Protos EMU prototype ready to roll

DUE TO be unveiled at the InnoTrans show in Berlin next month is the Protos EMU, also designed for the European regional market.

The Protos concept is being developed by Fahrzeugtechnik Dessau, which has just been acquired by Russia's Transmash Holding Group (RG 4.06 p174). Last year FTD won an order from Dutch operator Connexxion for five EMUs to work the 34 km route between Ede-Wageningen, Barneveld and Amersfoort. The units are due to enter revenue service in September 2007. Four units will be needed in traffic each day.

Protos is a 1·5 kV DC EMU, formed from two close-coupled 26·4m long vehicles. The welded all-steel bodyshells are built to the crashworthiness requirements of prEN 15227, as with other recent Dutch orders.

The cars are air-conditioned and will use FTD's own modular design of sliding-plug doors. Vossloh Kiepe will supply the electrical equipment, including two traction and auxiliary inverters as well as batteries. The outer bogie on each vehicle will be powered, with four 335 kW asynchronous motors. The bogies are air-sprung, with semi-suspended drives. Maximum speed is 160 km/h. Dynamic and electropneumatic braking will be blended automatically.

Each two-car unit will have seats for 16 first class and 154 second class passengers. There will also be a 'disco compartment' fitted with video screens.

Protos technical data