| Stadler FLIRT | |
|---|---|
 An RABe 523 (Stadler FLIRT 1) of SBB and ET 4.25 (Stadler FLIRT 3) of Eurobahn | |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Constructed | 2004–present |
| Number built | Over 2,500 sold (as of October 2021)[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 42–106 m (137 ft 10 in – 347 ft 9 in) |
| Width | 2,720 mm (8 ft 11 in) (UK) 2.82–2.88 m (9 ft 3 in – 9 ft 5 in) 3,200 mm (10 ft 6 in) (NSB) 3,480 mm (11 ft 5 in) (FLIRT G) |
| Height | 4,185 mm (13 ft 8.8 in) 4,120 mm (13 ft 6 in) (FLIRT 3) |
| Maximum speed | 200 km/h (125 mph) |
| Weight | 76–206 t (75–203 long tons; 84–227 short tons) |
| Traction system | ABBIGBT-VVVF |
| Power output | 1,300–4,500 kW (1,700–6,000 hp) |
| Acceleration | 0.8–1.3 m/s2 (1.8–2.9 mph/s) |
| UIC classification | Bo′2′2′2′Bo' |
| AAR wheel arrangement | B-2-2-2-B (four-section train) |
| Track gauge | |
Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train,[2]German:Flinker Leichter Innovativer Regional-Triebzug) is a passengermultiple unit trainset made byStadler Rail of Switzerland. The baseline design of FLIRT is an electric multiple unitarticulated trainset that can come in units of two to twelve cars with two to six motorized axles. The maximum speed is 200 km/h (125 mph). Standard floor height is57 cm (22+7⁄16 in), but78 cm (30+11⁄16 in) high floors are also available for platform heights of76 cm (29+15⁄16 in).
The FLIRT train was originally developed for theSwiss Federal Railways and was first delivered in 2004. The trains quickly became a success and were ordered by operators[3] in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Canada, the Czech Republic,[4] Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[5] As of October 2021, more than 2500 units have been sold.[6]
Aside from being electric (EMU), the FLIRT is available in diesel-electric (DEMU),battery-electric, bi-modeEDMU, tri-mode diesel/overhead electric/battery (see also:Stadler WINK), and more recently hydrogenfuel cell versions. Bi-mode models were first ordered byItaly'sAosta Valley region as (BTR.813),[7][8][9][10] then byGreater Anglia as theBritish Rail Class 755,[11][12][13] andNorske Tog.[14] Tri-mode versions were first ordered byWales & Borders.[15] Hydrogen fuel-cell versions were first ordered byArrow inSan Bernardino County, California, USA.
The FLIRT is a new generation of multiple units, even though the first versions resembleGTW vehicles. The trains can have two to six sections and electric variants are available for all commonly used power supply systems (AC and DC) as well asstandard andbroad gauge. It hasJacobs bogies shared between the individual coaches, with wide walk-through gangways. The floor height at the entrances can be chosen by the operator, providing level boarding at most stations.Automatic couplers of either Schwab type (on all Swiss units) orScharfenberg type at both ends of the train allow up to four trains to be connected.
All FLIRT variations useIGBT-based traction converters fromABB, which drive the TSAinduction motors located in the two bogies at either end of the train. On the two-section trains, only one bogie is powered, while on longer versions it is possible to have a third powered bogie in the middle, found on the trains forVy in Norway and forPKP Intercity in Poland. Each bogie usually has a continuous power rating of 1,000 kW (1,300 hp) giving a typical four-section train 2,000 kW (2,700 hp) total power output as well as maximum power output of 2,600 kW (3,500 hp) over a short time. Depending on the number of powered bogies, the length and weight, they will reach top speeds between 120 and 200 km/h (75 and 124 mph) (typically 160 km/h or 99 mph). Acceleration also varies between 0.8 and 1.2 m/s2 (2.6 and 3.9 ft/s2).
The diesel, bi-mode electro-diesel, hybrid diesel-battery, battery, and hydrogen fuel cell versions are essentially baseline design with an additional non-passenger car inserted in the trainset – called aPowerPack car – which contains the electricity-generating and storage components, such as diesel engines and batteries, that provide electricity to the train to runoff-wire. It has a gangway through the centre to allow passengers to pass between the two parts of the train.
In theTEXRail application, the diesel power module contains two 520 kilowatts (700 hp)Deutz AG TCD 16.0 V8 engines that comply with theUS EPA Tier 4 emission standard.[16]
On March 22, 2024 Stadler's FLIRT H2 hydrogen multiple unit secured aGuinness World Record for the longest distance achieved by a hydrogen fuel cell multiple unit without refueling.[17]
On 18 March 2006, the Algerian operatorSNTF announced that it had ordered 64 four-car EMUs for suburban services inAlgiers.[18] The trains were delivered between 2008 and 2010.[19]
In November 2019, it was announced thatAzərbaycan Dəmir Yolları (Azerbaijan Railways) had placed a €115 million order for tenRussian-gauge Stadler FLIRT units in various configurations, for delivery to begin in 2022.[20][21]
The order specification is as follows:[22]
Train length is to range between93 and 107 m (305 ft1+3⁄8 in and 351 ft5⁄8 in), with capacity varying from 236 to 271 passengers.
Because the Azerbaijan Railway is currently converting theelectrification voltage of many lines on its network from3 kV DC to25 kV AC, the diesel fleet will be introduced first, allowing the service to be upheld during this conversion process.
In December 2023, the first DMU DŞ1-001 has been delivered to Azerbaijan Railways.
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TenRussian-gauge units were delivered to theBelarusian Railways[23] in 2011. Six more were delivered from 2013 to 2014.[24]
The trains are mostly used on various suburban routes aroundMinsk, such asMinsk-Pasažyrski toMinsk National Airport. The Stadler FLIRT trains are also used as inter-regional transport in Belarus, on the routes Minsk–Homieĺ,[25] and Minsk–Brest.[26]
Two Stadler FLIRT units with an interior optimised for longer distance (EPm-class) were delivered toBelarus in 2015 to 2016,[27] and in January 2019, ten more of these trains were ordered for delivery in 2020.[28]
The city of Ottawa put 7 Stadler FLIRTs into service onO-Train Line 2 in 2025 to increase capacity, replacing the Coradia LINTs, which have been moved to line 4.[29]
Line 2 is a combination of frequent rapid transit and suburban regional rail, serving both as the inner city's main north-south route and also railway to the Riverside South suburb.
The Czech private operatorLEO Express ordered five units.[4] Units are modified asInterCity trains. All five units have operated on thePrague–Ostrava line since December 2012. Since December 2013 one unit is operated on thePrague–Staré Město u Uherského Hradiště and since December 2014 one unit is operated on the international routePrague–Košice (Slovak Republic). The maximum speed of these units is 189 km/h (117 mph)[citation needed], but in service it is limited to 160 km/h (99 mph).
On 9 October 2024, the local railway operatorLokaltog formally signed a contract for the supply of 14 two-car units of the battery–electric Akku model with an option for 10 more. They are scheduled to be delivered in 2028.[30]
Elron ordered 18 electric (6 four-car and 12 three-car) and 20 diesel (6 four-car, 8 three-car and 6 two-car) broad-gauged trains. By June 2014 all 38 trains were delivered. This has been the first time FLIRT DMUs were produced.[31] First five trains went into service on 1 July 2013 and by January 2014 all old trains were replaced by the new ones. On 16 April 2014 one of the new DMUs that had been operating for just five months had an accident nearRaasiku, a collision with a truck.[32] The unit was badly damaged. It went back into service in 2015, and two damaged carriages were replaced.[33]In November 2014, Elron initiated an investigation into suspected flaws in some diesel trains. Two different build flaws were found in many of the trains and faulty components were replaced under warranty.[34]
81 four-section1,524 mm (5 ft)broad-gauged FLIRT units, classified asSm5 in the Finnish system, have been ordered by Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy (a joint venture between the cities ofHelsinki,Espoo,Vantaa andKauniainen[35]) for service on theHelsinki commuter rail network. The Sm5 units are leased by Pääkaupunkiseudun junakalusto to theHelsinki Regional Transport Authority, but they are currently operated by theVR Group.[36] The initial order in 2006 was for 32 trainsets. 9 further units were ordered in 2011 and 34 further units in 2014.[37]
The first Sm5 unit arrived in Finland on 11 November 2008.[38] Following preliminary testing the first unit was displayed to the public in Helsinki on 17 December 2008. During the remainder of on 2008 and for most of 2009 the Sm5 units were extensively tested in different parts of Finland.[39] The first unit entered passenger service on 18 November 2009.[40]
In November 2022,VR Group, the country's national rail operator, awarded Stadler Rail the contract to manufacture 20 new FLIRT 4 EMUs (but based on FLIRT G and without Jacobs bogies) with an additional option for 50 trainsets, classified asSm7, for longer-distanceVR commuter rail services. These trains will be partly manufactured in Switzerland with final assembly taking place in Poland and Belarus, and they are expected to enter service in spring 2026.[41]
TheCantus Verkehrsgesellschaft, a joint subsidiary of Hessische Landesbahn andHamburger Hochbahn, became the first German FLIRT operator when they received their first train in 2006. Their fleet consists of fourteen three-car and six four-car units.
Since December 2007Abellio Rail NRW has operated nine three-car and eight two-car FLIRT trains for regional routes betweenEssen,Hagen,Iserlohn andSiegen. This was the first time that a FLIRT with only two sections was ordered.
Also since December 2007WestfalenBahn uses fourteen three-car and five five-car trains for trains services in theTeutoburg Forest region.
In 2006DB Regio, a subsidiary ofDeutsche Bahn ordered five five-section vehicles for regional services on the German east coast. The trains were delivered in August 2007 and, until December 2019, were used on the routesRostock–Stralsund–Lietzow–Sassnitz (Hanse-Express),Sassnitz–Stralsund andBinz–Lietzow. Since October 2020, they run the RB17 (Wismar – Ludwigslust).
The biggest order from Germany so far came in October 2006 from the leasing companyAngel Trains Europa when they ordered 25 four-car FLIRT trains. All 25 units have been leased toEurobahn who uses them on theHellweg Network inNorth Rhine-Westphalia.[42] Only a year later, in November 2007, Angel Trains ordered four more four-car and fourteen five-car trains that will also be used by Eurobahn.[43] In 2017, Eurobahn also took over theWestfalenBahn operation of the Teutoburger-Wald-Network, taking over 18 FLIRT 1 units, as well as ordering eight new FLIRT 3 units.[44]
On theInnoTrans 2008, a trade fair focused on rail transport,Vias announced their order for twelve four-section and seven three-section units. Starting in December 2010, the trains were put on theFrankfurt–Koblenz route.[45] The same year, the Hessische Landesbahn (HLB) started to operate three three- and five six-car FLIRT units on the Frankfurt – Gießen – Siegen line.
Starting in December 2013, the Bayerische Oberlandbahn, calledBayerische Regiobahn (BRB) since 2020, uses three three-car and 28 six-car FLIRTs for their Meridian services, which run between Munich-Salzburg and Kufstein. Since August 2014, the ownership of the trains was transferred toAlphaTrains, only to be leased back for the Meridian.
From December 2014 on, the RE 1 (Koblenz – Trier (– Luxembourg /) – Saarbrücken – Ludwigshafen – Mannheim), RE 2 (Koblenz – Frankfurt), RE 4 (Frankfurt (Main) – Mainz – Ludwigshafen – Karlsruhe), RE 14 (Frankfurt (Main) – Mainz – Ludwigshafen – Mannheim), are operated with FLIRT 3 units, with the RE 1 being coupled with a CFL-operated KISS between Trier and Koblenz.[citation needed]
Go-Ahead Germany ordered 45 units in 2016 for delivery in 2019.[46][47]
Transdev ordered 64 three-car units in November 2018, planned to enter service in 2021 onHanover S-Bahn lines.[48] In June 2019, Transdev subsidiary NordWestBahn awarded Stadler a €100m order to supply 16 FLIRT electric multiple-units for the Bremen/Niedersachsen S-Bahn services. The trains will enter service starting December 2022.[49]
In July 2019, Schleswig-Holstein rail authority NAH.SH awarded Stadler a €600m order for 55 battery-powered FLIRT Akku multiple unit trains along with maintenance for 30 years. The trains, which offer 150 km (93 mi) of battery range, were originally scheduled to enter operations in 2022 to replace DMUs on non-electrified routes.[50] Regular operations began in October 2023.[51]
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MÁV operates 123 units, while GYSEV operates twenty units from this series (2019).
It is planned that the first sixty units will be equipped with ETCS L2 signaling, control and train protection system, while all newer units are already equipped with ETCS L2. The units will also receive the blue and white colour scheme.
In Italy FLIRT units are used by six regional railways, with total units ordered and built divided among the following companies:
Ferrovie del Gargano: ETR 330, single voltage to 3 kV DC, maximum speed 160 km/h (99 mph). Fleet: three units.[58]
Ferrotramviaria: ETR 340, single-voltage 3 kV DC, maximum speed 160 km/h (99 mph). Fleet: four units.[59]
SAD used on Pustertal Railway, ETR 155 and ETR 170. Dual-voltage 15 kV AC and 3 kV DC. Fleet: four ETR 155 and six ETR 170. In July 2011 have been ordered eight new units for routes within the jurisdiction of SAD. As of 2020[update] there are eight FLIRT dual-voltage units, 001–008 (005–008 ex ETR 155), and 24 ETR 170.1 and 170.2 dual- and tri-voltage units (3 kV DC, 15 kV AC, 25 kV 50 Hz)[60]
Sistemi Territoriali: ETR 340 single-voltage 3 kV DC, maximum speed 160 km/h (99 mph). Fleet: two units from 2008,[61] four and sixteen FLIRT units ordered in 2009. The FLIRTs ordered in 2009 will be built in conjunction with AnsaldoBreda: Stadler Rail will produce end units, traction systems and onboard auxiliary, and bogies, whileAnsaldoBreda will produce intermediate cars, final assembly, and delivery to the operators at the plant in Pistoia.[62]
Tilo (Switzerland and Italy):[63] RABe 524/ETR 150 dual-voltage 15 kV AC, 3 kV DC. Maximum speed 160 km/h (99 mph). The first 19 units of this type to be delivered were four sections long, followed by eleven units which are six sections long and equipped withETCS Level 2.[64]
Ferrovie Emilia Romagna: Twelve units constructed with AnsaldoBreda: Stadler Rail will produce end units, traction systems and onboard auxiliary, end engines, whileAnsaldoBreda will produce intermediate cars and handle final assembly and delivery to the operators at the plant in Pistoia.[62][65]
Valle d'Aosta region (licensed toTrenitalia): BTR 813, electric multiple units with maximum speed of160 km/h (99 mph) and diesel multiple units with maximum speed of 140 km/h (87 mph)
On 21 June 2023, Lithuanian passenger rail operatorLTG Link announced that it has ordered nine 5-car Stadler FLIRT EMUs and six 3-car FLIRT battery-electric multiple units,[66][67] along with an option for a further 13 electric and 26 battery-electric units.[68] The trainsets are expected to began testing in 2025 with a projected entry to service in 2026.[69]
On 23 April 2015 the Netherlands' railway operatorNederlandse Spoorwegen announced that it was ordering 58 Stadler FLIRT EMUs, comprising 25 four-car units and 33 three-car units, to be delivered by the end of 2016.[70][71] The very short delivery deadline (20 months), to meet capacity needs, allowed NS to invoke 'urgency mode' provisions in EU procurement rules and place the order without tendering. The 58 FLIRT EMUs for NS were produced at Stadler's plant inSiedlce, Poland, 92 km east of Warsaw, following the order which that plant completed forPKP Intercity in Poland.[72] Meanwhile, Arriva Nederland also ordered two- and three-car units for operation in the province ofLimburg.
As of 2023[update], FLIRT 2, 3 and 4 EMUs are in service in the Netherlands with the following operators:
50 Flirt units were ordered byVy (formerly Norwegian State Railways (NSB)), with a further 100 on option. 26 units were placed onOslo Commuter Rail and the remaining 24 units were used on regional and express routes.[73] During spring and summer 2012 all Flirt trains used by Vy were fitted with free wireless Internet access for passengers. In Vy's system, the FLIRT trains are classified asClass 74 for regional trainsets andClass 75 for local trainsets.
All trains will be five-car sets; unlike previous five-car FLIRTs each will have a third powered bogie giving it a maximum power output of 4,500 kW (6,000 hp) and a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).[74] Trial runs started on theBergen Line in 2009, using anSBB-CFF-FFS unit. The first units were scheduled to enter passenger service on 29 February 2012. The FLIRT's introduction was delayed after a unit derailed during tests by NSB on 15 February 2012, injuring five people. The train was running much too fast, and there were no safety systems along the railway to catch the driver's error.[75][76]
The first train entered regular service on 2 May 2012 on the line from Skien to Lillehammer.[77] The last of the 50 trains was delivered on 24 January 2014.[78] Vy had ordered a further 57 trains, for a total of 107, as of October 2015. In 2017 an order for additional 18 was placed, for a total of 125, forty of which are short regional trains, and the rest local commuter trains. In July 2018, 36 short regional and 64 local commuter trains had been delivered.
Local Class 75 trains are configured with five seats (2+3) abreast. The Class 74 regional trains were also delivered with 2+3 seating on regional trains except in the premium "Komfort" section that had 2+2 seating. Significant passenger complaints over cramped seating led Vy to reconfigure the regional trains into 2+2 seating in 2014.[79]
These fleets have800 mm (31+1⁄2 in) floor without steps. Many Norwegian platforms are too low for this floor height, so they will have to be raised to550 mm (21+5⁄8 in) platform height.[note 1] These fleets cannot operate on low-platform lines such as the Bergen Line, the Sørlandet Line west of Kongsberg, and the Dovre Line north of Lillehammer. Raised platforms will be matched with conventional train steps; vertical gaps between this fleet and platforms will remain.
In 2018 the last options were used, which includes 25 trainsets, most of which include the Class 75 and 74 that are set to operate on Gjøvikbanen and Vossebanen.
The two last are bi-mode trains namedClass 76. These are similar to the FLIRT 3s owned by Greater Anglia in the UK but each will have an extra carriage for diesel generators in order to operate on tracks without electrification and as fully electric on electrified parts of the railway.
In total 14 trainsets of the bi-modal Class 76[80] will be delivered to serve Trønder Commuter Rail as well as the Meråker and Røros Lines. These will replace the aging Class 92's built by Duewag which are fully diesel. All this is included in Bane Nor (Norway's Rail Management Agency) and Jernbaneverkets's plan to finally modernize the Trøndelag Railways, which have outdated buildings and infrastructure. These lines were partially electrified, between Støren and Trondheim, by 2021, with further electrification to be implemented.[81]
In November 2022 the final 150th train set was delivered.[82]
In February 2023 Norway ordered 17 FLIRT NEX long-distance trains, with the option of up to 100 train sets, to enter testing in 2025 and service on theBergen Line in 2026, replacing end-of-life trainsets on the line. These will be classified as 'Class 79' and have 8 wagons including reclining seats, flexible sleeping compartments that can be used as private seating areas during daytime use, bistro, and a family area.[83]
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Koleje Mazowieckie in 2008 bought 10 four-car 3 kV DC (class ER75) units for services in theWarsaw region.Koleje Śląskie (KŚ) bought four four-car 3 kV DC units (class EN75) for service inSilesia.Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna[84] (ŁKA) in 2012 ordered 20 two-car FLIRT3 units for service in the region aroundŁódź, for delivery by February 2015.[85]PKP Intercity in August 2013 ordered 20 eight-car 3 kV DC FLIRT3 units (class ED160) with interiors for long-distance travel and top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph), for service on four long-distance routes in Poland, from a consortium of Stadler Polska andNewag for delivery by October 2015.[86] In 2018Koleje Mazowieckie started another order of total 61 five-car 3 kV DC FLIRT3 units (class ER160) in five batches slated for deliveries from 2020 to 2022.[87] In 2019PKP Intercity ordered further twelve eight-car 3 kV DC FLIRT3 units for deliveries through 2023.[88]
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In October 2020,Comboios de Portugal have ordered a delivery of 22 FLIRT units in1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) for the renewal of its regional fleet, these are the first FLIRT trains in the Iberian Peninsula.[89] The order of 22 trains comprises 10electric units (EMUs) and 12bimodal units (BMUs). They will consist of three aluminium car-bodies with a maximum capacity for 375 passengers, 214 of them seated, with one additional generator car in bimodal units[citation needed]. These trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 and 140 kilometres per hour, depending on the power source used. The trains will have a length of63.2 metres (207 ft4+1⁄4 in) (EMU) and74.4 metres (244 ft1+1⁄8 in) (BMU).[90] Delivery is delayed, and expected for October 2025.[91]
Serbian Railways operates 21 FLIRT 3 four-car EMUs with top speed of 160 km/h for regional traffic which were delivered in 2014 and 2015.[92] In 2022 further 18 units were ordered with deliveries expected to start from October 2023.[93] Trains are numbered ŽS 413/417.[94]
Slovenian Railways ordered eleven 235-passenger FLIRT EMUs (SŽ 510/515) and five 171-passenger DMUs (SŽ 610/615) in April 2018, for delivery by early 2020[95] and exercised an option for a further 10 EMUs and 16 DMUs in May 2019 for delivery by late 2021,[96] bringing the total order up to 21 four-car EMUs and 21 three-car DMUs. Together with 10Stadler KISS units there are 52 Stadler trainsets in Slovenia as of October 2022.[97]
Renfe'sCercanías division ordered 24 100 m (328 ft 1 in) trains and 55 200 m (656 ft 2 in) combined FLIRT/KISS EMUs classified asRenfe Class 453 [es] in1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) forCercanías Madrid andRodalies de Catalunya in 2021, which are expected to enter service in 2025, replacing older rolling stock dating from the 1970s to the early 1990s.[98][99] The 100 m variants will consist of two single-deck FLIRT end cars connected to twobilevel KISS intermediate cars, while the 200 m variants will feature two additional single-deck FLIRT intermediate cars.[100]
VR Snabbtåg Sverige (then MTRX) ordered six Flirt EMUs for inter-city operation betweenStockholm andGothenburg. They are very similar to the Norwegian units, maximum 200 km/h, but have more comfortable seats aimed for longer distances, and a small café area. The first unit was delivered in November 2014. They started customer operation in March 2015.[101]
TheSwiss Federal Railways were Stadler's first customer for the FLIRT when they ordered 42 units with options for 100 more in September 2002. The first vehicle was delivered in 2004 for the use on theStadtbahn Zug.[102]
Meanwhile, the Swiss Federal Railways have ordered a total of 117 units that can be broken down into four different types that differ in their equipment for driving in neighboring countries. The base version is theclass RABe 523 that is used on theStadtbahn Zug and theRER Vaud. These 43 4-section units can only be used within Switzerland. The 30 RABe 521 and 14 RABe 522 are versions that can also be used in Germany and France respectively. They also consist of four sections and are used on theBasel S-Bahn. The last version is the Italy-capable RABe 524/ETR 150 that is used onTreni Regionali Ticino Lombardia (TILO) services inTicino and northernItaly. The first 19 units of this type to be delivered were four sections long, and were followed by eleven units ordered that six-sections long and are additionally equipped with theETCS Level 2 train control system.[64]
In December 2018, SBB ordered seven trains, with an option of seven more. They will be manufactured 2019–2021. Each train has four single-deck cars, with a total of 27 seats in first class and 154 in second class. The SBB name is 'Mouette' (lit. 'Seagull').[103]
Besides the Swiss Federal Railways two other companies in Switzerland operate FLIRT trains: TheSüdostbahn (SOB) uses several trains with the designation RABe 526 (FLIRT and FLIRT-III, including theTraverso used asVoralpen Express,Treno Gottardo,Aare-Linth andAlpenrhein-Express). TheTransports Publics Neuchâtelois (TransN) owns three RABe 527 and four RABe 523 trains.
BLS ordered 58 six-car EMU sets in May 2017 for service onRegioExpress andBern S-Bahn routes, with delivery scheduled to take place between 2021 and 2026.[104]
In August 2016Greater Anglia selected Stadler FLIRTelectric andbi-mode units for theEast Anglia franchise to replace itsClass 90 electric locomotives,Mark 3 carriages andDriving Van Trailers,Class 153,156 and170 diesel multiple units, andClass 379 electric multiple units. This comprised 14 three-car and 24 four-car bi-mode multiple units (Class 755) and 20 twelve-car electric multiple units (Class 745) (of which ten will be used forStansted Express and ten for Intercity services).[105]
In June 2018,KeolisAmey Wales announced it would purchase 35 FLIRT trains: 24 (seven three-car and 17 four-car) tri-modeClass 756 units and eleven four-car diesel-electricClass 231 units for theSouth Wales Metro.
On 9 June 2015Trinity Metro signed a contract for the supply of eight four-car articulated FLIRT3diesel-electric multiple units for theTEXRail commuter line, which opened in January 2019. The contract was signed at a ceremony held atFort Worth Central Station. The contract is valued at $107 million, and includes the supply of components for 10 years. The contract also includes an option for an additional 24 DMUs. This is Stadler's first order for its FLIRT family in the US (previous orders have been for the GTW), and the first to include federal funding and thus be subject to theBuy America Act. As such, one element of the contract is that the final assembly of the trains will take place in the US, and several assembly sites such as inLewisville were considered for the facility. Stadler eventually leased space from theUtah Transit Authority in their former Union Pacific shops inSalt Lake City, Utah.
Public unveiling events for the completed American-built FLIRT units occurred in bothAtlanta, Georgia on 9 October 2017 and Salt Lake City, on theSalt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway, on 13 October 2017 as Stadler broke ground for their permanent Salt Lake facility.[106][107][108][109]
Three two-car FLIRT sets were built for theArrowcommuter rail service inRedlands, California,[110] which started operation in 2022.[111] The $31.4 million contract includes the vehicles themselves, spare parts, and training for servicing and operation.[112] In November 2019, theSan Bernardino County Transportation Authority ordered an additional FLIRT powered viahydrogen fuel cell, the first such train in the United States.[113] In September 2022, an order of four additional hydrogen-powered trains was announced by Stadler andCalSTA forAmtrak California inter-city services.[114]
Eight four-car sets are to enter service withDallas Area Rapid Transit on theSilver Line when it opens in 2026.[115][116][117]
In February 2024,Metra ordered 16 of the battery–electric Akku model, expected to be delivered in late 2027, for use on the Beverly Branch of theRock Island Line orNorth Central Service.[118][119]
On 1 July 2014 Latvian rail operatorPasažieru vilciens announced that it would acquire FLIRT trains as part of a hire/purchase contract,[120] however Pv ownerLatvian Railways ultimately withdrew the contract and no procurement went ahead.
| Class | Operator[note 2] | No. built | Year built | Cars per set | Unit nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan | ||||||
| EŞR | Azerbaijan Railways CJSC | 3 | 5 | EŞR-001 – EŞR-003 | FLIRTG EMU R (25 kV,1520 mm gauge), designed for regional traffic.[132] The 'G' indicates that they comply withGOST standards.[133] | |
| EŞI | 3 | EŞI-001 – EŞI-003 | FLIRTG EMU IR (25 kV,1520 mm gauge), designed for interregional traffic.[132] | |||
| DŞI | 4 | DŞI-001 – DŞI-004 | FLIRTG DMU IR (1520 mm gauge), designed for interregional traffic.[134] | |||
| Canada | ||||||
| FLIRT3 | OC Transpo | 7 | 2021 | 4 | C10–C16 | For use on theTrillium Line. DEMU |
| Czech Republic | ||||||
| 480 | LEO Express | 5 | 5 | 408 001 – 408 005 | 3 kV DC EMU used onPrague–Ostrava–Žilina–Košice.[135][136] | |
| Estonia | ||||||
| Elron | 12 | 2012–2013 | 3 | FLIRT EMU (3 kV),1520 mm gauge.[137][138] | ||
| 6 | 4 | |||||
| 6 | 2 | FLIRT DEMU,1520 mm gauge.[139][140] | ||||
| 8 | 2012–2014 | 3 | ||||
| 6 | 4 | |||||
| Finland | ||||||
| Sm5 | VR | 81 | 2008–2017 | 4 | 01–32,[141] 33–41,[142] | FLIRT EMU (25 kV AC),1524 mm gauge. Owned by Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy, leased to theHelsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL), operated by VR, used on theHelsinki commuter rail network. |
| SmX | 20 | 4 | FLIRT EMU (25 kV AC),1524 mm gauge.[143] | |||
| Germany | ||||||
| BR 429.0 | DB Regio AG | 5 | 5 | 429 026 – 030 | FLIRT EMU (15 kV).[144] | |
| BR 429.1 | 28 | 5 | 429 100 – 429 127 | FLIRT3 EMU operated onSÜWEX (Südwest Express) line inRhineland-Palatinate.[145][146] These EMU's are coupled withCFL KISS EMU's betweenKoblenz Hbf andTrier Hbf. | ||
| BR 6526 | 44 | 2 | 6526 001 – 6526 044 | FLIRT AkkuBEMU 2-4/8 (withoutjacobs bogies) operated onPalatinate railway lines in Germany.[147] One side is designated BR 6526 while the other side is designated BR 6826. | ||
| BR 426.1 | Abellio Rail NRW | 8 | 2 | ET 22 005 ET 22 005 | FLIRT EMU (15 kV) operated onRuhr-Sieg-Netz (Essen-Siegen, Essen-Hagen, Hagen-Iserlohn and Hagen-Siegen).[148] Currently operated byDB Regio AG. | |
| BR 427.1 | 9 | 3 | ET 23 005 ET 23 005 | |||
| BR 3427 | 17 | 3 | 3427 001 – 3427 017 | FLIRT 3XL EMU operated on S-Bahn Rhein-Ruhr.[149] Currently operated byDB Regio AG. | ||
| BR 3429 | 24 | 5 | 3429 001 – 3429 024 | |||
| BR 1429 | 14 | 5 | ET 25 2201 – ET 25 2214 | 15 kV FLIRT3 EMU operated inNorth Rhine-Westphalia.[150][151] Currently operated byVIAS Rail. | ||
| BR 2429 | 7 | 5 | ET 25 2301 – ET 25 2307 | Multi-system FLIRT3 EMU (1.5+15+25 kV) equipped for services to the Netherlands (Düsseldorf Hbf -Arnhem Centraal).[150][151] Currently operated byVIAS Rail inNorth Rhine-Westphalia. | ||
| BR 1427 | Go-Ahead, nowArverio | 13 | 3 | ET 3[152] | FLIRT 3 EMU operated inBaden-Württemberg. | |
| BR 1428 | 9 | 4 | ET 4 | |||
| BR 1429 | 19 | 5 | ET 5[152] | |||
| BR 1430 | 14 | 6 | ET 6 | |||
| BR 3427 | 11 | 3 | ET 9.01 – ET 9.11 | FLIRT 3XL EMU operated inBaden-Württemberg,Murrbahn.[153] | ||
| BR 2429 | Eurobahn | 8 | 5 | ET 4.01 – ET 4.08 | 15 kV FLIRT3 EMU, leased from Alpha Trains. Multi-system and equipped for services to the Netherlands (Hengelo -Bielefeld Hbf). | |
| BR 1429 | 5 | 5 | ET 4.21 – ET 4.25 | 15 kV FLIRT3 EMU, leased from Alpha Trains.[154] | ||
| BR 428 | 25 | 4 | ET 5.01 – ET 5.25 | 15 kV FLIRT EMU.[155] | ||
| BR 428 | 4 | 4 | ET 6.01 – ET 6.04 | 15 kV FLIRT EMU. Used on RE13 route to the Netherlands (Venlo -Hamm (Westf)). | ||
| BR 429.0 | 14 | 5 | ET 7.01 – ET 7.14 | 15 kV FLIRT EMU. Used on RE13 route to the Netherlands (Venlo -Hamm (Westf)). | ||
| BR 427 | 14 | 3 | ET 8.01 – ET 8.14 | 15 kV FLIRT EMU. | ||
| BR 429.0 | 5 | 5 | ET 9.01 – ET 9.05 | 15 kV FLIRT EMU. | ||
| Hungary | ||||||
| 415 | MAV | 60[156] | 2007–2010 | 4 | FLIRT EMU (25 kV AC). | |
| GYSEV | 4 | 2012 | ||||
| MAV | 42[156] | 2013 | ||||
| GYSEV | 6 | |||||
| MAV | 21 | 2015 | ||||
| 435 | GYSEV | 10 | 2016 | FLIRT3 EMU (25 kV AC).[157] | ||
| Netherlands | ||||||
| FLIRT-II | Abellio | 6 | 2015-2016 | 2 | 2010-2015 | FLIRT3 EMU (1.5 kV) operated on routeGouda -Alphen aan den Rijn.[158] |
| FLIRT-III | NS Reizigers | 33 | 2015–2017 | 3 | 2201–2233 | FLIRT3 EMU (1.5 kV)[159][160] operated onHoofdrailnet (South Eastern parts of the Netherlands).[161] Nicknamed "FFF"—"Flirt Fast Forward". |
| FLIRT-IV | 25 | 4 | 2501–2525 | |||
| FLIRT-III | Keolis Nederland | 9 | 2017 | 3 | 7301–7309 | FLIRT3 EMU (1.5 kV) operated on regional servicesZwolle–Enschede and Zwolle–Kampen |
| FLIRT-IV | 7 | 4 | 7401–7407 | |||
| FLIRT-III | Keolis Nederland(RRReis) | 2 | 2017 | 3 | 5038–5039 | FLIRT3 EMU (1.5 kV). FormerConnexxion units for use on theValleilijn betweenEde-Wageningen andAmersfoort. |
| FLIRT-II | Arriva Nederland | 15 | 2016 | 2 | 450–464 | FLIRT3 EMU (1.5 kV) operated on regional services inLimburg. |
| FLIRT-III | Arriva Nederland | 13 | 2023 | 3 | 560–572 | FLIRT3 EMU (1.5 kV) operated on regional services in Limburg. |
| FLIRT-IIImc | Arriva Nederland | 8 | 2017–2018 | 3 | 550–557 | Multi-system FLIRT3 EMU suitable for Belgium (3 kV), the Netherlands (1.5 kV) and Germany (15 kV).[162] These units were refitted with ECTS between 2021 and 2023 for operations in Belgium in order to operate a service betweenAachen -Heerlen -Maastricht -Liège. |
| Norway | ||||||
| 74 | Vy | 53[163] | 2010–2022 | 5 | FLIRT Nordic EMU (15 kV)[164] operated on regional services (Eastern parts of Norway). | |
| 75 | 63[165] | 2012–2020 | FLIRT Nordic EMU (15 kV)[164] operated onOslo Commuter Rail | |||
| 75–2 | Vy Gjøvikbanen Vy Tog | 20[166] | 2017–2019 | FLIRT Nordic EMU (15 kV)[164] operated onGjøvik Line,Bergen Commuter Rail | ||
| 76 | SJ Norge | 14 | 2020–2021 | FLIRT NT BMU (diesel/battery/15 kV) used onTrøndelag/Trondheim Commuter Rail,Røros Line.[167][80] | ||
| Norske tog AS | 8 | 8 | FLIRT Nordic Express. Type A: EMU (15 kV+25 kV) with day and night configuration.[168] | |||
| 4 | 7 | FLIRT Nordic Express. Type B: BMU (15 kV+25 kV+diesel) with day and night configuration. Car 'A' is a dedicated 'powerhead' for traction.[169] | ||||
| 3 | 8 | FLIRT Nordic Express. Type C: EMU (15 kV+25 kV) with day configuration.[170] | ||||
| 2 | 8 | FLIRT Nordic Express. Type D: EMU (15 kV+25 kV) with day configuration and a cargo car.[171] | ||||
| Poland | ||||||
| EN 75 | Koleje Śląskie | 4 | 2008 | 4 | FLIRT EMU (3 kV) for regional services inSilesia.[172] | |
| ER 75 | Koleje Mazowieckie | 10 | 2008 | 4 | FLIRT EMU (3 kV) for regional services inMazovia.[173][174] | |
| LM-4268 | Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna | 20 | 2014-2015 | 3 | FLIRT3 EMU operated on regional services inŁódź metropolitan area. Initially 2 cars per set, later extended to 3 cars.[175] | |
| ED 160 | PKP Intercity | 20 | 2015 | 8 | FLIRT3 EMU (3 kV).[176][177] Used for routes connecting major cities.[178] | |
| 12 | 2022-2023 | |||||
| ER 160 | Koleje Mazowieckie | 61 | 2020-2023 | 5 | FLIRT3 EMU operated on regional services in Mazovia. | |
| 75 | 2025- | 5 | Upon delivery, Koleje Mazowieckie will become the largest single operator of FLIRT trains. | |||
| Spain | ||||||
| Adif | 3 | 162-010 – 162-012 | FLIRTEDMU (3 kV + 25 kV) used for testing and measurements; two are built for1668 mm gauge (010 and 012) and one for1435 mm gauge (011). Nicknamed "Doctor Green".[179] | |||
| FGC | 4 | 3 | FLIRT EMU (3 kV) operated in Lleida.[180] | |||
| T100 | Renfe | 24 | 4 | FLIRT HC EMU (3 kV).[181] | ||
| T200 | 35 + 20 | 8 | ||||
| Switzerland | ||||||
| RABe 523.0 | SBB CFF FFS | 43 | 2004–2005 | 4 | 523 001–523 043 | FLIRT EMU used in theStadtbahn Zug and in theRER Vaud as RABe 523. |
| RABe 521.0 | 30 | 2004–2006 | 521 001–521 010[182] 521 011–521 030[183] | FLIRT EMU (15 kV) operated in theRegio S-Bahn Basel as RABe 521 they also have a permit for Germany.[184] | ||
| RABe 521.2 (RABe 526.6) | 9 | 521 201–521 209[185] | 15 kV FLIRT EMU. Originally numbered RABe 526 651 – 526 659. | |||
| RABe 524.0 | 19 | 2007–2008 | 524 001 – 524 019[186][187] | Multi-system FLIRT EMU (3+15 kV). First set of regional trains for theTILO network in Ticino and the Lombardia-Region (Italy), used as RABe 524 and also holds a permit for Italy. | ||
| RABe 527.3 | TransN | 3 | 2007–2009 | 527 331–527 333 | Used as regional trains andRegioExpress. | |
| RABe 526.0 | SOB | 23 | 2007–2013 | 526 041 – 526 051[188] 526 052 – 526 063 | FLIRT EMU (15 kV AC). Used onLucerne S-Bahn lineS31,St. Gallen S-Bahn linesS4 andS6,Zurich S-Bahn linesS13 andS40, and as extension set to "Traverso" (FLIRT-III) sets on the InterRegioVoralpen Express during peak hours. | |
| RABe 524.1 | SBB CFF FFS | 17 | 2010–2011 (2014) | 6 | 524 101 – 524 111,[187] 524 112 – 524 117[187] | Multi-system FLIRT EMU (3+15 kV). Second set of regional trains for theTILO network in Ticino and the Lombardia Region (Italy), used as RABe 524.1 and also holds a permit for Italy. As an improvement over the previous iteration, it now has 6 cars instead of 4 and a second onboard toilet. |
| RABe 527.1 | TPF | 8 | 2011–2014 | 4 | 527 191–527 198[189] | FLIRT EMU (15 kV) used asRER Fribourg and RegioExpress (Bern-Fribourg/Freiburg-Romont FR-Bulle-Broc-Chocolaterie) as RABe 527. |
| RABe 524.2 | SBB CFF FFS | 4 | 2014 | 524 201–524 204[187] | Multi-system FLIRT EMU (3+15 kV). Third set of regional trains for theTILO network in Ticino and the Lombardia Region (Italy), used as RABe 524.2 and also holds a permit for Italy. This model is back to 4 cars, but it has a brand new color theme to be applied to the original RABe 524 as well. | |
| RABe 523.0 | TransN | 2017 | 523 074 – 523 077[190] | FLIRT EMU. Used as regional trains and RegioExpress. | ||
| RABe 522.2 | SBB CFF FFS | 32 | (2011) 2017–2019 | 522 201 – 214,[191] 522 215 – 522 232[192] | FLIRT EMU (15+25 kV AC). Used in multiple regional lines and theLéman Express as RABe 522 they also have a permit for France | |
| RABe 524.3 | SBB CFF FFS | 14 | 6 | 524 301 – 524 305, 524 306 – 524 314 | Multi-system FLIRT3 EMU forTILO services.[193] | |
| RABe 526 | SOB | 6 | 2019–2021 | 4 | 526 001 – 526 006 | 15 kV FLIRT EMU. Used onSt. Gallen S-Bahn linesS4 andS6,Zurich S-Bahn linesS13 andS40, and as extension set to "Traverso" sets on InterRegio ines during peak hours.[194][153] |
| 23 | 2019–2021 | 8 | 526 101/201 – 526 117/217 | 15 kV FLIRT EMU. Also known as "Traverso" used on InterRegio lines over theGotthard Panoramaroute (Treno Gottardo), betweenBern andChur (Aare-Linth), and betweenLuzern andSt. Gallen (Voralpen Express).[194][153] | ||
| RABe 528 | BLS AG | 56 | 2021–2026 | 6 | 528 101–130, 528 201–228 | FLIRT EMU, also known as 'MIKA'. Used on theS-Bahn Bern network and on RegioExpress lines. |
| United Kingdom | ||||||
| 745/0 | Greater Anglia | 10 | 2018-2020 | 12[195] | 745001–745010 | EMU for Intercity services |
| 745/1 | 10 | 745101–745110 | EMU forStansted Express services | |||
| 755/4 | 24 | 4 | 755401–755424 | Bi-mode[196] | ||
| 755/3 | 14 | 3 | 755301–755314 | |||
| 756/0 | Transport for Wales | 7 | 2021–2023 | 3 | 756001 – 756007 | Tri-mode[197] |
| 756/1 | 17 | 4 | 756101 – 756117 | |||
| 231 | 11 | 2021–2022 | 231001 –231011 | DEMU[198] | ||
| United States | ||||||
| Trinity Metro | 8 | 2015–2018 | 4 | TEXRail DEMU #101–108 | TEXRail DEMU | |
| Metrolink | 3 | 2018–2022 | 2 | Arrow DEMU | ||
| 1 | 2019–2024 | Arrow Hydrail, on order | ||||
| Akku | Metra | 8[note 3] | 2024– | 2[note 4] | TBD | Battery electric multiple units for theRock Island District. On order. |
BORDLINE® CC750 DC Compact Converter is a rugged unit based on modern 3.3 kV IGBTs. It can control either one or two motors in parallel. This Compact Converter makes use of ABB's well-proven 3-level topology (…) BORDLINE® CC750 DC_3kV is mounted in Stadler's broad-gauge electrical trains of the type FLIRT for El- ron in Estonia. (…) BORDLINE® CC750 DC_3kV_M_1300
BORDLINE® CC750 DE Compact Converter is a compact and solid unit incorporating modern IGBT technology and can control one or two motors in parallel. With a constant high switching frequency of 2 kHz (…) The BORDLINE® CC750 DE is used in Stadler's diesel-electic fleet (GTW and FLIRT). The BORDLINE® CC750 DE version with supercapacitors is installed in Stadler's FLIRT DMU fleet for Elron, Estonia. (…) BORDLINE® CC750 DE_D_M_900
FDB0812d
BORDLINE® CC1500 AC is mounted in the electric multiple unit trains for DB Regio NRW in Nordrhein-Westfalen and DB Regio in Rheinland-Pfalz. The FLIRT3 trains produced by Stadler are equipped with a redundant ABB traction chain with two Compact Converters and two traction transformers.
ABB patented multilevel converter topology (…) BORDLINE® CC1500 AC is used in the trains of the type FLIRT and KISS for AB Transitio, BLS, Go-Ahead (Murrbahn), SOB and VRR. Each train is equipped with a redundant ABB traction chain with two Compact Converters and two traction transformers.
BORDLINE® CC750 DC_3kV_M_700 (…) This Compact Converter makes use of ABB's well-proven 3-level topology (…) BORDLINE® CC750 DC_3kV is in operation in Stadler's electrical multiple unit FLIRT in Mazovia (Poland) and Italy.
Media related toStadler FLIRT at Wikimedia Commons
