Germany: Visitors to this year’s show in Berlin could see trams from Alstom, Hyundai Rotem, Astra and others, while the only metro train and tram-train were presented by Stadler.
Imperio, new modification from Astra
The only tram at the expo that had never been shown before was the updated version of the Imperio tram, which made its debut at InnoTrans 2012. The Romanian manufacturer claims to have improved the exterior, interior, and design as well as upgraded the traction system.
The renewed Imperio from Astra. Source: Matti Blume/wikipedia
Inside the renewed Imperio from Astra. Source: transport-publiczny.pl
The tram’s software has also been upgraded. A new driver assistance and obstacle detection system was developed by ICPE-SAERP, Astra’s subsidiary. The Imperio’s bogies and motors are from Siemens Mobility.
While the tram on display at InnoTrans is 18 m long and consists of two cars, Astra is ready to supply two-, three-, four-, five- and six-car vehicles with 1,000 mm and 1,435 mm gauge bogies. Until now, the company has only supplied trams to the Romanian market.
H2, hydrogen tram from Hyundai Rotem
The list of novelties at the show included the H2 hydrogen fuel cell tram. Its manufacturer has already received an order for 34 of these vehicles for the city of Daejeon, which will enter service at the end of 2028. Construction of the line for these trams began in September.
The H2 hydrogen tram from Hyundai Rotem at InnoTrans 2024. Source: transport-publiczny
Inside the H2 hydrogen tram from Hyundai Rotem. Source: Magyarics Zoltan/RegionalBahn
Hyundai Rotem has already revealed the technical parameters of this low-floor tram powered by four 90 kW hydrogen fuel cell units. The basic model with a height of 3.7 m will have a range of more than 150 km, while the model with an increased height of 4 m will have a range of more than 200 km. Refuelling of the roof-mounted hydrogen tanks will take only 15 minutes. According to experts from the Russian Railways research institute, NIIAS, who attended the Berlin expo, a basic set of sensors installed on the tram implies that a driver will be slightly involved in the operation of the vehicle.
JK and Citylink, metro train and tram train from Stadler
The new-generation JK was the only full-scale metro train at the show. The vehicle on display was designed for the Berlin U-Bahn, a narrow-gauge rapid transit system. In 2020, the city’s operator, BVG, placed an order with the Swiss manufacturer for up to 1,500 vehicles with various modifications worth €3 bln.
The 2.4 m wide JK consists of two aluminium cars with a total capacity of 142 passengers, 28 of whom can be seated. Three axles of each car are powered, for a total of 540 kW, allowing a design speed of 70 km/h.
The Stadler JK metro train for Berlin. Source: Stadler
The area for bicycles and prams in the Stadler JK metro train. Source: Stadler
The pre-series train was unveiled two years ago. It was due to enter service in 2022, but component supply problems caused the deadline to be pushed back, with testing only beginning in early 2024. Pilot operations with passengers on board were scheduled for the end of the summer, but never started.
The only tram train available to visitors this year was Stadler’s Citylink. Saarbahn, the operator of the light rail line connecting Germany and France, has ordered a fleet of 28 tram trains for passenger service in Germany. The first four units are scheduled for delivery by December, with the remainder to be delivered by 2027.
The Stadler Citylink tram train for Saarbahn. Source: Falk2/wikimedia
The 37.2 m long, three-car bi-directional tram train will operate on 1,435 mm gauge tracks. With a capacity for 233 passengers, the Citylink is said to accelerate to 100 km/h. There are 100 passenger seats, some of which are folding, as well as areas for prams and bicycles. The Citylink is equipped to operate on two systems: 750 V DC on the tram lines in the city and 15 kV AC on the railway network.
Inside the Stadler Citylink tram train for Saarbahn. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The driver’s cab of the Citylink from Stadler. Source: Adorján Péter/RegionalBahn
Saarbahn is a member of the German-Austrian consortium VDV, which has placed an order with Stadler for 246 Citylink tram-trains, with an option for 258 vehicles, in 2022. This is the Swiss manufacturer’s largest order to date. The aim of the consortium is to develop a uniform tram standard that will reduce the cost of a car by €1 mln and cut maintenance costs by sharing orders. Although the bogies, traction equipment, design and components are the same, tram-trains supplied to each member will differ in the number and position of doors, height, interior equipment, etc.
Longest tram in the line from Alstom
The nine-car, 50.9 m long, low-floor Urbanliner Flexity tram was produced by the French manufacturer for the busiest line in Berlin, the M4. This longest model in the city has been on trial in the Germany’s capital since June.
The model features an updated chassis, redesigned seats and windows, improved driver’s cab ergonomics and video cameras instead of mirrors. It can carry 312 passengers, 92 of whom can be seated. The tram’s driver assistance systems include an obstacle detection system.
The Urbanliner Flexity from Alstom. Source: Jens Herfort Pedersen/flickr
Inside the Urbanliner Flexity from Alstom. Source: Jens Herfort Pedersen/flickr
The €571 mln framework contract between BVG and Bombardier Transportation, which was taken over by Alstom in 2021, provides for up to 117 low-floor trams. The trams, with different numbers of cars, will vary in length: 35 nine-car trams will be 50 m long, while 82 five-car trams will be 30 m long. The firm order, worth €115 mln, has been placed for 17 and three units respectively.
Trams from other producers
Czech Škoda Group and Polish Pesa were also among the manufacturers showcasing their low-floor trams at InnoTrans 2024.
The three-car bi-directional ForCity Smart 41T of 30.6 m in length has been manufactured by Škoda Group under a 2019 contract for the delivery of 38 trams for Bonn’s operator Stadtwerke Bonn. The first vehicle arrived in the German city last March, but it has not still obtained permission for commissioning.
The tram, designed for a maximum speed of 80 km/h, can accommodate 180 passengers, including 60 seated. There is a dedicated area for wheelchairs, prams, and bicycles. The LRV is fitted with an air-conditioning system which uses CO2 as a refrigerant.
Pesa has produced the three-car Twist tram for Wrocław’s public transport operator MPK Wrocław. The vehicle has a length of 27 m and a passenger capacity of 200 people. Equipped with a recuperation system, the tram features supercapacitors for storage of the recovered energy to be used for operation on non-electrified sections of the network.
Under a contract of 2021 worth PLN 204 mln (€47 mln), the Polish manufacturer is to deliver 24 such LRVs by January 2025. There is also an option for another 16 vehicles.
Read our reviews of InnoTrans 2022: MUs, locomotives, LRV, track machines.
