Alstom to modernise regional trains in Germany

Alstom was just awarded a contract by Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG) to modernise 24 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) Coradia Lint trains currently operating on Weser-Ems network1.

The modernisation contract, worth about 27 million euros, will add about 15 years to the lifespan of the trains and improve the journey for the roughly 20,000 passengers who travel daily on the network. The modernisation and certification of the trains will be performed at the Braunschweig facility in Borsigstraße, a site specialised in services for passenger trainsets, and completion is scheduled for December 2015.

“Alstom is pleased to be able to help LNVG renew its existing vehicles” says Klaus Hiller, director of the Transport Life Services business unit in Germany. “This is another milestone in the field of service for passenger trains, in which Alstom is one of the world leaders. This job is the ideal opportunity to demonstrate that refurbishing trains is a cost-effective option to extend the lifespan of existing rolling stock.”

“The modernisation of the vehicles will guarantee a lifespan of 15 years for the trains which will be running until 2030. It’s the passengers who will profit the most“, adds Hans-Joachim Menn, Managing Director of LNVG. The modernisation includes, among other things, renewal of the doors and seats as well as of the exterior painting. In addition, Alstom will equip the trains with power sockets and screens for passenger information as well as cameras to increase passenger safety. A wheelchair spot with intercom will also be added.

The trains were supplied by Alstom in 1997, and are part of the Coradia-Lint family.

Alstom is the only train builder in Germany offering maintenance, service and modernisation for all types of trains (even those not built by Alstom) as well as for transport information systems. Alstom is modernising, repairing and maintaining electrical and diesel-powered passenger and freight locomotives in the Braunschweig, Salzgitter, Stendal and Waibstadt facilities in Germany. In the coming months, the Braunschweig facility will have its capacities significantly extended.

Reference

1. Lower Saxony, Germany