Norwegian state-owned rolling stock leasing company Norske Tog has selected four suppliers for a contract to supply up to 100 new long-distance trains.

contract to supply up to 100 new long-distance trains.

It is reported by the railway magazine Railway Supply with reference to Norske Tog.

Alstom Transport Norway, CAF, Stadler and Talgo are eligible to bid for a framework contract for the supply of Class 79 trains with an initial order of 17 units worth NOK 6–8 billion (US$680–910 million).

The purpose of the tender is to procure a standard high-capacity train with a flexible operating concept to replace various types of vehicles in the existing fleet.

contract to supply up to 100 new long-distance trains.

The new trains will have sleeping compartments that can be converted to seating compartments during the day. Norske Tog also asked suppliers to provide “more affordable” sleeping options, including reclining seats similar to those used in business class on airliners.

The fleet will consist of electric and dual-mode (diesel and electric) trains, the latter of which will allow operation on non-electrified routes such as Trondheim-Bodø.

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As part of the tender, manufacturers will be asked to consider how to make operation more sustainable as traction technologies develop over the life cycle of a train.

The deadline for submission of bids is 29 April and the best and final bids must be submitted by November. Norske Tog expects to announce the winner of the auction in December.

contract to supply up to 100 new long-distance trains.

Norske Tog says production of the first trains will not begin until 2024 at the earliest, with first deliveries scheduled for 2025 and the fleet to be operational from 2026.

The introduction of Class 79 will allow for the phase-out of locomotive-hauled trains consisting of aging B5 and B7 cars.

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