GERMANY: Hamburger Hochbahn AG presented its next generation U-Bahn trainset at the Alstom LHB works in Salzgitter in July, unveiling a full-size mock-up showing the car end, driving cab and interior layout.
HHA ordered 27 trainsets in December 2006 from a consortium of Alstom and Bombardier at a cost of €240m. All previous generations of U-Bahn stock in the city were supplied by LHB, but Siemens, Stadler and Rotem also bid for the latest contract. The first seven trains are due for delivery in 2009-11, and following a testing phase the remaining 20 will arrive by 2013; the contract includes an option for a further 40 sets.
Like the earlier DT3 series supplied in 1968-71, the DT5s will be articulated three-car sets. However, they will not have articulation bogies. The centre car will ride on two conventional air-sprung bogies, flanked by two single-bogied end vehicles supported from the articulations. For the first time in Hamburg, the units will be through-gangwayed and air-conditioned; each train will have 96 seats and space for 128 standing passengers, plus two wheelchair spaces. CCTV monitoring and fire-prevention sprinkler systems will be provided, as on the DT4 sets supplied between 1988 and 1999. The passenger information provision will be enhanced, with video screens in each car.
The driving ends have a similar appearance to the DT4s, but with designer modifications. LED lighting will also be introduced. The stainless steel bodies will be unpainted, but with the door areas picked out in HHA's traditional red livery.
Each 52·5 tonne train will be 39·6 m long, and powered by six water-cooled three-phase motors rated at 135 kW; maximum speed will be 80 km/h. The units will be able to run in sets of two or three within the existing platform lengths. HHA expects to deploy the DT5s on the city-centre ring line U3 and Line U4 to Hafen City which is due to open in 2011.
