A Global Journey

Stadler offers a comprehensive range of rolling stock service, including high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and commuter heavy rail trains, underground trains, tram-trains and trams as well as signalling products

With sustainability at the heart of the business, Stadler is a market leader in emission-free traction and is playing a critical role in helping governments around the world achieve net zero targets. There are seven ‘live’ projects in the UK, in other words rolling stock that is still in the production process and not yet been delivered to the client. Or, that some trains have been delivered and the client has not yet introduced them into commercial service. These are:

• Electric Multiple Units for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

• METRO trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

• METRO trains for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

• CITYLINK tram-trains for Transport for Wales.

• Tri-mode locomotives for Rail Operations (UK).

• Bi-mode locomotives for GB Railfreight and Beacon Rail.

• Transport for Wales started introducing FLIRT trains into passenger service in January 2023.

Stadler Rail Service UK (SRS UK) provides services to a growing number of customers in the United Kingdom. Headquartered in Liverpool, SRS UK offers maintenance and efficient all-round service on all rail vehicles. Four hundred people work at SRS UK locations around the country on various projects.

Seven of the 53 Class 777 METRO trains ordered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will be IPEMUs (independently powered electric multiple unit), which are powered by battery. The 46 others are EMUs (electric multiple units). The first of its type to operate in the UK, the IPEMU has the potential to replace diesel powered units, helping clients to cut carbon emissions. IPEMUs can run on non-electrified lines, enabling clients to extend operations, meaning that costly infrastructure upgrades can be prevented.

Passengers are able to avoid changing modes to make travel easier and more convenient, which in turn encourages more people to take the train.

While an IPEMU is running on the electrified network, the batteries can be charged from the third rail, as well as through regenerative braking. IPEMUs can be recharged in less than 15 minutes, and batteries are able to undergo more than 10,000 charge/discharge cycles.

Able to reach a speed of 80 kph when fully charged, it can cover an operational distance of 55 kilometres on one battery load, having reached 135 kilometres during tests in 2022. The IPEMU boasts the same interior and high levels of passenger comfort and can carry the same number of passengers. The ride quality is smooth and passengers will not notice the transition from EMU to IPEMU mode. An IPEMU was displayed at InnoTrans in September 2022.

Stadler will deliver 46 METRO trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Bright and open, with special multi-functional areas for wheelchairs, prams, luggage and bicycles, they will feel more secure, featuring video surveillance, protection systems for door operation and clear warning displays. Good thermal and acoustic insulation will regulate on-board temperatures for the comfort of passengers, and newly developed air-sprung bogies will reduce noise.

Eight large double doors allow passengers to get on and off quickly. The lightweight carbodies, the recovery of braking energy and the use of highly efficient traction converter technology will all help reduce energy consumption. Trains will be built to accommodate an energy storage system, enabling them to operate on an extended network in future and driving on depot premises.

Stadler is working in a consortium to supply 17 METRO trains for the Glasgow Subway. With its unusually narrow track and tunnels gauges, Glasgow Subway operates solely within its original Victorian tunnels, and has a track gauge of 1.22 metres and tunnel gauge of just 3.4 metres in diameter. This makes the contract highly complex.

Light and bright, trains will feature open gangways to maximise space and will be equipped for fully automatic, unattended train operation. It will be the first time that Stadler is manufacturing trains for a driverless system in the UK. A METRO train for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport was displayed at InnoTrans in September 2018. The first new train entered the Glasgow Subway system for testing in December 2021, with testing on the network starting in April 2022.

Transport for Wales has awarded Stadler a contract to supply 36 three-car CITYLINK tram-trains, which can be used on both tram and mainline lines. This avoids passengers having to change modes, which promotes seamless travel and significantly increases the attractiveness of public transports.

These modular, barrier-free light rail units are designed to connect city centres with outlying areas. They feature traction battery systems, meaning that they can run on non-electrified lines. This reduces carbon emissions and helping to prevent costly infrastructure investments for the client.

Thanks to the traction batteries, which are being used on the CITYLINK for the first time, they can run solely electrically on both AC 25kV electrified lines and nonelectrified lines. A CITYLINK for Transport for Wales was displayed at InnoTrans in September 2022.

Strong environmental credentials and the use of battery power characterise FLIRT trains, 35 of which has been ordered by Transport for Wales. They demonstrate Stadler’s leading role in the introduction of alternative drive technologies in public transport, and are capable of running on lines with overhead electric wires, as well as with battery power and diesel.

Twenty-four are tri-modes, representing an innovative and cost-effective way of providing a fully electric, environmentally friendly service. Used in battery-mode, they will enable a fully electric service north of Cardiff, known as ‘smart electrification’.

This prevents costly infrastructure upgrades for the client. Seven three-car and 17 four-car trains will make up the tri-mode fleet, and the remaining eleven FLIRTs will be diesel-electric. Noise and vibrations will be kept to a minimum, with the new trains quieter than the current ones. Low flooring at every door will reduce dwell time and make it easier for passengers to get on and off. There will be space for up to six bikes on each train.

The first trains in diesel-electric drive arrived for testing on the Wales & Borders network at the end of 2021. A tri-mode FLIRT for Transport for Wales was displayed at InnoTrans in September 2022. Eleven of the 35 FLIRTs are DMUs, with the client entering the first into commercial service in January 2023.

Stadler and Rail Operations (UK) Limited signed a framework agreement for 30 Class 93 tri-mode locomotives in January 2021. An initial batch of ten locomotives are due for delivery in early 2023. The advanced locomotives will significantly reduce carbon emissions for both rail freight as well as for potential passenger transport services, underscoring Stadler’s green credentials and demonstrating its commitment to decarbonisation.

Class 93 is a Bo’Bo’ mixed-traffic locomotive based on Stadler’s Class 68 and Class 88 locomotives, which have been operating successfully in the UK for some years. It is capable of reaching higher speed than the previous ones, i.e.175kph instead of 160 kph.

Stadler’s first tri-mode locomotive has three different power sources. In electric mode, it is able to run on 25kV AC overhead lines with a power of 4,000 kW. In addition, the locomotive features a CATERPILLAR C32 engine and Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) traction battery packs, allowing it to operate over non-electrified lines. The diesel engine has a nominal power of 900kW and meets EU 97/68 Stage V emission requirements. The two LTO battery packs provide 400kW extra power to supplement the engine when the locomotive is running in diesel/battery hybrid mode, as well as last mile carbon-free shunting operation. Operation in battery-mode avoids ‘idling’ in diesel-mode at stations. The production process is now well under way, with the first carbody completed in July 2022.

In April 2022, Stadler was awarded its latest UK contract, signing agreement for 30 Class 99 bi-mode Co’Co’ locomotives with GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Beacon Rail. Representing a new generation of locomotives, the Class 99 offers rail operators economic and environmental benefits, promoting modal shift to rail.

These high-performing locomotives can reach speeds of up to 120 kph and run on 25 kV AC electrified lines with a power of 6,000 kW at wheel. A high-power lowemissions Stage-V engine enables them to operate on non-electrified lines and they boast an outstanding tractive effort of up to 500 kN, as well as high-hauling capability and performance. The driver’s cab has been designed with the driver in mind. An ergonomic desk and well-positioned seating maximises visibility, streamlining operation and enhancing comfort.

Tel: 00 44 7523 501 493

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