Stadler announced that it has started the production of a new product line, the WINK train model. The two-car multiple unit train will be constructed for Arriva Netherlands under a EUR 170 million contract for 18 two-car train sets. The contract also comprises the future conversion of the vehicles for zero emissions operation, as well as the upgrade of Arriva’s current 51 GTW units with a new passenger information system and battery packs for storing braking energy.
The for WINK train is designed for secondary lines with lower passenger volumes and can transport up to 275 people, with seats for around 150. It can reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h with maximum traction of 1000 kW.
The vehicle carries a central “PowerPack” containing components for energy generation, traction elements and auxiliary systems. The PowerPack can be fitted either with traditional components for energy generation and storage, or alternatively with elements that allow zero emissions operation.
The new trains for Arriva Netherlands are initially designed as bi-modal two-car multiple units. They are powered by a Deutz diesel engine fuelled with hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), and also have onboard batteries to store regenerated braking energy.
Thanks to the energy stored in the batteries, the diesel engines can be switched off when the trains are at a standstill for longer periods in stations. The WINK for Arriva Netherlands will be deployed as part of the contract won by Arriva to operate rail services on the Leeuwarden-Groningen route and other lines in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen in the northern Netherlands from 2020. Following the partial electrification of the Leeuwarden-Groningen route, which is expected to be complete by 2025, the vehicles will switch to zero emissions operation. The diesel engines will be replaced with batteries from this date.
The trains will then run on 1.5 kV direct current and use the energy stored in the batteries on the non-electrified parts of the route.
The WINK trains for Arriva are 55.5 metres long, 2.82 metres wide and 4.12 metres high.
The 18 new vehicles are expected to be put into commercial service in the course of 2020.
The name of the train, WINK, comes from a German acronym which stands for convertible, innovative short train for local transport.
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