GERMANY: DB announced a €100m order for a further 22 Bombardier Talent 2 electric multiple-units on July 1. They are to be deployed on E-Netz Franken regional and regional express services from the end of 2011, when DB Regio subsidiary Regional- und Stadtverkehr Bayern GmbH takes over responsibility for operations on the network serving Nürnberg, Bamberg and Würzburg.
The five three-car, nine four-car and eight five-car Class 442 trainsets will have a top speed of 160 km/h. The modular design enables them to have entrance heights of 800 mm and 598 mm, with sliding steps to bridge the gaps between the trains and the various platform heights found on the routes.
DB has now placed firm orders for a total of 98 Talent 2 EMUs within a €1·2bn framework contract for up to 321 units which was agreed with Bombardier Transportation in February 2007.
