International News

Go-Ahead launches first Bavarian services with new electric trains

The Go-Ahead Group has launched its first services in Bavaria, Germany.

The first service took place last month from Munich Central Station on its journey to Buchloe, at the start of a 12-year contract involving about 2.7m train kilometres each year.

The service is being provided by a new fleet of 22 Stadler electric trains. Journeys will be faster, quieter and more environmentally friendly, with the new fleet taking advantage of the route being recently electrified.

The modern trains with 216 seats each feature air conditioning, at least 20 bicycle racks per train, and plenty of storage space for luggage. A total of 61 drivers and 43 conductors have been recruited for the service. Christian Schreyer, Go-Ahead Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to be operating our first services on behalf of the state of Bavaria. Our team has been working hard to deliver a completely new fleet, new maintenance arrangements and recruit a team of drivers and conductors to provide the service. “We have been working closely with our client bodies Bavarian Railway Company (BEG) and Department of Transport BadenWürttemberg, and other partners to enable a successful start to operations, and we look forward to continuing to improve services for our new customers.”

Deutsche Bahn looks to renewables for its H2goesRail project

Lhyfe has signed a deal with the German national railway operator Deutsche Bahn to build and operate an electrolyser in Tübingen from 2024, for the production of hydrogen to fuel a hydrogen train as part of the H2goesRail project.

For this project, Lhyfe has selected the Green Hydrogen Systems electrolyser, with an annual production capacity of around 30 tonnes. It will be powered exclusively by electricity from renewable sources – wind, solar and hydropower.

The announcement follows the news in November that Deutsche Bahn and Siemens Mobility was collaborating to build hydrogenpowered trains to replace the fleet’s 1,300 diesel trains by 2050.

Mathieu Guesné, Lhyfe’s founding president, said: “We are very proud to announce this first project in Germany with a major partner which has very strong ambitions in terms of innovation and decarbonisation.”

Hitachi to provide express trains for Tobu’s flagship service

Tobu Railway Co. has selected Hitachi to provide a new fleet of ‘Limited’ express trains for its flagship service between Tokyo and Nikko and Kinugawa.

The new N100 express trains will improve the service from the Japanese capital and tourist spot and replace the previous Spacia 100 series, which have been operating since 1990.

The new trains are to be built at Hitachi Rail’s Kasado Works and will run in six-carriage formation, which includes 212 seats.

N100’s exterior drew inspiration from the design of Japanese traditional crafts, and the colouring comes from the white of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

Koji Agatsuma, Group COO (Rolling Stock), Hitachi Rail said: “We are proud to design and build Tobu’s flagship express trains that will improve the service for the millions of passengers who visit Nikko and Kinugawa every year.

“Hitachi has built more than 500 commuter cars of A-train for Tobu. We will work with Tobu to build a fleet of modern trains that are safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly.”

The first unit of N100 will be put in operation in 2023.

Photo: Hitachi

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