GERMANY: Siemens Mobility has lengthened existing Desiro ML electric multiple-units from three to four cars for the first time, and with the support of national authorities has obtained EU Agency for Railways approval for their operation.
Leasing company Alpha Trains ordered seven Desiro ML units at the end of 2018 for use from early 2020 on Ostseeküste-Ost regional services RE9 Rostock – Stralsund – Binz/Sassnitz and RE10 Rostock – Stralsund – Züssow, which Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn operates under contract to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern transport authority VMV. To facilitate the required rapid delivery, the EMUs were supplied from Siemens’ Krefeld factory as three-car units, with an extra car to be added later.
VMV Managing Director Berthold Witting said trains to the Baltic Sea resorts regularly reach capacity during the tourist season, and the longer units would provide 68 additional seats and a first class area.
‘The plan to expand the capacity of the Desiro ML trains was facilitated by the flexible single car train concept of our platform which makes it straightforward to add a further car’, said Albrecht Neumann, CEO of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility, on August 23.
’With its conversion of the Desiro ML trains for Alpha Trains, Siemens Mobility has for the first time completed the certification process for expanding capacity on a European level. We are proud to have facilitated this expansion of capacity on time, even under pandemic conditions.’
Alpha Trains CEO Shaun Mills said ’as the original launch customer for the Siemens Desiro ML series, we are particularly proud to be pioneers in the expansion of these trains as well. The combination of our know-how and a wealth of experience enabled us to offer a fast, flexible solution.’
