© Alpha Trains
- Passenger News
- 03. July 2023
- Press Release | Alpha Trains
Sustainable mobility concept redeploys existing train fleet
Refurbished Coradia Continental trains for the Bremen/Lower Saxony Regio-S-Bahn presented in Aachen
Aachen/Cologne, 3 July 2023 - Talbot Services is refurbishing and redesigning 35 Alstom Coradia Continental multiple units on behalf of Alpha Trains. The first converted trains have recently been presented to the public at the Talbot plant in Aachen.
The previous and new operator of the fleet is NordWestBahn, a subsidiary of the French Transdev Group, which operates the trains on the 270-kilometre network of the Regio-S-Bahn Bremen/Lower Saxony (RSBN).
Work began in the Aachen workshop in January 2023. To date, Talbot has completed nine of in total 35 trains, and the remaining 26 multiple units will be successively refurbished by March 2025. To ensure the quick and smooth refurbishment of the entire fleet, the project team converted the first train as a prototype in advance.
NordWestBahn has been operating the RSBN network since December 2010 and was awarded the new transport contract, which runs until December 2036, following a Europe-wide tendering procedure. In December 2022, 16 new Stadler Flirt XL trains were added to the existing Coradia fleet, bringing the total number of Alpha Trains’ electric multiple units in operation in and around the Hanseatic city to 51.
The close partnership between the operator, the public transport authority, the refurbishment company and the lessor is a crucial advantage for the project. The Alpha Trains engineering team is responsible for project management and can draw on a wealth of experience and expertise. The specifications for the conversion measures were prepared according to the requirements of the public transport authority, the technical design was developed in close collaboration with Talbot Services and the construction of the prototype was closely monitored.
The trains are all being equipped with Wi-Fi and 5G upgrades to provide passengers with a reliable internet connection throughout their journey. Moreover, a new passenger information system is being installed, with large screens and real-time information about connecting trains. A state-of-the-art video surveillance system, energy-efficient LED lighting, tinted scratch protection films and numerous power outlets are all being integrated in the vehicles. The trains are also being visually upgraded with a new livery in the Transdev design and a 21st-century interior with new seat upholstery and covers, armrests and tables.
Accessibility was also given a high priority when planning the conversion. The installation of a guide system for the blind and visually impaired, door buttons with a built-in location sound, and improved access to the spacious, multi-purpose storage area for prams, wheelchairs and bicycles make the vehicles easier to use for mobility-impaired passengers.
“The refurbishment and modernisation of the existing Coradia fleet marks a new chapter in the corporate history of NordWestBahn,” said Ulrich Ehrhardt, Managing Director of the Osnabrück-based railway company. “We are proud to add the latest technology to our fleet and meet the needs of our passengers even more effectively.” He is pleased with the outstanding cooperation between all the parties involved, which has made this remarkable result possible.
“The RSBN redesign project with the modernisation of the 35 Coradia Continentals underlines the potential for redeploying existing vehicles. The results of the conversion with the new design, the bright, pleasant atmosphere, Wi-Fi and up-to-date passenger information systems all provide genuine added value for our passengers. We are delighted to be able to implement this project together with Alpha Trains and NordWestBahn,” said Dirk Reuters, Managing Director of Talbot Services GmbH.
“This project is a good example of effective collaboration between lessor, operator and refurbishment company and proves that state-of-the-art trains do not always have to be new ones. The expert conversion work has brought the Coradia Continental up to date and offers passengers a modern, comfortable and accessible travel experience,” added Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director of Alpha Trains Europa GmbH.
About Talbot Services GmbH
Tradition on track for the future
Talbot Services GmbH is a young, yet tradition-based company in the field of rolling stock construction. Our expertise and flexibility in implementing innovative, market-driven solutions is based on the balanced mixture of 184 years of Aachen’s rolling stock history and the fresh visions of a new TALBOT generation.
Contact
Talbot Services GmbH
Dennis Herrmann
Phone: +49 241 1821-0
E-Mail: d.herrmann@talbot-services.com
www.talbot-services.com
About Alpha Trains
Alpha Trains is the leading rolling stock lessor in Europe. A total of 130 employees from 17 countries work in offices in Luxembourg, Antwerp, Cologne, Madrid, Paris and Warsaw. Alpha Trains owns more than 950 locomotives and passenger trains and offers tailor-made leasing solutions, comprehensive know-how in maintenance and vehicle repairs as well as long-term experience in the financing of new-build projects. Alpha Trains’ fleets are in use at many public and private operators in 22 European countries. Alpha Trains′ shareholders are APG, Arcus European Trains, PGGM and Swiss Life.
Contact
Alpha Trains Group
Heike Zimmermann, Group Head of PR & Marketing
Telefon: +49 221 9140 9063
heike.zimmermann@alphatrains.eu