Austrian Federal Minister for Transport Alois Stöger has visited Siemens’ Krefeld plant in Germany for the official unveiling of the first Desiro ML regional trainset for ÖBB.
The electrical-multiple unit (EMU) is the first of 101 ordered by Austria’s national rail operator for regional and commuter services around the country.
Testing is now underway at the Wegberg-Wildenrath test and validation centre, with climatic testing due to start at Vienna’s Rail Tec Arsenal (RTA) in January 2015. Certification runs will then begin in March next year ahead of commissioning in the autumn.
Thirty-one three-car trains will be used for commuter services in Vienna and Lower Austria, 35 more will be put into service in Lower Austria, 18 in Styria and 17 in Upper Austria.
Siemens was awarded the €590 million contract in 2013. The manufacturer hopes to have delivered all 101 units by January 2018.
