Stadler Rail has received an order for an additional nine FLIRTs (Fast Light Innovative Regional Trains) from Junakalusto Oy in Finland.
This is an option from the 2006 contract to buy 32 FLIRTs for the Helsinki suburban railway system.
The first vehicles have been operating successfully for three years now. The trains are ‘especially robust in severe winter conditions such as those experienced in Finland’.
The total order value is €54 million. The vehicles, construction of which is due to be completed in 2014, are mainly for use on the new circular line to the airport.
Junakalusto Oy was founded as a rolling stock company in 2004 by the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen (total of 65%) and Finnish Railways VR Ltd (35%).
It buys and maintains rolling stock and makes it available to VR Ltd for operation.
A new line connecting the city centre with the international Helsinki Airport is currently under construction.
As of December 2014, there will be an additional suburban railway line, known as the circular line, operating along this route and connecting the centre and further parts of the greater Helsinki area to the airport.
This current order increases the fleet of 32 FLIRTs to 41 in order to serve this line.
Peter Spuhler, CEO and owner of Stadler Rail Group, is pleased about the follow-up order from Finland:
“The fact that this option for more FLIRTs has been exercised is evidence that the customer is very happy with the trains that have been in everyday use for three years now.
“We are proud of our broad-gauge FLIRT with its excellent resistance to severe winters. This vehicle is a perfect example of how innovative Stadler can be.”
Because of the wide 1524 mm gauge used in Finland, the greater clearance and, most importantly, the climatic conditions in Finland that can reach –40 degrees Celsius, the FLIRTs used in Helsinki are slightly different from the normal-gauge FLIRT.
In order to improve tolerance to harsh winter conditions, insulation is increased by 50–100% and the windows are triple-glazed. A heat recovery system has been added to the tried and tested air-conditioning system used in many FLIRTs.
The warm air extracted from the passenger compartment is used to preheat the cold, fresh air that is sucked in. This results in a substantial energy saving.
At the same time, heaters have been fitted in the door areas in order to keep the temperature inside as constant as possible when passengers embark and disembark.
The four-carriage trains have 260 seats, a good 80% low-flooring level, an accessible toilet and a multifunctional area for wheelchairs, prams or bicycles.
The Finnish carriage width of 3.2 metres (compared to around 2.9 metres in most countries in Europe) easily allows comfortable 3+2 seating. A state-of-the-art information system with 11 flat-screens provides information about the timetable, connecting trains or the weather.
Six emergency contact points allow passengers to contact the driver or conductor.
The train can achieve speeds of 160 km/h and will initially be operated using the Finnish EBICAB train control system, with plans for an upgrade to the European Train Control System (ETCS) at a later date.
