InnoTrans 2024: Stadler’s Latest Developments in Alternative Energy and Autonomous Train Control

At InnoTrans 2024, the Swiss company Stadler will focus on traction rolling stock powered by alternative energy sources and the latest train control systems, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Among the innovations presented will be numerous cutting-edge solutions.

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Various vehicles will be displayed in the outdoor area. One of them will be the RS ZERO railbus prototype, powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

This model will replace the diesel railbus Regio-Shuttle RS1, which has been in operation in the German market for 25 years. Nearly 500 of these buses are still in use in Germany.

The new RS ZERO will be available in one- and two-car configurations, accommodating between 70 and 150 passengers. A version with contact battery power is also planned.

Another innovation will be the next-generation CITYLINK tram-train. It features a low-floor design and is equipped with advanced traction drive systems, passenger information systems, signaling, and radio communications.

Stadler has already received orders for 246 of these trains from seven transport authorities in Germany and Austria. Under the framework agreement signed in January 2022, up to 504 units may be delivered.

Stadler will also showcase a hybrid six-axle locomotive of the 99 series for the UK. This locomotive can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h and a tractive effort of 500 kN, powered by both diesel and overhead lines.

The exhibition will also feature a KISS double-deck electric train for the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). The construction of these trains is carried out under a 2022 contract that provides for the delivery of up to 186 units.

Another interesting exhibit will be a hybrid-drive fire and rescue train for ÖBB Infrastruktur, the Austrian railway infrastructure operator.

Up to 20 of these trains, powered by overhead lines, batteries, and diesel, are being delivered under a 2020 contract.

For the passenger operator DB Regio of the German railways, a two-car contact battery train FLIRT Akku will be presented. In 2021, 44 of these trains were ordered.

Stadler will also show a low-floor DC electric train for the Swiss operator FART.

This train will be used on a meter-gauge line with sections including a cogwheel track. On sections without a cogwheel track, the train, powered by a 1200 V overhead line, can overcome gradients up to 60‰. It will be available in two-, three-, and four-car configurations.

Finally, a two-car section of a train for the Berlin metro’s small-profile lines will complete the exhibition. A contract for the delivery of up to 1,500 cars for the Berlin metro was signed in 2020.

In addition to vehicles, Stadler will debut the NOVA Pro radio-based train control system with GoA4 automation level.

This system allows for autonomous train control during shunting movements in depots and is already being implemented on the 750 mm gauge Waldenburgerbahn railway in Switzerland.

Another new development will be the digital EUROLOCKING interlocking system, which will comply with EULYNX specifications.

The InnoTrans 2024 exhibition promises to be packed with new products and innovations that will showcase Stadler’s cutting-edge achievements in railway transport and control systems.

Photo, source: Stadler

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