Hessische Landesbahn (HLB) in Germany was also looking at the new system but actual procurement was delayed until the second generation. In the beginning, Stadler was cooperating with ADtranz/DWA in Germany with the initial batch produced in 1999 at DWA Bautzen (Saxony). Its headshape design follows the style of the Deutsche Bahn trains as they were already on production at DWA, and eventually the DB Regio services also ordered a batch of 30 trains similar to the 30 trains ordered by the HLB, differing only in the height of the low-floor section. The full series were then manufactured at the new Stadler Pankow (Berlin) facilities being built in 2000 by a joint venture with ADtranz. Stadler acquired their shares in 2001 and the final vehicles were delivered from that plant in 2001 by Stadler alone.
The second generation can be easily distinguished by its round headshape made from FRP (glass-fiber–reinforced plastic). These follow the DB design being produced since 2000 for other customers as well, for example a batch of 12 trains went to Athens (Greece) in meter gauge (ordered in 1999, delivered since 2003). With the second generation the available options for GTW trains expanded –meter-gauge vehicles can be ordered in a 2.2 or 2.7 m (7 ft 2+5⁄8 in or 8 ft 10+1⁄4 in) width and the standard-gauge vehicles in a 3.0 or 3.1 m (9 ft 10+1⁄8 in or 10 ft 2 in) width. Also the GTW 2/6 may be expanded with an additional bogie car making it a GTW 2/8.
The third generation has minor modifications to the head shape but the more important changes were made to the power module –the electric variant now has 700 to 800 kW (940 to 1,070 hp) instead of up to 520 kW (700 hp ), and the diesel–electric variant is available as a DMU-2 with two generators instead of one. This allowed for increasing the maximum speed, which was a requirement of Italian customers; in Italy, this type is known as ATR 100. The Vinschgerbahn (Bolzano) was the first to order twelve DMU-2 sets in 2004, extended by eight vehicles of the same type for the Udine–Cividale line (Padova), also in 2004. The DMU-2 concept impressed the Arriva operator in the Netherlands which ordered 43 trains in 2005 asking for some further developments –the modified type sold well to other operators in the Netherlands and abroad, as both DMU and EMU variants.
The fourth generation came along with new regulations in the EU that increased the crashworthiness requirements (see EN 15227). Trains had to comply with these requirements by 2008 (see 2008/57/EC). This is the same year that much of the production was moved to the branch factory in Siedlce, Poland.
551 units have been sold until 2011 [1] and are in use in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States.
Because of the crashworthiness requirements, the GTW gained weight over time. In the concept of 1998 it had 483 kg (1,065 lb) per seat while in 2010 the base model 2/6 had increased to 660 kg (1,460 lb) per seat. This was higher than a FLIRT ET 22 in 2007, at 639 kg (1,409 lb) per seat. As a consequence, the manufacturer saw its biggest customers, Arriva and Connexxion, switch over to the FLIRT models for the following deliveries in 2012. Only some replacements for diesel–electric and cog-wheel trains followed after that point in time. For those application areas Stadler introduced the WINK concept (or Flirtino) in 2018. FLIRT and WINK are the next-generation models that can support updated crash worthiness requirements. Like Stadler's GTW family of multiple units, WINK has a central power module containing the energy generation, traction and auxiliary systems, while the frame and other parts are derived from the FLIRT models.
Stadler GTW is family of vehicles which differ externally, in the various designs of the head of the vehicle (from angular to streamlined), and also in the different designs and power units that drive them. They also come in different gauges and as rack railway vehicles. The basic version is the GTW 2/6, a railcar which conforms to UIC standards. "2/6" means "two of six axles are powered". The GTW 2/6 is used for example by Deutsche Bahn as Baureihe 646 (Series 646) and by Swiss railways as RABe 526.
The basic concept is rather unconventional: the car is driven by a central "power module", also known as a "powerpack" or a "drive container", powered on both axles. Two light end modules, each with a bogie, rest on the power module, which produces useful traction weight on the driving axles. The end modules also use the space very effectively, although the railcar is divided into two halves by the power module. Most units have a path through the drive container for passenger access. The end modules can be delivered with standard pulling devices or buffer gears, or with central buffer couplings. They are built with a low-floor design except above the bogies and at the supported ends (more than 65% of the railcar is low-floor). All of the usual comforts to be expected in a modern local network railcar are provided, such as air conditioning, a multi-purpose room, vacuum toilets (in a washroom suitable for the disabled) and a passenger information system. The GTWs can be diesel–electric or electric-powered (via overhead wires or third rail).
Although the traction is good for the powered bogies the concept has the same problem as other light railcars with the brakes on the non-powered axles having lower grip than traditional railcars. This has led to actual restrictions when leaves are on the rails as the wheel slide protection can not fully compensate the effect. The central power module has limits with heat dissipation as well which can lead into situations where the power output needs to be limited which is automatically done in this construction concept.
There are diesel propulsion modules with 550 kW (740 hp ) (since 2003) with 2 x 375 kW (503 hp) = 750 kW (1,006 hp) power available, and electric propulsion modules with 600 to 1,100 kW (800 to 1,480 hp). IGBT based traction converters together with asynchronous motors are used as drive units. The traction converters are manufactured by ABB at their site in Turgi, Switzerland and the motors by TSA Austria.
By inserting a middle car (also with only one bogie) on one side of the propulsion module, the GTW 2/6 is expanded to GTW 2/8. Instead of the middle car, another drive module can also be inserted. Between the two modules are then either a trailer passenger car (GTW 4/8) or two medium cars and partitions (GTW 4/12). For operational flexibility up to four GTWs of the same pattern can be operated as a multiple unit.
The Panoramique des Dômes in France uses 4 GTW 2/6 since opening in 2012. [2]
In Greece, TrainOSE operates two variants of the Stadler GTW 2/6 (known also incorrectly as railbus), owned by OSE. It is the main suburban DMU and there are two variants i.e. the metric and the standard gauge. The metric gauge variant (OSE class 4501) operates in the Suburban of Patras (Proastiakos) and the tourist line of Katakolo –Pyrgos –Ancient Olympia. The standard gauge variant (OSE class 560) operates on the regional service Athens–Lianokladi and the local Lianokladi–Lamia–Stylida line (which is referred to as Proastiakos Lamias). In the near future, it is expected they will operate on different lines due to the electrification of the main network and TrainOSE becoming one of the Ferrovie dello stato Italiane group's subsidiary which will cause a lot of changes to the Greek railways.
In Italy GTW are used by some regional railways, and called ATR:
The multinational transport company Arriva uses the diesels on the lines: Leer (Germany) –Groningen, Delfzijl–Groningen, Leeuwarden–Groningen, Roodeschool/Eemshaven–Sauwerd, Veendam–Zuidbroek, Leeuwarden–Stavoren, Leeuwarden –Harlingen Haven. From December 2012, Arriva is also using diesel GTW's on Arnhem–Winterswijk, Winterswijk–Zutphen and Zutphen–Apeldoorn.
The electrified GTW are used on the lines Dordrecht –Gorinchem –Geldermalsen (since 2018 by transport company Qbuzz) and since December 2012 also on Zwolle –Emmen. Since December 2022 electrified GTW's are also used on the weekly Arriva night train service between Groningen and Schiphol Airport.
Arriva Limburg uses electric GTW on the lines Kerkrade Centrum – Heerlen – Maastricht Randwyck, Heerlen–Maastricht, and the diesels are used on the lines: Roermond –Venlo –Nijmegen.
Connexxion was using one electric GTW for the line: Barneveld Centrum – Amersfoort, This GTW is transferred to the Vechtdallijnen from Arriva, Connexxion is also using 9 diesel GTW's for the Breng concession starting December 2012.
The Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) Class 425.95 is used on the Tatra Electric Railway. The design of these trains was derived from the GTW 2/6. [3]
The ZSSK Class 495.95 trains are used on both the Tatra Electric Railway and the Štrbské Pleso–Štrba rack railway. [4]
The ZSSK Class 840 trains also derived from the GTW 2/6 are in use on the normal-gauge railways in the Poprad region. Class 840 trains are also used on the Bratislava—Komárno line from December 2020 [5]
The Catalan government-owned Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) purchased two diesel-powered, Iberian gauge trains for use on the Lleida–La Pobla Line. [6] This allowed the service frequency to be increased from 4 to 10 trains per day between Lleida and Balaguer, and 1 to 4 per day between Lleida and La Pobla de Segur. A third new set is scheduled to enter service by August 2021. [7] The company also owns 7 narrow gauge trains for their rack railway lines, the first 5 trains were purchased in 2000 for the Montserrat rack railway and the remaining two were ordered in 2001 for the Vall de Núria rack raikway. These units are electric-powered using a pantograph installed on the central carriage. Additionally, the Nuria trains have a second pantograph in the front car to remove ice and snow from the overhead wires on colder seasons. Between 2020 and 2022, the two trains from the Núria line have been transferred to the Montserrat line.
The Swiss Federal Railways use a narrow version of the GTW 2/6 (RABe 520) on the Seetal railway line and between Lenzburg and Zofingen.
THURBO uses a large fleet of RABe 526 (GTW 2/6 and 2/8) on various lines in eastern Switzerland. Regionalverkehr Mittelland bought several GTW 2/6, which were later extended to GTW 2/8 and finally sold to the Swiss Federal Railways in 2013.
Various narrow gauge railways use GTWs: Chemins de fer du Jura, Biel–Täuffelen–Ins-Bahn, and the Transports Montreux–Vevey–Riviera.
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) in Austin, Texas, uses ten Diesel rail vehicles of the type GTW 2/6 on its 32-mile (51.5 km) red line from Leander to Downtown Austin. CapMetro originally purchased 6 GTW DMUs from Stadler in 2005, but expanded their fleet to 10 units in 2017. [8] The 4 newer units feature LED destination signs instead of flip-dot signs, a slightly tweaked paint scheme (to better match the MetroBus paint scheme), and an updated engine car design that features a rounded top rather than an angular top as found on the older DMUs.
The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), announced on May 20, 2009, that it would purchase 11 GTW 2/6 articulated diesel multiple units (DMUs) for DCTA's 21-mile (34 km) corridor from Denton to Carrollton. This line connects with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Green Line which extends from the Pleasant Grove neighborhood in southeast Dallas to northern Carrollton. The contract includes an option for up to 25 additional GTWs. [9]
In 2014, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District Authority ordered eight GTW 2/6 DMUs for the eBART standard gauge tracks (the rapid transit system uses a wide gauge) to Antioch, California with two options to procure six more. [10] The first trains were delivered by June 2017, [11] with revenue service starting in May 2018.
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also generally classed as DMUs. Diesel-powered units may be further classified by their transmission type: diesel–mechanical DMMU, diesel–hydraulic DHMU, or diesel–electric DEMU.
A railcar is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach, with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railway companies, such as the Great Western, termed such vehicles "railmotors".
The Siemens Desiro is a family of diesel or electric multiple unit passenger trains developed by Siemens Mobility, a division of the German Siemens AG conglomerate. The main variants are the Desiro Classic, Desiro ML, Desiro UK and the later Desiro City, Desiro HC and Desiro RUS. The trains are mostly used for commuter and regional services, and their rapid acceleration makes them suitable for services with short distances between stations. The design is flexible, and has become common in many European countries.
Stadler Rail AG is a Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock, with an original emphasis on regional train multiple units and trams, but moving also into underground, high speed, intercity and sleeper trains. It also produces niche products, such as being one of the last European manufacturers of rack railway rolling stock. Stadler Rail is headquartered at its place of origin in Bussnang, Switzerland. Stadler Rail employed 13,900 employees by 2023.
The Štrbské Pleso–Štrba rack railway is a 1,000 mm gauge narrow-gauge railway in the High Tatras. It was built in 1896 and reconstructed in 1970. At the valley terminus, it connects to the standard-gauge main line between Bratislava and Košice, and at the mountain terminus, it connects to the Tatra Electric Railway.
For more than a century, the Swiss locomotive, multiple unit, motor coach and railcar classification system, in either its original or updated forms, has been used to name and classify the rolling stock operated on the railways of Switzerland. It started out as a uniform system for the classification and naming of all rolling stock, powered and unpowered, but had been replaced and amended by the UIC classification of goods wagons.
Stadler FLIRT is a passenger multiple unit trainset made by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. The baseline design of FLIRT is an electric multiple unit articulated trainset that can come in units of two to twelve cars with two to six motorized axles. The maximum speed is 200 km/h (125 mph). Standard floor height is 57 cm, but 78 cm high floors are also available for platform heights of 76 cm.
The NS Class 3400 was a series of diesel multiple unit which were in service in the Netherlands between 1996 and 2017 and were built by Duewag, Talbot and SIG between 1996 and 1998. They were operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen and between 1999 until 2014 under lease by Syntus. The class is referred to as DM'90 meaning diesel rolling stock of the 1990s or Buffel, which means Buffalo. The DM'90 series was developed alongside the short lived, electric SM'90 series with which it shares the unusual body cross section. Class 3400 were the last DMUs in service with NS, the older DE3 and DH1/2 ("Wadloper") series having been replaced by the diesel electric Stadler GTW which are still in use with other operators in the Netherlands. Since January 2018, all units are now stored out of service and 32 units have been sold to SKPL - Polish private railway operator, where they are reclassified as SD85.
The Stadler Regio-Shuttle RS1 is the first widely used, new-generation, diesel railcar in Germany and Czech Republic for local railway services. Its most characteristic feature is the trapezium-shaped window frames. The Regio-Shuttle is classified by the Deutsche Bahn as Class 650, by the České Dráhy as Class 840 or Class 841, however numerous private railways have their own Regio-Shuttles.
The Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn ABDeh 8/8, now known as the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn ABDeh 8/8, is a three member class of metre gauge, rack rail, electric multiple units operated until 2002 by the Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn (BVZ), and since then by its successor, the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland.
The ZSSK Class 425.95, is a class of metre gauge electric articulated trains currently operating on the Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ), in the Prešov Region of northeastern Slovakia. They are part of the Stadler GTW family of rail vehicles, developed by Stadler Rail.
The Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn Deh 4/4, now known as the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn Deh 4/4 21–24, is a four member class of metre gauge, rack rail, electric multiple unit power cars operated until 2002 by the Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn (BVZ), and since then by its successor, the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland.
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn ABDeh 4/8, also known as Komet, is a two member class of metre gauge electric trains operated by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland.
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn ABDeh 4/10, also known as Komet, is a three member class of metre gauge electric trains operated by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland.
The RABe 520 is an electric multiple unit used since 2002 by the Swiss Federal Railways. It is based on the Stadler GTW 2/8 model.
P.A.Th.E./P, which stands for Patras–Athens–Thessaloniki–Idomeni/Promachonas is a higher-speed rail line in Greece which is partly completed and partly under construction. The section between Athens and Thessaloniki is completed and allows a travel time of 3 hours 20 minutes, a reduction of about three hours.
The Stadler Citylink is a series of tram-trains manufactured by Stadler Rail at its Valencia factory since 2011. The design was introduced by Vossloh España before their takeover by Stadler Rail in 2015. They are currently used in Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom, with more on order in Austria. Stadler opened a new factory in the United States in 2016, which is in the process of building up to 80 Citylink vehicles for service in Salt Lake City beginning in 2028.
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The British Rail Class 231 is a class of eleven diesel-electric multiple units of the FLIRT family, which have been built for Transport for Wales by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail. The first units entered service on 18 January 2023.
In Greece, there are two similar classes of Stadler GTW trainsets, namely the 560 and the 4500, which are operated by TRAINOSE and are part of OSE rolling stock. These are suburban DMUs with two coaches, of type G.T.W. 2/6, which were built by a consortium of Stadler, Bombardier and Hellenic Shipyards and were put into operation by OSE, between 2003 and 2004. The trainsets are either standard or metre gauge, but with the same technical characteristics. They can be coupled in multiple coupling with up to three railcars.